Palmer Sport

YOUR INVITATION TO
THE WORLD’S GREATEST DRIVING EVENT
WWW.PALMERSPORT.COM

THE
EXHILARATION OF
FREEDOM. ONLY
AT PALMERSPORT
PalmerSport is a full day driving event created by ex F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, based
centrally in the UK at Bedford Autodrome. It is widely regarded as the best motorsport
event in the world. With 6 miles of track, 4 separate circuits and endless run off, you will
have the freedom to drive our unrivalled collection of high performance cars harder and
faster than anywhere else, and all in perfect safety.
We’ll wager it will be one of the best days of your life!
03

1981 - British Formula 3 Champion 1983 - European Formula 2 Champion 1983 - F1 debut with Williams at Brands Hatch
1984 - Winning the 1000km at Brands Hatch 1987 - 5th place at Monaco for Tyrrell Ford
1992 - Chief test driver in the development
of the iconic McLaren F1 road car
1999 - PalmerSport moves from Bruntingthorpe
to the newly created Bedford Autodrome
2004 - Jonathan’s MSV company acquires
the Brands Hatch group of circuits
MSV takes control of the British Superbike
(2008) and Formula 4 championships (2012)
JONATHAN PALMER
MOTORSPORT MAESTRO
Jonathan Palmer is Chief Executive of the MotorSport Vision
Group (MSV) which, in addition to Bedford Autodrome and
PalmerSport, owns and operates the Brands Hatch, Cadwell
Park, Oulton Park and Snetterton race circuits. MSV’s
businesses include running the British Superbike and BRDC
Formula 4 championships. MSV is a private company owned
by Jonathan and Sir Peter Ogden.
After a brief career as a doctor, Jonathan moved full time
to pursue his race driving passion in 1981 when he won
the British F3 championship and then two years later the
European F2 championship. Six years of F1 followed, mainly
with the Tyrrell team, together with a long career in world
sportscar racing with Porsche, achieving several international
wins and a second at Le Mans in 1985. On retiring from race
driving in 1991 Jonathan focussed on his business ambitions,
whilst also joining the BBC Grand Prix commentary team for
six years, partnering Murray Walker.
Jonathan’s sons are carrying on in his tyre tracks and forging
their own successful driving careers. Jolyon is racing in GP2
and aiming for F1 in 2015, while younger brother Will has just
made the step-up to F4 single seaters.

WELCOME FROM
JONATHAN PALMER
I’m delighted you have been invited to the 2014 PalmerSport event.
I began PalmerSport back in 1991 when I retired from driving after six
years racing in Formula 1. Building the business fitted in well with my
role as co-commentator with Murray Walker on the BBC Grand Prix
TV programme. From the outset my objective was to provide the best
corporate hospitality motorsport driving event in the world. Key to
achieving this was to give our guests unprecedented levels of not just
freedom but encouragement to push some fabulous high performance
cars harder than they ever dreamed.
More than twenty years on our philosophy of coaching our guests to
go absolutely flat out (in safety!) and striving to improve lap times in
each machine is more powerful than ever. And for the first time, we’ve
introduced F1-style live timing on all our activities so our guests can see
the continually updated results screen and know exactly who has done
what lap time as they watch the cars going past.
Jonathan Palmer
Chief Executive
At PalmerSport we’re totally focussed on delivering the best driving
event in the world. You will experience one of the most exhilarating days
of your life, and leave us with memories that last forever!
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2014?
We strive to make PalmerSport better every
year, and the big enhancement for 2014 is the
introduction of live timing on all of our circuitbased
activities. For the first time, you’ll be able
to compare your performance with friends and
colleagues as the day progresses, with screens
streaming real-time data of everyone’s lap times
at each of our tracks, F1 style!
The fun of light hearted competition is a hugely
popular and unique element of your day at
PalmerSport, and guests are scored on all eight
of our activities, with
prizes awarded at the
end of the event.
05

PALMERSPORT
AT BEDFORD AUTODROME
You will drive all of these cars in an 8 activity
programme with live timing, scoring and awards.
BEDFORD
AUTODROME
Bedford Autodrome
is located right in the
centre of England –
just 50 miles north
of London, with
excellent road and
rail links and its own
runway at Bedford
Aerodrome.
NORTH CIRCUIT
EAST CIRCUIT
ARIEL ATOM
NARDO SUITE AND
PIT GARAGES
CATERHAM 7
SUPERLIGHT
WILLIAMS SUITE AND
PIT GARAGES
SOUTH CIRCUIT
NORTHERN ACTIVITY AREA
BMW M3 GTP
LE MANS SUITE AND
PIT GARAGES
LAND ROVER DEFENDER
CATERHAM PURSUIT
WEST CIRCUIT
ENTRANCE
FORMULA JAGUAR PALMER JAGUAR JP-LM PRO KART WEST CIRCUIT PIT COMPLEX
AND TYRRELL SUITE
ITINERARY
REGISTRATION
Your hospitality suite opens for
registration and the start of one
of the most memorable days of
your life
BREAKFAST
A full on day starts with a full
English or continental breakfast.
Catch up with friends or colleagues
before the driving starts
EVENT BRIEFING
A formal introduction with a
video briefing on what you’re
going to be driving and how best
to do it
THE DAY BEGINS
Join your team leader and then
board your PalmerSport bus
that will transport you around
the venue
PEDAL TO THE METAL
Meet your instructor in the first of
the day’s cars, get to grips with
the controls and then put your
foot down!

NORTHERN ACTIVITY AREA
You can view video footage and watch onboard laps
from all of our vehicles at www.palmersport.com.
RECEPTION
H
H
NORTH CIRCUIT
1.00 MILE
KART CIRCUIT
WEST CIRCUIT
1.85 MILES
SOUTH CIRCUIT
1.50 MILES
EAST CIRCUIT
0.75 MILES
LUNCH AND REFUEL
A first class lunch, served in your
hospitality suite with time to share
those unforgettable moments
(Exact timing subject to change)
RESTART
An adrenaline-drenched afternoon
lies ahead as your confidence
builds with more cars to drive
AFTERNOON TEA
Tea with sandwiches and cakes
is served over talks of spins, lap
times and ‘what might have been’
moments
PRIZEGIVING
The coveted PalmerSport
trophies are awarded to the day’s
best drivers
DEPART
Guests head home having
enjoyed the most exhilarating
day of their lives

ROAR
PERFORMANCE
FORMULA JAGUAR
FORMULA JAGUAR DATA
ENGINE TYPE: V6
ENGINE SIZE: 3 LITRE
POWER:
250BHP
0-60MPH: 3.1 SECONDS
TOP SPEED: 170MPH
TRANSMISSION: 6 SPEED PADDLESHIFT
Single seater racing cars often feature on corporate driving events at other
circuits, but are typically modest 1600cc machines with rev limited engines
and old fashioned mechanical gear levers.
Not at PalmerSport! Our Formula Jaguar has a stonking 3 litre
V6 Cosworth developed engine, with 250bhp at 6500
rpm and an F1-style six speed paddle gearshift on the
steering wheel. Big slick tyres provide huge amounts
of adhesion, so the car’s cornering and braking
performance is phenomenal. And with our
fabulous, flowing West circuit we have the safety
and desire to allow you to drive it seriously fast!
When you get back to the pits you’ll receive
a data printout, showing your performance
compared with a GP2 race winner, Jolyon
Palmer. And with our new live timing screens,
you’ll instantly see how your times fare against
everyone else in your team, just like a Grand
Prix qualifying session.
This is the closest you will ever get to driving an
F1 car. And the experience will be preserved forever,
with incredible onboard video footage on a USB stick for
every guest to take home.
WEST CIRCUIT
1.85 miles
4 th = Gear
4 th
4 th
3 rd 3
4 th
5 th
4 th
4 th
3 rd
5 th 6 th 4 th
6 th
2 nd 3 rd
3 rd
4 th
4th 5 th 5 th 5 th
NEW FOR 2014
LIVE TIMING
SCORING:
FASTEST LAP
ONBOARD
VIDEO

09

LE MANS
MASTERPIECE
PALMER JAGUAR JP-LM
Our stunning Palmer Jaguar JP-LM brings the sensation of Le
Mans to the fingertips of all our guests. It’s as focussed as any
machine can be and provides the most sublime driving experience
– with an instructor right alongside to help you extract all of its
mind-blowing performance.
We’ve squeezed every last bit of power from its Jaguar
Cosworth 3 litre quad cam V6 engine for relentless
straightline speed. And with downforce pushing
those big tyres into the asphalt and drag-reducing
bodywork to help slice through the air, the
JP-LM does the aerodynamic business too.
With all this phenomenal speed, braking ability
and grip at your disposal, it’s the nearest thing
to jumping into a LMP prototype and heading
off around the famous Circuit de la Sarthe at
Le Mans.
WEST CIRCUIT
1.85 miles
4 th = Gear
4 th
4 th
3 rd 3
4 th
5 th
4 th
4 th
3 rd
5 th 6 th 4 th
6 th
2 nd 3 rd
3 rd
4 th
4th 5 th 5 th 5 th
NEW FOR 2014
LIVE TIMING
SCORING: FASTEST LAP
PALMER JAGUAR JP-LM DATA
ENGINE TYPE: V6
ENGINE SIZE: 3 LITRE
POWER:
265BHP
0-60MPH:
3.4 SECONDS
TOP SPEED: 167MPH
TRANSMISSION: 6 SPEED PADDLESHIFT

11

FAST AND
FURIOUS
ARIEL ATOM
ARIEL ATOM DATA
TORQUE:
210NM
WEIGHT:
610KG
POWER:
245BHP
0-60MPH: 3.2 SECONDS
TOP SPEED: 145MPH
TRANSMISSION: 6 SPEED PADDLESHIFT
The sensational Ariel Atom 3 is the most recent addition to
our fleet and provides a unique driving experience of ultimate
exhilaration.
The Atom has nothing but the bare essentials; a frame,
engine, gearbox, suspension and wheels. So it weighs
just 610kg, which means it accelerates, corners
and stops at astonishing speeds. Its amazing
Honda i-VTEC engine screams to 8000 rpm
and produces 245bhp, whilst the Atom’s close
ratio six speed paddleshift gearbox, unique
to PalmerSport, means shifts take a barely
perceptible 0.05 of a second. And 0-60 is a
three second blur.
With an expert instructor pushing you to
the limit, the Atom 3 is a raw, intoxicating
experience that will leave you grinning from
ear-to-ear. And you’ll depart with a USB stick
containing superb onboard camera footage as a
permanent reminder of your stunning drive!
NORTH CIRCUIT
1.00 mile
4 th
5 th
4 th
3 rd 4 th = Gear
4 th
3 rd 4 th 5 th 4th
3 rd
NEW FOR 2014
LIVE TIMING
SCORING:
FASTEST LAP
ONBOARD
VIDEO

13

MUNICH
MUSCLE
BMW M3 GTP
The standard M3 is a remarkable machine, but at PalmerSport
that was merely our starting point. Our unique BMW M3 GTPs
have been stripped of their interior luxuries and equipped with
uprated brakes and lowered, stiffened suspension to provide
phenomenal on track performance.
Its race-bred 4 litre V8 engine, tuned by BMW’s
Motorsport division, can howl and scream
its way to 8500 rpm, a speed most engines
cannot even reach, yet at which the M3 is
never happier.
Coupled to a brilliant seven speed
paddleshift gearbox and a race-prepared
chassis, the M3 GTP takes the supercar art
to a new level. And when it’s unleashed on
our ultra fast South circuit the result is truly an
incredible driving experience, with rear wheel
drive powerslides there for you to enjoy – and
hopefully control!
SOUTH CIRCUIT
1.50 miles
2 nd
4 th = Gear
3 rd
4 th 5 th
5 th
4 th
4 th
3 rd
3 rd
4 th
3
2 nd rd 3 rd 4 th 4 5th th
NEW FOR 2014
LIVE TIMING
SCORING: FASTEST LAP

BMW M3 GTP DATA
ENGINE TYPE:
ENGINE SIZE:
POWER:
0-60MPH:
TOP SPEED:
TRANSMISSION:
V8
4 LITRE
420BHP
4.6 SECONDS
185MPH
7 SPEED PADDLESHIFT
15

SEVENTH
HEAVEN
CATERHAM 7 SUPERLIGHT
CATERHAM 7 SUPERLIGHT DATA
ENGINE TYPE: 2 LITRE
WEIGHT:
490KG
POWER TO WEIGHT: 286BHP/TONNE
0-60MPH:
4.8 SECONDS
TOP SPEED:
130MPH
TRANSMISSION: 6 SPEED MANUAL
Caterham Sevens have featured on the PalmerSport event since
the very beginning, and with good reason: even after 20 years,
few experiences ever come close to the sheer, unadulterated
fun of exploiting the Seven’s unrivalled power-to-weight ratio
and instinctive control.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of drifting,
the Caterham is the perfect car to experience
controlled sideways action and raw speed. We
exercise these seminal sports cars on the tight
turns of the tailor-made East circuit, so they
can show off their breathtaking agility, tackling
the track in a series of spectacular slides.
Once you’ve discovered the profound
pleasure in simply going sideways, you’ll
experience the joy of using this technique to
direct the car, driving beyond the technical
limit of adhesion and controlling what would
once have appeared uncontrollable.
4 th = Gear
EAST CIRCUIT
0.75 miles
3rd
3 rd 4 th
4 th
3 rd 3 rd
3 rd
3 rd
NEW FOR 2014
LIVE TIMING
SCORING: FASTEST LAP

17

THE ULTIMATE
OFF ROADER
LAND ROVER DEFENDER
If you‘re hoping our Defenders will give you time to relax between
racing cars - think again. Unless you apply as much skill, concentration
and bravery in the mud as you do on the track you’ll have no chance
of successfully negotiating your way down rock-strewn paths, through
deep rivers and up slopes so extreme you’ll scarcely believe even a
4x4 could scale them.
You’ll climb so steeply that all you can see through the
windscreen is sky, and plunge off what appears to
be the edge of the world. You’ll negotiate tracks
covered in impossible-looking boulders, ford
rivers and take on our infamous see-saw, using
nothing other than the weight of the car at the
pivot point to tilt the platform so you can drive
down the other side.
OFF ROAD
CIRCUIT
If you put your faith in our rugged Defenders
and listen to your instructor, you’ll emerge the
other side lost in admiration for a great British
institution that for over 50 years has remained
unequalled.
Just like every vehicle at PalmerSport, in its chosen
field, it is the best of the best.
SCORING: HIGHEST SCORE

19

PISTONS
AT DAWN!
CATERHAM PURSUIT

NORTHERN
ACTIVITY
AREA
You’ll be timed or scored on every activity at
PalmerSport but this is one with a difference:
a head to head contest against one of your
team-mates on two identical mirror image
courses with straights, hairpins and a mini
roundabout.
It all looks deceptively simple at first, but then the
lights count down and it’s GO as you blast from the
start in one of our Caterhams, balancing grip against
power as you slip and slide against the clock!
Of course you’ll want to go as fast as possible, but with the dividing
line between hero and zero being often a millimetre too much throttle
applied a millisecond too early, you’ll need to apply maximum
concentration for perfect powerslides. And you’ll need plenty of
finesse too, not least for that innocent looking roundabout - master
smoking doughnuts and you’ll beat your opponent every time in this
best of three contest.
SCORING: BEST OF THREE COMPETITION
21

BEDFORD
AUTODROME
MOTORSPORT
PARADISE
Bedford Autodrome is the world’s
most extensive, thrilling and safe
motorsport complex, with four
tracks totalling six miles of tarmac
comprising endless straights, flat
out curves, challenging bends and
slide-inducing hairpins.
The whole philosophy behind
PalmerSport and what makes it so
different to any other motorsport
event is that we want you go as
fast as you possibly can. This
is why Bedford Autodrome was
created specifically with flat out
driving – but not motor racing – in
mind. There are no Armco barriers,
concrete walls or grandstands to
avoid, just endless run-off and
acres of grass.
With the comfort of knowing
there’s nothing to hit but the
rev limiter, and a professional
instructor sat right alongside,
you will have the confidence
to push our cars and yourself
harder than you might ever have
thought possible. And by running
four circuits simultaneously we
can keep your waiting time to a
minimum and maximise your time
behind the wheel.

THE
PALMERSPORT
FLEET
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
Maintaining a fleet of over
100 vehicles to PalmerSport
standards is a monumental task
– every single one has to be fit
and ready to be driven to its
limit all day, every day.
This is why we employ a
great team of outstanding
technicians, many with race team
experience. We don’t just replace
consumables like tyres and brake
pads - our cars follow a rigorous
schedule of maintenance where
parts are lifed and replaced
regardless of condition, just as
they are in the safety-dominated
aircraft industry.
not only supremely reliable and
safe, but as identical as they
can possibly be. Equality of
vehicle performance is a vital
component in the PalmerSport
experience: if you win one of our
coveted trophies, you’ll know
it’s because you were simply the
fastest driver out there.
By applying such standards we
can ensure that our cars are
23

HIGH SPEED
HOSPITALITY
BEDFORD AUTODROME
The PalmerSport experience
extends well beyond our four race
circuits. Our entire venue has been
engineered to offer you and your
guests comfortable surroundings,
all-weather protection and catering of
the highest standards at every turn.
So the first thing that you
experience when you reach us
is a full English breakfast of the
kind you’d receive in a fine hotel,
enjoyed at your own team table in
a modern hospitality centre.
After a short video briefing, giving
you the lowdown on the day
ahead, you’ll be introduced to your
dedicated team leader: your guide
to PalmerSport, who will be with you
every step of the way.
From the hospitality suite you’ll be
briskly transported to the driving
activities in one of our stylish,
bespoke PalmerSport buses. When
you arrive at our trackside suites,
you’ll find them equipped with
comfortable seating, warm toilets and
a wide range of complimentary drinks
and light bites so you can relax and
refresh between driving sessions.
LIVE LAP TIME SCREENS,
WI-FI AND MOBILE PHONE
CHARGING FOR 2014
Recognising the importance of
keeping in touch, Wi-Fi internet
access has been introduced across
the whole Bedford Autodrome site
for the first time. And all of our circuit
hospitality suites now include mobile
phone charging points.
The big change for 2014 is the
addition of live timing screens both
inside and outside the suites that
accompany each circuit, so you
can instantly see your best lap
time and compare it with the realtime
performance of friends and
colleagues on track. Guests can
also now view video footage of their
Formula Jaguar and Ariel Atom laps
in-between driving sessions with
digital touch screens in each suite.

25

PALMERSPORT
INSTRUCTORS
BEST IN THE BUSINESS
One statistic says it all: despite
the stringent requirements and
qualifications required to be a
potential PalmerSport instructor,
just one in ten will prove to be
good enough to work for us.
How good? Well chances are
you’ll be sat alongside an
experienced racer whose CV
includes such highlights as
driving in the British Touring Car
Championship, or a hotshot who’s
on the verge of reaching the
pinnacle of world motorsport.
2008 F1 champion Lewis Hamilton
is just one member of an illustrious
list of drivers that have instructed
for us at Bedford Autodrome.
But simply being a prodigious
talent behind the wheel is not
enough. Even more important is
the ability of our instructors to
establish a rapport with our guests,
to quickly understand their levels
of experience, confidence and
expectation. The most rewarding
thing for them is to see every guest
progress and gain the maximum
satisfaction from their time in the
cars, through encouragement and
coaching, from whatever level they
might start.

PALMERSPORT
TEAM LEADERS
GUIDING YOU EVERY
STEP OF THE WAY
Every guest at PalmerSport is
part of a team and every team
has its own leader - a highly
experienced member of our
staff who will be with you from
start to finish, ensuring your
entire event runs like clockwork.
Your team leader will explain
every activity, when you will
be driving and what you need
to wear. Most importantly
you never need to worry
about missing a precious
drive in the cars – there’s no
queuing here, just a highly
organised schedule which
your team leader will smoothly
implement. You can just relax.
If you have a query or concern
on any matter, whether it’s
choosing the correct size of
helmet or needing a more
comfortable seating position
in the car, you’ll be instantly
put at ease.
27

