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 Main Circuit (1968–present) | |
| Location | Hampshire, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°12′37″N1°36′2″W / 51.21028°N 1.60056°W /51.21028; -1.60056 |
| FIA Grade | 3 |
| Owner | Thruxton Circuit Ltd |
| Opened | 1950 |
| Major events | Current: BTCC (1979–present) BSB (1996–2019, 2021–present) Former: FIM Endurance World Championship Thruxton 500 (1960–1964, 1969–1977) TCR UK (2024) British F3 (1977–2008, 2010, 2014) British GT (1994–1996, 2000–2005, 2007–2008) BOSS Formula (1996, 1998–2000) Formula 3000 (1985) Formula Two (1968–1984) Formula 5000 (1970–1971, 1974–1975) |
| Website | https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/ |
| Main Circuit (1968–present) | |
| Length | 3.793 km (2.357 mi) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:01.960 ( Earl Goddard,Reynard 95D, 2000,F3000) |
| Main Circuit (1952–1964) | |
| Length | 4.437 km (2.757 mi) |
| Turns | 8 |
| Race lap record | 2:00.000 (Tony Rolt,Connaught Type A,1953,F2) |
| Original Circuit (1950–1952) | |
| Length | 3.042 km (1.890 mi) |
| Turns | 6 |
TheThruxton Circuit is a 2.356 mi (3.792 km) motor-racing circuit located near the village ofThruxton inHampshire,England,United Kingdom, about 30 mi (48 km) north ofSouthampton.
It has hosted motorsport events including theBritish Touring Car Championship,British GT Championship,British Formula One Championship,British Formula Three, andGB3 Championship. It is often referred to as the "Fastest Circuit in the UK" where drivers can reach speeds of over 190 mph (300 km/h). To illustrate this,Damon Hill drove his WilliamsFormula One car around the circuit at an average speed of 147 mph (237 km/h) in 1993.
The site also houses the headquarters of theBritish Automobile Racing Club (BARC).[1]
The site was originally constructed in 1942 asRAF Thruxton, aWorld War II airfield which was home to both theRAF andUSAAF and was used for troop-carrying aircraft and gliders, including operations during theD-Day landings.[2] Also, the paratroopers who took part in the successful Bruneval Raid (Operation Biting), in which German radar equipment was seized on the coast of France, took off from here.[3]
The circuit, which follows the line of the airfield's perimeter road, was established in 1968. From 1950 to 1965, motorbike races had taken place on the runways and perimeter road.[4]
Thruxton Circuit was resurfaced in 2000, resulting in lap times dropping considerably compared to the previous year. In 2020, further safety developments were completed atChurch, one of the fastest sections of the Thruxton Circuit.[5] A new spectator viewing area has been constructed aroundNoble, extending through towardsGoodwood.[6] In 2025, Thruxton introduced a new spectator area known as the Woodham Hill Bank, located on the approach to theClubchicane.[7]
Owing to planning restrictions, the circuit can only run 12 days of motorsport each year. Currently, three are devoted to motorbike racing, with a weekend dedicated to theBritish Superbike Championship, Britain's premier motorcycle racing category; with the third day being used for club racing.
The remaining days are devoted to car and truck racing with weekends being used for theTOCABritish Touring Car Championship, the British Truck Racing Championship, the Thruxton Retro and the remaining days are allocated to other organising clubs, such as the 750 Motor Club or the Classic Sportscar Club. Owing to the relative infrequency of race meetings, Thruxton continues to be a popular part of the motorsport calendar.
Notable current events and championships include:
Notable former championships and events include:
The all-time outright unofficial track record is 0:57.6 seconds, set byDamon Hill in aWilliams FW15C, during a demonstration run in 1993.[8] As of August 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the Thruxton Circuit are listed as:
