Located in the heart of Leicestershire, Mallory Park Racing Circuit is one of Britain’s most historic and distinctive permanent racing venues. Despite its compact size, the circuit has earned an enduring reputation through its flowing layout, high average speeds and deep connection with British motorcycle racing.
Centred around the spectacular Gerard’s Bend, Mallory Park rewards precision, commitment and momentum rather than outright power. Throughout its history the circuit has welcomed international motorcycle racing, Formula cars, touring cars, historic competitions and countless club championships, becoming one of the spiritual homes of British grassroots motorsport.
Today Mallory Park continues to provide an authentic racing environment where accessibility, tradition and close competition remain at the heart of every event.
In Brief
- Mallory Park opened as a permanent circuit in 1956.
- Gerard’s Bend is one of Britain’s fastest and longest continuous corners.
- The circuit has only five corners but remains one of the country’s quickest racing venues.
- Many legendary motorcycle world champions raced at Mallory Park during the 1960s and 1970s.
- The circuit has long been regarded as one of Britain’s premier club racing venues.
- Its compact layout allows spectators to view most of the lap from a single location.
History
Motor racing began at Mallory Park in the 1950s after the former estate roads surrounding Kirkby Mallory were converted into a permanent racing circuit.
The venue quickly established itself as one of Britain’s leading motorcycle circuits, attracting many of the world’s finest riders during the golden era of international motorcycle racing. Legendary competitors including Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Barry Sheene all competed at Mallory Park, cementing its place in British sporting history.
Although the circuit never hosted Formula One, it became an important venue for Formula Two, Formula Ford, touring cars, club racing and rider development. Today Mallory Park continues to preserve its traditional character while supporting national championships, track days and historic motorsport.
Circuit Design
The full circuit measures 2.173 kilometres and consists of five corners, arranged in a clockwise direction.
Its simplicity is deceptive.
Rather than relying on numerous technical sections, Mallory Park challenges competitors through a sequence of fast, flowing corners linked by short straights. The layout demands commitment, smooth weight transfer and exceptional momentum preservation throughout the lap.
Gerard’s Bend dominates the circuit, combining high speed with remarkable duration before leading onto the longest acceleration zone. Together with the heavy braking at the Shaw’s Hairpin and the flowing Esses, the circuit delivers close racing despite its compact dimensions.
LENGTH
2.102
kilometres
WIDTH
9–10
metres
DIRECTION
CW
clockwise
SURFACE
Asphalt
ELEVATION CHANGE
19.9
metres
OPENED
1956
70 years ago
Mallory Park is defined by its compact scale, high average speed and unusual combination of long, sweeping corners with tight interruptions designed to control speed. The short lap leaves little opportunity for competitors to recover from mistakes, while its relatively simple geometry places considerable emphasis on carrying momentum and positioning the vehicle accurately for the next section.
The circuit’s character is established by Gerards, the long right-hander that forms its defining corner and places competitors under sustained lateral load for an unusually extended period. From there, the lap builds speed towards the technical sections around Edwina’s before continuing towards the Bus Stop, where heavy braking and rapid changes of direction contrast sharply with the flowing character elsewhere. These slower sections make clean exits particularly important because acceleration begins almost immediately towards the next major corner.
Although the chicanes introduce important braking and traction demands, Mallory Park’s identity remains centred on speed and momentum around a remarkably compact lap. Drivers and riders who remain smooth through Gerards, minimise time lost through the slower interruptions and consistently carry speed between sections are generally rewarded most strongly.
| # | Corner |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gerard's Bend Right |
| 2 | Charlie's Right |
| 3 | Stapletons Right |
| 4 | Edwina's Right |
| 5 | John Cooper Esses Right |
| 6 | Shaw's Hairpin Right |
| 7 | Bus Stop Left |
| 8 | Devil's Elbow Left |
Mallory Park occupies an important place within British club and national motorsport, developing during the post-war expansion of permanent racing venues that supported Britain’s rapidly growing competition industry. Motor racing began at the circuit in the 1950s, and its compact layout subsequently became familiar to generations of competitors across both automobile and motorcycle racing.
The circuit became particularly associated with British motorcycle competition, hosting major national races and attracting many of the country’s leading riders. Events such as the Post-TT races helped establish Mallory as an important motorcycle venue, while its demanding high-speed character provided a distinctive contrast to longer British circuits such as Silverstone, Donington Park and Brands Hatch.
Automobile racing has been equally important to its history, with single-seaters, sports cars, touring cars, club racing and historic competition all forming part of Mallory Park’s programme. Its accessibility and compact scale made it particularly valuable to the national racing structure, providing competitors with a venue where relatively modest facilities could support frequent and varied competition.
Mallory Park’s significance therefore lies less in hosting contemporary world championships than in its contribution to the working foundations of British motorsport. For generations of riders, drivers, teams and enthusiasts, circuits such as Mallory provided the competitive environment from which Britain’s broader racing culture developed, giving this small Leicestershire venue an importance considerably greater than its physical scale.
Visitor Experience
Mallory Park offers an intimate and authentic race-day atmosphere.
Compact spectator areas provide excellent views of almost the entire circuit, allowing visitors to follow the action continuously. The famous Gerard’s Bend attracts enthusiasts eager to watch riders and drivers carry remarkable speed through one of Britain’s great corners, while historic meetings and motorcycle festivals celebrate the circuit’s rich heritage.
Its friendly atmosphere and close connection between competitors and spectators have made Mallory Park a favourite among British motorsport enthusiasts.
Location
Mallory Park Racing Circuit is located near Kirkby Mallory, approximately 25 kilometres west of Leicester.
Situated within the English Midlands, the circuit enjoys excellent access from many of Britain’s principal motorsport regions while retaining the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional countryside venue.
Address
Church Road
LE9 7QE Kirkby Mallory
Leicestershire, England
United Kingdom
Website