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Arrival Time
You should aim to arrive by 08.00 in order to allow time for
registration and breakfast before the safety briefing. Even if
you have been to a PalmerSport event before, you will need to
watch the essential safety briefing video as this is an insurance
requirement.
Please Note: If you’ve not registered before the briefing
starts, you will need to watch a replay of this video before
you can take to the circuit, which may result in a loss of
driving time.
Journey Time
Please allow plenty of time for your journey. We understand
that traffic can disrupt the best-laid plans though, so don’t
worry if you are delayed as we will ensure that you join your
group as soon as possible. This is likely, however, to result
in the loss of some driving time. If you expect to arrive after
08.30, it would be helpful if you could advise the circuit on
01234 332400.
Driving Licence
You will be required to produce a current driving licence at
registration. For photocard licences you must produce both
the photocard and paper counterpart. An overseas driving
licence is acceptable providing it is current and valid.
Permissions
Please advise your host or Event Co-ordinator if you are under
21 years of age, have a current motor racing competition
licence, or have less than 12 months driving experience as
prior written permission to drive must be obtained.
Dietary Requirements
If you have any special dietary requirements, please inform
your host or Event Co-ordinator in advance. Please note that
unfortunately we are unable to provide kosher or halal dishes.
Fitness
In general it is up to an individual to decide if he/she is fit to
take part in the event. However, if you have any concerns
about a medical condition that may affect your driving, or if you
are pregnant, please feel free to contact your host or Event
Co-ordinator to discuss it further.
28
Height and Weight
Please advise your host or Event Co-ordinator if you are
outside our weight and height guidelines of 18 stone (115 KG)
and 5’ - 6’ 4” (153 cm - 193 cm).
What to Wear
We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing, e.g.
jeans and sweatshirt, windproof jacket and lightweight shoes
suitable for performance driving. Shorts and high heels
are not permitted and heavy or wide soled shoes are not
recommended.
Waterproof clothing will be provided, if required, for use in the
cars with open cockpits. Helmets are provided for all activities
except off road.
You are most welcome to bring any driving overalls driving
gloves/wet weather gear of your own, and if rain is forecast, a
change of clothing may be useful. Sunglasses may be helpful if
it’s sunny.
Weather
Despite the reputation of the British weather, in reality, very few
days are affected by poor conditions. In any case, our event is
designed to be totally weather proof with superb permanent
hospitality buildings at each activity to keep you warm and dry.
Camera
Do bring your camera if you would like to. Please note however,
that due to safety requirements you will be unable to use your
own camera or video camera for any in car pictures or footage.
Please note that PalmerSport cannot accept any
responsibility for personal belongings or clothing during
the event.
TYPICAL EVENT PROGRAMME
07.45 HOSPITALITY SUITE OPENS
08.00 REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST
08.30 EVENT BRIEFING
09.00 THE DAY BEGINS
09.15 DRIVING COMMENCES!
12.30 LUNCH (EXACT TIMINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
13.30 RESTART!
16.40 AFTERNOON TEA AND PRIZEGIVING
17.30 GUESTS DEPART

