Shenington Kart Circuit

About Shenington Kart Circuit

Shenington is one of the most historic names in British karting. The circuit sits on Edgehill Airfield near Banbury, on the Oxfordshire–Warwickshire border, and is run by Shenington Kart Racing Club, which held its first meeting here in February 1960 — drawing a reported five thousand spectators. In 2026 the club marks 65 years of racing on the site. The airfield has its own place in aviation history too: it was where the Gloster E28/39, Britain's first jet aircraft, ran trials in 1942, and the kart club still shares the site with Shenington Gliding Club.

The Circuit

The track can be run at 1,211m in its full gearbox configuration or around 1,018m for direct-drive classes, with nine marshal posts around the lap. This is a competition circuit first and foremost, and its heritage speaks for itself: it hosted rounds of the very first Kart World Championship in 1960 and 1961, and a remarkable list of drivers cut their teeth here. Nigel Mansell was a regular in the National classes, and David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Anthony Davidson all raced karts at Shenington before going on to Formula 1 careers.

Who Should Visit

Shenington is best understood as a racing club rather than a walk-up leisure centre. It runs a full championship calendar — ten rounds across the 2026 season, including named meetings such as the SuperPrix and May Day Speedfest — for owner-drivers competing in recognised kart classes. It is the natural home for anyone serious about club and championship karting in the Midlands and Oxfordshire.

That said, the club also provides a route in for newcomers, from a first arrive-and-drive taster through to full membership and championship racing. If you simply want a one-off casual thrash with friends, a rental-focused centre may suit better; if you want to learn to race properly on a circuit steeped in history, Shenington is hard to beat.

Planning Your Visit

Shenington Kart Circuit is on Edgehill Airfield near Banbury, Oxfordshire — postcode OX15 6NW. As an exposed former airfield it is very much an outdoor venue, and conditions can change quickly, so check the forecast and confirm your session is running before setting off.

Because most activity is club racing and structured sessions rather than drop-in rental, it is essential to check the calendar and book in advance. Confirm current race dates, membership requirements, taster availability and prices directly with Shenington Kart Racing Club before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions