Circuit bosses at Pembrey, the South Wales circuit, are planning an upgrade to the existing circuit that could see the return of the BTCC to the track. The BTCC last visited the Carmarthenshire venue back in 1993 and has not returned since, with the current infrastructure of the circuit deemed not good enough for the series to revisit.
The plan is to add a new 0.8 mile loop to the first section of the circuit, meaning that an extension would run from the present first corner and rejoin at the present second corner. The Hatchets hairpin would go from a tight first-gear turn into a sweeping right hander, leading to a new second and third turn before rejoining at the present Spitfires corner.
The news was first broken in yesterday’s Motorsport News and planning permission has already been granted from Carmarthenshire County Council. Speaking to the top national motorsport newspaper, circuit manager Phil Davies said: “Pembrey has become a favourite test venue for teams from high-profile series like British Formula Three and we are keen to build on that. The track has the potential to hold large meetings like the BTCC and we believe these upgrades will help us attract larger meetings here.”
The BARC, current owners of the circuit along with Thruxton and Croft, admitted they have long had plans to develop the circuit. “We have had plans to develop Pembrey for a while now but all action was halted by the problems at Croft last year,” said Dennis Carter, BARC Chief Executive. Croft has been faced with many problems regarding noise levels in recent years.
“We are definitely looking at increasing its [Pembrey’s] profile in the next few years,” added Carter.
Meanwhile, BTCC boss Alan Gow said on the subject: “Obviously we would be delighted to look at the suitability for Pembrey to (again) host a BTCC event in a few years time, once they have finished their planned upgrades to both the circuit and the infrastructure.”