LOCAL ACCOMMODATION
B&B
3 Star
4 Star
5 Star
North End Barns
Bletsoe
10 minutes
Tel: 01234 781320
www.northendbarns.co.uk
The Queen’s Head Hotel
Milton Ernest
10 minutes
Tel: 01234 822412
www.queenshead-miltonernest.com
Tofte Manor (Private Country House)
Sharnbrook
15 minutes
Tel: 01234 781924
www.toftemanor.co.uk
Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa
Luton
55 minutes
Tel: 01582 734437
www.lutonhoo.co.uk
The Windmill
Thurleigh
10 minutes
Tel: 01234 771016
www.thewindmill.uk.com
The Sharnbrook Hotel
Sharnbrook
10 minutes
Tel: 01234 783142
www.thesharnbrookhotel.com
The Bedford Swan Hotel
Bedford
20 minutes
Tel: 01234 346565
www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk
Hambleton Hall - Relais & Châteaux
Oakham
1 hour 15 minutes
Tel: 01572 756991
www.hambletonhall.com
The Old School House
Bolnhurst
15 minutes
Tel: 01234 376754
www.breakfastinbeds.co.uk
Millhouse Hotel
Sharnbrook
10 minutes
Tel: 01234 781678
www.millhouse-riverside.co.uk
The Embankment
Bedford
20 minutes
Tel: 01234 261332
www.embankmentbedford.co.uk
Carters Yard
Kimbolton
25 minutes
Tel: 01480 861178
www.cartersyard.co.uk
Woodland Manor Hotel
Clapham
15 minutes
Tel: 01234 363281
www.woodlandmanorhotel.co.uk
Cornfields Restaurant & Hotel
Colmworth
20 minutes
Tel: 01234 378990
www.cornfieldsrestaurant.co.uk
Newton Park Farm
Newton Blossomville
30 minutes
Tel: 01234 881250
www.newtonparkfarm.co.uk
Park Inn by Radisson
Bedford
20 minutes
Tel: 01234 799988
www.parkinn.co.uk/hotel-bedford
The Barns Hotel
Bedford
25 minutes
Tel: 01234 270044
www.barnshotelbedford.co.uk
Barton Hall Hotel
Kettering
35 minutes
Tel: 01536 515505
www.bartonhall.com
Kettering Park Hotel & Spa
Kettering
35 minutes
Tel: 01536 416666
www.ketteringparkhotel.com
The Swan Revived
Newport Pagnell
40 minutes
Tel: 01908 610565
www.swanrevived.co.uk
Flitwick Manor
Flitwick
45 minutes
Tel: 01525 712242
www.menzieshotels.co.uk
The Inn at Woburn
Woburn
40 minutes
Tel: 01525 290441
www.woburn.co.uk/inn
Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa
Rushton
45 minutes
Tel: 01536 713001
www.rushtonhall.com
29

DIRECTIONS
By Train
The nearest station to Bedford Autodrome is Bedford
(20 minutes). Trains from London leave from either
St Pancras or any Thameslink station approximately
every 20 minutes. There is a taxi rank immediately
outside Bedford Station.
Arriving by Plane or Helicopter at Bedford
Bedford Autodrome has its own aerodrome next to
the circuits. Aircraft can land on our own licensed
runway for perfect convenience when visiting
PalmerSport. Our 1,000m runway can accommodate
all piston aircraft and most turbo props for public
transport operations, and some light jets privately.
If you would like to land a plane or helicopter at
Bedford Aerodrome you must get prior permission
so please contact our staff on 01403 733999.
Other Airports
Airport
Heathrow
Stansted
Luton
Cranfield (private flights)
Taxi Services
Time to circuit (approx)
1 hour 45 min
1 hour 30 min
1 hour
40 minutes
Company
Telephone No.
A1 Stretch Limos 08001 832525
AtoB 01234 211111
AGS Cars 01234 340900
Calloway Car Service 0207 183 2872
Chryslux Executive Travel 01234 357465
Executive Drive 0208 950 4591
Town and Country Cars 01234 213030
Sat Nav Directions
Please note that it is not possible to navigate directly to
Bedford Autodrome with your Sat Nav system using our
post code MK44 2YP.
Due to the size of the airfield we recommend you input the
following information in your Sat Nav system:
1. Street: Thurleigh Road
2. Town: Milton Ernest
THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL TAKE YOU
TOWARDS THE POINT ON THE MAP OVERLEAF
MARKED WITH A
ONCE YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY USE THE
LOCAL AREA MAP TO NAVIGATE THE LAST
FEW MILES TO BEDFORD AUTODROME.
From A1 Northbound
Pink/blue route
Directions
Miles
1. Go through Beeston and leave A1 at the
roundabout, follow signs A603 to Bedford 0.0
2. Follow signs to Bedford A603
3. Follow signs to Bedford, Town Centre or A6
until you pick up signs for Kettering A6
4. Follow signs Kettering A6 through and out
of the town
5. Stay on A6 through Milton Ernest,
follow signs for Bedford Technology Park
6. Roundabout on the A6 at Sharnbrook,
turn right to Bedford Technology Park 15.1
7. Turn left into Thurleigh Airfield Business Park 16.1
8. Follow red signs to Bedford Autodrome 16.5
9. Arrive Bedford Autodrome 17.7
30

