PF International Kart Circuit

PF International Kart Circuit
LocationBrandon, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England
OperatorPF International
Opened1994
Websitehttps://www.kartpfi.com/
Length1.382 km (0.859 mi)
Turns15

PF International Kart Circuit, also known as PFI or Paul Fletcher International, is an outdoor kart racing circuit at Brandon, near Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. It opened in 1994 and was developed by Paul Fletcher, after whom it is named.[1] The circuit holds a CIK-FIA International A grade licence, awarded in 2011 following a track extension that increased its length to 1,382 metres.[2] It has hosted rounds of the CIK-FIA Karting European Championship and the FIA Karting World Championship, and is the permanent venue for the Kartmasters British Grand Prix.[3]

History

PF International was built by Paul Fletcher and opened in 1994.[1] In 2011 the circuit underwent a major extension: a bridge and flyover section was added, increasing the track length to 1,382 metres and enabling the circuit to obtain a CIK-FIA International A grade licence. It is the only short-circuit kart track in the United Kingdom to hold this grade of licence.[2] In the same year PFI hosted its first CIK-FIA international events.

At the 2012 CIK-FIA Karting Awards ceremony, PF International was presented with the Trophy for the Best Event of the 2012 CIK Season.[4]

Circuit

The international layout is 1,382 metres long with 15 corners. A shorter national layout is also available for club and hire sessions.[5]

Trent Valley Kart Club

Trent Valley Kart Club (TVKC) is a members-only kart racing club based at PF International, established in 1996.[3] The club organises monthly race meetings at the circuit, held on the first Sunday of each month except August, when the slot is taken by the Kartmasters Grand Prix.[6] Other annual events include the Ice Breaker Cup, Winter Warmer Trophy, PF Challenge Cup and Festive Cup.[3] TVKC membership is required for drivers who practise or compete at PF International.[7]

Major events

Kartmasters British Grand Prix

The Kartmasters British Grand Prix has been held at PF International since its inaugural edition in 1996. It is organised by Trent Valley Kart Club and takes place over a long weekend in August, with qualifying heats on Friday and Saturday leading to Grand Prix finals on Sunday.[8] Winners include Lewis Hamilton, who won the 1996 edition,[9] and George Russell, who won the 2010 edition.

PF International also hosted a round of the Formula Kart Stars championship in 2009. It was at this event that a young George Russell, then racing in the cadet class, met Lewis Hamilton; Russell later recalled the encounter as the moment he resolved to pursue a Formula One career.[10]

British Kart Championships

PF International is a regular venue on the British Kart Championships calendar. The 2026 season includes rounds at the circuit for the IAME, Honda and Rotax series.[11]

CIK-FIA events

PF International has hosted multiple CIK-FIA events since receiving its International A grade licence:

  • 2012: A round of the CIK-FIA World KF1 Championship, alongside rounds of the European KF2 and KF3 Championships.[12]
  • 2013: The opening round of the CIK-FIA World KF Championship and the CIK-FIA International KFJ Super Cup.[13]
  • 2014: The final round of the CIK-FIA European KF and KFJ Championships, with 156 entrants from 40 countries.[14]
  • 2015: A round of the CIK-FIA European KF Championship.[15]
  • 2024: The FIA Karting World Championship for OK and OK-Junior, together with the OK-N World Cup, attracting 262 drivers from 59 nations.[16][17]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "About". PF International. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Paul Fletcher International". Motorsport Timing UK. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "About Trent Valley Kart Club". Trent Valley Kart Club. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  4. ^ "The FIA and the CIK celebrate their 2012 Karting Champions". FIA. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  5. ^ "The Circuit". PF International. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  6. ^ "Race Calendar". Trent Valley Kart Club. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  7. ^ "Membership". Trent Valley Kart Club. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  8. ^ "Talent showcased in UK Kartmasters British Grand Prix at PF International Circuit". Newark Advertiser. 4 August 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  9. ^ "Lewis Hamilton". RaceFans. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  10. ^ "Russell recalls meeting "superhero" Hamilton for the first time". Motorsport.com. 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  11. ^ "Calendar/Results". Wera Tools British Kart Championships. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  12. ^ "The 2012 calendar of the CIK-FIA Championships (partially) voted". Kartcom. 23 September 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  13. ^ "CIK-FIA World KF Championship & International KF Junior Super Cup at Brandon – Preview". Karting Australia. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  14. ^ "CIK-FIA European KF & KFJ Championships at Brandon (GB) – Preview". TKART. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  15. ^ "2015 CIK-FIA Best-Of: European title for Hanley". Kartcom. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  16. ^ "World Karting Championship". Kartcom. 15 September 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  17. ^ "Results: FIA Karting World Championship OK, OKJ and the OK-N World Cup at PF International". KartXpress. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2026.

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