MotorSport Vision (MSV) operates a number of motor racing circuits in the UK, plus one in Spain, with another under development in France which is intended to be the world's first self-sufficient eco circuit. The MSV group also includes the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, the GB3 and GB4 single-seater championships, the PalmerSport corporate driving event at Bedford Autodrome, MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) and MotorSport Vision Trackdays (MSVT).
As the UK’s leading motor racing circuit owner, MSV fully recognises the importance of a) reducing the environmental impact of our venues and events, where practicable, b) maintaining strong relations with the community and c) having a clear commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
We are pleased to share some examples of this good practice at Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire. This is by no means a complete list, and our approach and policies will adapt, expand and evolve over time.
05.08.2023
- Oulton Park segregates its waste streams. Mixed recycling, tyres, oil, caravan waste and metals are disposed of separately by licensed contractors
- Biodegradable packaging was introduced across the catering outlets at the Chequers restaurant in 2021, as we look to move away from single-use plastics
- We use paper straws, offer recyclable wooden cutlery and use only recyclable coffee cups
- 90% of race meeting tickets are now sent digitally rather than being printed and posted
- All printed race programmes use Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. Many racing clubs have switched to offering only digital PDF programmes and we use internal signage with QR codes to signpost these to customers
- All redundant electrical and computer equipment on site is recycled
- The treatment of spillages is carried out on site, with absorbent materials being used to ensure contamination is minimised and contained
- Wherever possible, material excavated from site groundworks will be kept and reused on site. For example, broken concrete from old circuit kerbs has been re-used for creating hard standing areas for toilets and showers in our campsite. Similarly, all planings from circuit resurfacing works are kept and re-used to line and improve our off-track roads
- Oulton Park has carefully maintained the 250 acre parkland site for 70 years, balancing the needs of the local environment and habitat alongside the venue’s motor racing activities
- Over 70 acres of the Oulton Park estate are given over free of charge to create the Little Budworth Common. The common is a viable and vibrant habitat for the many and varied flora and fauna that live within it
- Various out-of-bounds parts of the venue are kept as areas for the purpose of wilding, strictly free from human impact
- Oulton Park has completed an extensive LED lighting project across the whole venue to maximise lighting energy efficiency. This includes the use of PIR movement sensors in areas where activity levels can vary
- A Fair Usage Policy for track activity has been introduced to minimise unnecessary energy consumption in the garages and paddock areas
- Employees are given clear guidelines and actively encouraged to minimise energy use in their respective workspaces, including nominated individuals for each department to help maintain best practice
- Areas of site are sub-metered to provide ‘live’ data on our energy use to help us make informed decisions on efficiency improvements
- We work hard with our customers to understand their power needs and provide grid-based solutions where possible to help move away from using generators in the paddocks. This has the added benefit of reducing noise, particularly when the track itself is not live
- Carers of disabled guests are entitled to free admission to race events at Oulton Park
- Covered wheelchair accessible suites are available on all race weekends at in the Fogarty Moss Centre
- Dedicated parking areas within the venue are provided to Blue Badge holders
- Accessible W/C facilities are available throughout the venue, including on campsites during major events
- We are now using hybrid and electric vehicles among our venue fleet
- Visitors are also encouraged to car share where possible via our Important Information emails that are distributed prior to each event
- Oulton Park works hard to maintain good relationships with local residents and landowners. The Oulton Park Liaison Group meets quarterly each year, and enables local residents to raise any questions or concerns that it may have relating to the circuit. Oulton Park will always endeavour to address and resolve issues wherever possible
- Oulton Park supports many local causes each year. Previous examples include a contribution to the Little Budworth fencing and signage project, sponsorship of the local cricket team and providing access to the circuit for local school and church fundraising activities
- The circuit hosts an annual Villages Day, where local residents of the Little Budworth and Rushton parishes are able to enjoy taking part in all of the circuit’s driving experiences for a very small fee. All of the proceeds from this event are split between the two local parishes to support local causes and projects