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| Top Gear Test Track | |
|---|---|
| Name | Top Gear Test Track |
| Location | Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, England |
| Owner | BBC (previous), Dunsfold Park Ltd. |
| Opened | 2002 |
| Length km | 2.82 |
| Length mi | 1.75 |
| Turns | 12 |
Top Gear Test Track The Top Gear Test Track is a private motor racing circuit situated on Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, England, used primarily for automotive testing and television production. Conceived for the BBC television series Top Gear, the circuit served as a dedicated venue for lap time comparisons, vehicle reviews, and filming sequences involving presenters such as Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. The facility integrates elements of former Royal Air Force infrastructure with bespoke track elements inspired by global race track features.
The site occupies part of Dunsfold Aerodrome, a former Royal Air Force base active during World War II and later associated with aviation firms like Hawker Siddeley and British Aerospace. In the early 2000s, production company BBC Studios established the test circuit to support Top Gear's format innovations, commissioning alterations from contractors experienced with venues such as Silverstone Circuit and Brands Hatch. Over its operational life the track witnessed involvement from broadcasters including BBC One and production disputes involving figures from UK television industry. The venue has been associated with Dunsfold Park redevelopment plans and commercial operators such as Dunsfold Park Ltd..
The circuit incorporates runway sections from Dunsfold Aerodrome augmented with purpose-built corners reminiscent of corners at Nürburgring, Monza, and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Key features include a long straight designed for top-speed runs, an undulating "flying" section, and a tight "arena" segment usable for slalom and braking tests. The start/finish area and pit zone were adapted to television production needs, comparable in infrastructure to facilities at Goodwood Circuit and Oulton Park. Track surfaces and kerbs were engineered with input from motorsport consultants who have worked on FIA-regulated circuits and British Touring Car Championship venues.
The Test Track hosted timed laps for a wide array of production and prototype vehicles from manufacturers like Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lotus, Maserati, Koenigsegg, Pagani, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Alfa Romeo, Subaru, Mazda, Skoda, SEAT, Citroën, Peugeot, Mini and Tesla. Presenters and celebrity guests drove vehicles such as the McLaren F1, Ferrari Enzo, Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Aventador and Aston Martin DB9 in televised challenges and timed laps. The "Power Lap" leaderboard became a point of rivalry, featuring professional racing drivers and celebrities, and benchmarking against performance standards from series like Formula One and endurance events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The circuit functioned as an on-location set for camera rigs, aerial shots, and staged challenges, employing crew and equipment familiar to productions such as Top Gear (original) and other BBC motoring programmes. Production techniques integrated camera cars, crane rigs, and helicopters operated by firms with credits on BBC One commissions and international motoring shows. Guest drivers ranged from The Stig—a persona linked to racing driver archetypes—to celebrities from Hollywood, Bollywood, Premier League footballers and motorsport personalities from events like the Isle of Man TT. The track's design facilitated sequences requiring precision choreography akin to stunts seen in James Bond films and Mad Max-style action.
Safety iterations reflected collaboration with motorsport safety authorities, drawing on standards promulgated by the FIA and marshals experienced at 24 Hours of Le Mans and British Touring Car Championship rounds. Barriers, run-off areas, and medical response capabilities were upgraded periodically, influenced by incidents in motorsport history such as crashes at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. Vehicle recovery, fire suppression systems, and presenter safety protocols were established in line with practices adopted by professional racing teams including McLaren Racing and Williams Racing.
Although primarily closed to general public use, the facility hosted manufacturer demonstrations, press launches, corporate events, and invited track days for clubs like BARC and enthusiast groups linked to marques such as Porsche Club GB and Aston Martin Owners Club. Special events included charity track days, media previews coinciding with international motor shows—Geneva Motor Show, Frankfurt Motor Show—and promotional activities for motorsport festivals similar to those at Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The circuit achieved cultural prominence through Top Gear's global syndication, influencing public perceptions of automotive performance, vehicle journalism, and motoring entertainment alongside programmes on BBC Two and international broadcasters. Its "Power Lap" format informed comparison testing on rival shows from networks like Channel 4 and Sky Sports. The venue's visual identity and presenter-driven narratives contributed to legacy discussions involving personalities such as Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, and production entities within the UK television industry. The track remains referenced in automotive journalism in outlets like Autocar, Top Gear Magazine, Evo and continues to inform circuit design conversation among operators of historic and modern racing venues.
Category:Motorsport venues in England Category:Dunsfold Aerodrome