F1 legend and Buckmore Park owner John Surtees has brought more motorsport pedigree to the Kent track after hiring an ex-Formula Ford and F3 car maker as joint-managing director.

Steve Hollman, who has worked for Eddie Jordan Racing and led Johnny Herbert to a British Championship in 1987, will take over the role from Chris Pullman, who only began the role in April.

Mr Pullman was chief operating officer for the circuit’s former owner Bill Sisley and has left “to pursue other opportunities” after helping the new owners through the transitional period.

Mr Surtees, who lives in Edenbridge, bought the track in April and quickly installed former Land Securities director Mike Griffiths as joint-managing director to look after development.

The motorsport legend, who is the only man to win world titles in both motorcycle and car racing, also owns the freehold of the Chatham track and 90 acres adjacent to it.

He has outlined his ambitions to expand the circuit.

Mr Hollman, who started his racing career in the late 1970s, notably joined his nephew Trevor at the eponymous Carlin Motorsport in 1999 and grew it from a two car F3 entry to multi-series entrants.

It won championships and competed in GP2, GP3, A1 Grand Prix, British Formula 3, World Series by Renault, Formula BMW and Porsche Supercup.

Mr Surtees said: “Steve brings with him extensive knowledge of the motorsport industry and junior motorsport, through his previous association with the highly respected and successful Carlin racing organisation.

“He joins us at a very exciting time; there are huge opportunities and challenges ahead as we continue to improve its facilities and accelerate our growth strategy.”

After initially building Formula Fords for PRS Racing Cars, Mr Hollman entered team management to great effect in 1987, winning the British Championship with rookie driver Johnny Herbert, giving Eddie Jordan Racing its maiden Championship win.

He also found success with his own British F3 team, Bowman Racing, winning the British Championship in 1989, before building his own range of F3 cars which were entered in the British, French and Japanese national championships.

He has spent the last five years researching renewable energy drive systems.