Ards Peninsula
The Ards Peninsula () is a peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland, on the north-east coast of Ireland. It separates Strangford Lough from the North Channel of the Irish Sea. Towns and villages on the peninsula include Donaghadee, Milli ...
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
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History
The circuit is owned and operated by the 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland (500 MRCI), who opened the circuit in 1953 on the site of the former
RAF Kirkistown
Royal Air Force Kirkistown or more simply RAF Kirkistown is a former Royal Air Force satellite airfield located of Ballyhalbert, County Down, Northern Ireland.
It was a satellite to the RAF Fighter Command airfield at Ballyhalbert on the Ards ...
Royal Air Force airfield. Kirkistown's main circuit runs clockwise, and was laid out using portions of the aerodrome's major east–west runway and northern perimeter roadways. The layout it relatively simple, with four main corners and a main straight. During the 1970s, a right-left chicane was constructed approximately one third of the way along the main straight, to reduce approach speeds to the Maguires Hairpin turn.
Current use
In its present configuration, Kirkistown's track length is and it is Northern Ireland's only MSA-licensed permanent race track. In addition to the 500 MRCI's own events and other automobile circuit racing series, Kirkistown also hosts races for karting, rallying, rallycross,
motorcycle
A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...
and supermoto classes. Various duathlon, running and cycling events (in aid of Belfast Tandem Cycling Group) have also been held at Kirkistown, including an officially measured series of 5k and 10k races regarded as one of the fastest and flattest courses in the province.