From M1 J14
Dark blue route
Directions
Miles
1. Leave M1 J14, exit roundabout,
follow signs A509 Wellingborough 0.0
2. Turn right at roundabout, follow
signs A509 Wellingborough 1.2
3. Stay on A509 through Olney
4. Turn right at roundabout, signposted
Bedford B565 7.5
5. Fork left, signposted Lavendon 9.0
6. T-junction by the War Memorial in Lavendon,
turn right 9.6
7. Turn left almost immediately, signposted
Harrold, Sharnbrook 9.8
8. T-junction in Harrold turn left, signposted
Odell, Sharnbrook 13.1
9. Turn next right, signposted Odell, Sharnbrook 13.4
10. T-junction in middle of Sharnbrook
turn right, signposted Milton Ernest 16.5
11. Roundabout on A6, go straight across
towards Bedford Technology Park 17.8
12. Turn left into Thurleigh Airfield Business Park 18.8
13. Follow red signs to Bedford Autodrome 19.2
14. Arrive Bedford Autodrome 20.4
From A1 Southbound
Orange/blue route
Directions
Miles
1. Leave A1, signposted A421 to Milton Keynes 0.0
2. Take exit signposted A428 to Bedford 3.9
3. Follow signs to Bedford, A4280 Town Centre
4. Follow signs across and out of Bedford for
Kettering A6
5. Stay on A6 through Milton Ernest, follow signs
for Bedford Technology Park
6. Roundabout on the A6 at Sharnbrook,
turn right to Bedford Technology Park 14.8
7. Turn left into Thurleigh Airfield Business Park 15.8
8. Follow red signs to Bedford Autodrome 16.2
9. Arrive Bedford Autodrome 17.4
From M1 J13
Light blue route
Directions
Miles
1. Leave M1 J13, exit roundabout signposted
A421 to Bedford 0.0
2. At the next roundabout follow the sign for
the A421 Cambridge Bedford 0.4
3. Take the slip road signposted Marsh Leys
Junction, Northampton A428 (A6) 7.1
4. Take 1st left at roundabout A428 (A6)
Northampton Bromham on to The Branston Way 7.5
5. Continue over the next 4 roundabouts following
A428 Northampton 9.8
6. At 5th roundabout go Left A428 Northampton 10.8
7. Almost immediately take the next right
signposted Bromham Oakley 11.1
8. Go left towards Bromham Oakley 11.3
9. Left again to Oakley at the Swan Pub 11.4
10. Immediately take the right turn signposted
Oakley on to Village Road 11.5
11. Continue through Bromham 12.9
12. Just after Oakley Road, take right turn
signposted Oakley Pavenham (this is a tricky
one and can be missed) 12.9
13. Over the Oakley bridge and at the fork go right
signposted Pavenham on to Lovell Road 13.4
14. Straight over mini roundabout signposted
Clapham Bedford A6 13.7
15. Left at the roundabout signposted Milton
Ernest Kettering 14.1
16. Stay on A6 through Milton Ernest, follow signs
for Bedford Technology Park 18.5
17. Turn left into Thurleigh Airfield Business Park 19.5
18. Follow red signs to Bedford Autodrome 19.9
From A14 J10
Green route
Directions
Miles
1. Leave A14 J10, take A6 to Bedford 0.0
2. Roundabout on the A6 at Sharnbrook,
turn left to Bedford Technology Park 14.2
3. Turn left into Thurleigh Airfield Business Park 15.2
4. Follow red signs to Bedford Autodrome 15.6
5. Arrive Bedford Autodrome 16.8

SAT NAV POINT
SEE DIRECTIONS
A45 TO
NORTHAMPTON
PalmerSport, Bedford Autodrome,
Thurleigh Airfield Business Park,
Thurleigh, Bedford MK44 2YP
www.palmersport.com
Luton
A6
Bedford
Elstow
A 5141
1 2 m
On the day of your event only, please call Bedford Autodrome on
01234 332400 from 7.00am.
The NORTH
(A1)
For any queries prior to your event day please call the PalmerSport
Events Team on 01403 733999. Office hours 8.30am to 6.00pm.
Cambridge
A 421
Email: info@palmersport.com