Electric go-karting operator revs up Bicester Motion plans

Bicester Motion, a 444-acre mobility technology estate in Oxfordshire, has teamed up with TeamSport to create a £6m indoor electric go-karting centre. Bicester motion has lodged change-of-use plans with Cherwell District Council to redevelop Hangar 127, a 31,000 sq ft Grade II listed building. The company will invest £4m in renovating the historic hangar, conserving its external fabric. TeamSport will spend £2m fitting the building out with a state-of-the-art 500 metre electric go-karting track and centre.  Following the revamp, TeamSport will occupy the facility on a 10-year lease. TeamSport has 40 electric go-karting centres across the UK. Its new centre is adjacent to Bicester Motion’s new £60m scheme, which will have seven buildings totalling 215,000 sq ft when completed. The first three buildings have been prelet to the Mercedes Benz-owned YASA Motors. The business community in the wider estate includes NEOM McLaren, Polestar, Zapp and synthetic fuel manufacturer Zero. Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive at Bicester Motion, said: “Our estate is uniquely placed to offer this new experience for future young talent in Bicester and Oxfordshire, and enable us to invest in sensitively restoring our hangar and secure its health for its second century.” Dominic Gaynor, chief executive officer at TeamSport, said: “We will be providing a new two-level track for everyone to enjoy and creating jobs in both the construction and operational phases.” Hugh Chambers, chief executive officer at Motorsport UK which is based at Bicester Motion, added: “With more than 5,500 annual participants in the BIKC, TeamSport provides an affordable route into the sport through their racing leagues, while Discover Your Drive has played a groundbreaking role in growing female participation in karting for 8-12 year old girls. We look forward to having them as our neighbours and opening the sport to the Bicester and Oxfordshire and wider community.” Agent Richard Morris represented TeamSport. Images © Bicester Motion