North Wales: The Future Motorsport Hub? Why Not?

Motorsport has long been a defining part of the UK’s sporting and engineering heritage, with iconic circuits like Silverstone, Brands Hatch, and Donington Park hosting world-class events. But what if we looked beyond the traditional strongholds? What if North Wales became the UK’s next motorsport hub? It may sound like an unrealistic pipe dream, but with the right vision, investment, and ambition, it could be a reality. And honestly - why not?

A Landscape Built for Speed and Spectacle

The region boasts some of the UK’s most scenic and challenging roads, drawing drivers from across the country. The famous Evo Triangle has been a mecca for car enthusiasts for years, and the rugged landscapes have hosted rounds of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Wales Rally GB. Motorsport DNA already runs deep here. Now, imagine taking that one step further. Expanding the motorsport presence beyond rallying and road driving into something bigger, bolder, and built for the future. A fully-fledged motorsport hub where technology, innovation, and high-level racing could thrive.

Trac Môn: The Perfect Foundation

Anglesey Circuit (Trac Môn) is one of the UK’s most breathtaking circuits, offering stunning coastal views combined with a technical layout. It’s a hidden gem that already hosts club-level racing, testing, and track days. But what if it was taken to the next level?

With the right investment, Trac Môn could be expanded to accommodate higher-profile racing series like British GT, British Touring Cars (BTCC), or even international events. Could the layout be enhanced to meet FIA standards, opening the door for bigger championships and bringing thousands of spectators to the region. Imagine a British GT race overlooking the Irish Sea or a night race with cars tearing around the circuit as the sun sets over Snowdonia. Yes, of course this would require significant funding, investment, passion and drive (pun intended) to pull this off. That doesn’t mean it’s not possible though. The benefits on the local economy would be huge. Hotels, restaurants and local towns would see significant footfall during race weekends providing a wealth of opportunity for economic growth.

Based on recent data, the British GT Championship generally sees average weekend attendance figures ranging between 8,000 and 15,000 spectators per event. Image the economic benefits this could create for North Wales!

A Hub for Motorsport Innovation:

Beyond hosting races, North Wales has the potential to establish itself as a genuine motorsport innovation hub. The region is already building momentum in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and technology-driven enterprise. With major investments in offshore wind in the Irish Sea and a growing cluster of engineering expertise, the foundations are in place for high-performance, low-carbon innovation.

Motorsport’s future is moving in the same direction. Championships such as Formula E and the hybrid era of Formula One demonstrate how the very top of motorsport has become a proving ground for electric engineering, battery efficiency, energy recovery systems and sustainable fuels. The technologies developed on track increasingly influence mainstream automotive design, particularly as manufacturers accelerate the transition to net-zero mobility.

North Wales is well positioned to support that evolution. With established circuits like Anglesey Circuit offering varied conditions ideal for vehicle testing, alongside strong links to regional universities and engineering firms, the area could provide both the physical and intellectual infrastructure required for innovation. With the right strategic backing from government and private investors, the region could attract race teams, automotive manufacturers and clean-energy startups looking to test and refine cutting-edge technologies.

Anglesey Circuit (Trac Môn).
**Image Credit:** **James Roberts Photo**

A Motorsport Industry on the Rise

Formula 1 is expanding at a rapid pace, with new races in the U.S., the Middle East and Asia bringing the sport to a global audience like never before. Thanks to the success of Netflix’s "Drive to Survive", F1 has exploded in popularity, attracting new fans and investment into motorsport as a whole. Although at a slower pace, other racing series, from endurance racing to touring cars, are seeing increased attention too. Motorsport is evolving into a global entertainment powerhouse, and the UK should be ready to capitalise on this momentum. North Wales, with the right development, could position itself at the heart of this growth, attracting teams, events, and enthusiasts who want to be part of the next big motorsport destination.

Why Not Dream Big?

Some might say this is just a fantasy (and knowing how Wales and the Welsh government operate like I do, it most likely is), but isn’t that how all great ideas start? Silverstone was once just an abandoned airfield. The Circuit of Wales was an ambitious project that nearly got off the ground before being scrapped by the Welsh government. With the right vision, North Wales could be more than just a motorsport destination - it could be a driving force in the future of the sport.

Why shouldn’t North Wales become the UK’s next motorsport hub? With its stunning landscapes and potential for innovation, it has all the ingredients ready to go. Now, it just needs the right people to believe in the vision and make it happen.

What do you think - should North Wales become the UK’s next motorsport hub?

North Wales: The UK’s Next Motorsport Hub? Why Not Dream Big?