Monaco is synonymous with Formula 1, but Kingston could also become a great street race circuit, after a track drawn up for the town captured the imagination of local business leaders.

The fanciful plans were the brainchild of Kingston resident Andrew van de Burgt, editor of Autosport, who dreamt up the route for the magazine on his commute through the one-way system.

Highlights of the Kingston Grand Prix would include the John Lewis Tunnel, a loop around College Roundabout and a right turn at Mecca Bingo Bend.

Take a drive around the course



The “2.3 miles of street racing bliss” would have an estimated lap time of one minute 40 seconds, if speeds up to 155mph along Wheatfield Way were reached.

Now, despite the traffic disruption and the hurdle of having to change the law to actually allow street racing, there is a slim chance the Kingston Grand Prix dream could become a reality.

At their January meeting, local business leaders were captivated by the idea and asked Kingston town centre manager Graham McNally to try to make it happen in 2012.

Mr McNally said: “It would be mad, but hell, it would be memorable. It would really put Kingston on the map.”

He put the chances of it going ahead at about 30 per cent – providing a ray of hope for local motorsport fans who would like to see F1 on their doorstep. However, Donington Park has an agreement in place to host the British Grand Prix for 10 years from 2010.

But the law prevents F1 coming to British streets. The Road Traffic Act prohibits cars from breaking the speed limit, even if the roads are closed.

For the Kingston street circuit to happen, the council would have to agree the change and then convince Government to bring in legislation.

Kingston and Surbiton MP Edward Davey could make it happen through a Private Members’ Bill, but only if he won the annual ballot to put forward a change to the law.

The MP said he was “sceptical” of the plans and added: “I’d have to be strongly convinced that this would be more in Kingston’s interest than changing the law in other ways.”

The route itself has also lent itself to some criticism.

Mr van de Burgt accepted his circuit might have to be changed for safety reasons because Kingston Bridge lacks a central reservation and cars could hit one another head-on as they come back across it.

Keith Mainland, from Sutton & Cheam Motor Club, whose video test-run of the route can be seen on the Surrey Comet website, also doubted it would be suited to low-lying F1 cars, because the route is too bumpy.

But he said it could be ideal for saloon or sports cars.“There’s not enough run-off around the edge of the circuit. And that’s a problem in places like Monaco, too,” he said.

The logistics of hosting the British Grand Prix would also play havoc with the local transport system. Transport for London would have to divert the many bus routes that come to Kingston bus station as if it became a temporary pit lane.

But, while Mr van de Burgt accepts his course may be a far-fetched pipe dream, he said: “It would be a success that would sell out completely. If we built it, they would come.”

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