TeamSport to open £6m indoor go-karting track in Bicester
Indoor karting operator TeamSport has reached an agreement with industrial centre Bicester Motion to invest £6m into a new indoor electric go-kart centre.
The proposed two-storey track will be constructed within Bicester Motion’s Hangar 137, a 31,000 sq ft Grade II-listed building.
Bicester Motion will invest £4m to restore and rejuvenate the hangar whilst TeamSport will create a £2m 500 metre electric go-karting track, as it looks to boost grassroots and female motorsports.
A planning application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council proposing a change of use at the hangar for e-karting purposes, to deliver a viable use supporting the hangar’s repair and conservation.
TeamSport operates 40 e-karting centres across London and the UK which are open to adults and children aged eight onwards.
Bicester Motion’s 50-strong business community includes the likes of NEOM McLaren Electric Racing, Polestar’s UK HQ, Zapp, and synthetic fuel manufacturer Zero, amongst other specialist automative brands.
Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive of Bicester Motion said: “We warmly welcome TeamSport to Bicester Motion and our community. Being in the heart of Motorsport Valley and home to Motorsport UK’s HQ, the synergies are clear. Our estate is uniquely placed to offer this new experience for future young talent in Bicester and Oxfordshire and for the local community to enjoy and enable us to invest in sensitively restoring our much-loved hangar and secure its health for its second century.”
Dominic Gaynor, chief executive officer of TeamSport, added: “Our future talent starts on the go-kart track and for some time we have been looking to open in Motorsport Valley surrounded by the many F1 teams. Finding the right place and location were key and our new home at Bicester Motion is the perfect match. We will be providing an innovative and exhilarating new two-level track for everyone to enjoy and creating jobs in both the construction and operational phases. We look forward to progressing the planning application and starting work to deliver our latest adrenalin-filled indoor go-karting experience.”
Richard Morris Associates acted for TeamSport.