West Lindsey District Council was invited to Blyton Park Race Track, a ‘hidden gem’ tucked away in the district.
The business which attracts between 25,000 - 30,000 visitors annually has become a vibrant hub for fast cars and thrilling experiences.
Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Trevor Young and Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Lesley Rollings, visited the business to understand how it plays a significant role in the leisure industry.
Originally an airfield which opened in 1942 as RAF Blyton, it was home to 2,355 service personnel during World War II. The site was transformed into Blyton Park in 2011. With ten configurations catering to track days, driving experiences and various motor disciplines, the track has become a versatile venue for enthusiasts.
Managing Directors Alan and Angie Mugglestone have been operating Blyton Park for four years and has experienced the growth and popularity of the business. Alan said:
“We are hidden gem. We get so many visitors here and 50 percent of people stay in hotels, having meals at the Black Horse Inn and supporting the local economy. In terms of our track, it is very safe. If you accidently find yourself off the track, you are more than likely just going to end up in fields.”
The Covid -19 pandemic brought unexpected opportunities for Blyton Park, as people turned to track car experiences when traditional holidays were limited. Alan added:
“We found that Covid-19 was good for us. As people found they could not book a holiday, they decided to build a track car. As it then rescinded, and everything opened back up we had a boom and influx of people.”
Alan has grown up in this business and appreciates new people coming into the industry, especially young people. He said February to October is the active season and Blyton Park has a total of twenty non-track days. Outside of these days the track is closed for repairs.
“We have something on every weekend here. For a Super Car Experience, we can get about four hundred people over a day. What most people do not know either is that we are an anti-clockwise track. Most tracks are usually clockwise. We also have the British Sprint Championship here. So, that consists of about 110 entries plus marshals, spectators and more,” Alan Explained.
Deputy Leader of the Council and ward member for Scotter and Blyton, Cllr Lesley Rollings voiced her enthusiasm for how successful Blyton Park has become. She said:
“It has been a pleasure to visit Blyton Park Race Track and see just how hard they have worked and their dedication to motor sport, tourism and the local community.
“I hope we can continue to support them in the future alongside other businesses across West Lindsey. Recreational leisure activities are crucial to our health and wellbeing, and I look forward seeing them continue to develop for the future.”
In 2017 the site was sold to Ginetta, the only true British car manufacturer left and is owned by Lawrence Tomlinson. The track is regarded as fast and challenging but an incredibly fun circuit. It has welcomed notable personalities like Freddie Flintoff, contributing to its status as a hidden gem in the leisure industry.
However, it enables drivers of all levels to have the opportunity to practice car control in a safe and friendly environment.
Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Trevor Young expressed his gratitude towards the business. He said:
“It was great seeing how Blyton Park Race Track has developed over time into a place people enjoy and come to from across the Country and even abroad. As a Council, we are committed to supporting local businesses to achieve their full potential by providing a wide range of tailored support at any stage of their business cycle.”
For more information about what business support West Lindsey District Council can offer, please visit our Business support webpages.