Kirkistown Circuit, Motor racing circuit in Ards Peninsula, Northern Ireland

Kirkistown Circuit is a motor racing track on the Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland, built over the remains of a former RAF airfield. The layout includes four main corners and one long straight section that follows the path of the old runway.

The Five Hundred Motor Racing Club established the circuit in 1953, taking over the grounds of the RAF Kirkistown airfield that had been used as a satellite base during World War II. The club has continued to run the site ever since, making it one of the longest-running motorsport venues in the British Isles.

The corners of the track carry names tied to local people and places, such as Fisherman's Bend, which recalls the fishing community of Portavogie nearby. Walking around the circuit, visitors can notice how the track feels rooted in the area rather than just a generic racing venue.

The circuit hosts car races, motorcycle races, sprints, and other motorsport events at various points throughout the year. It is worth checking in advance whether an event is open to spectators, as access can vary depending on what is scheduled.

Kirkistown is the only permanent racing venue in Northern Ireland to hold an MSA licence, which means any driver in the region who wants to compete on an officially licensed track has just one option. This has given the club a role that goes beyond sport, since it is effectively the keeper of competitive motorsport for the whole region.

• GPS coordinates: 54.45600,-5.46900
• Latest update: March 3, 2026 14:04