LEGENDARY figures in motor sport have given Chatham's Buckmore Park kart circuit a racing start in its quest to find Britain’s next Nigel Mansell (Trevor Sturgess writes).

Bernie Ecclestone, the multi-millionaire boss of Formula One, took time out from his hectic globe-trotting schedule to open a new club £1 million clubhouse that will help put the circuit in pole position.

He was flanked by Sir Stirling Moss and John Surtees, the inspiration behind a surge of development at the circuit owned by Bill Sisley.

Sports minister Richard Caborn joined them in a VIP gathering that included Jim Rosenthal, television anchorman for ITV Grand Prix coverage, simon Taylor, the BBC commentator, and industry experts. Sadly, Mr Sisley was ill and unable to attend.

Young aces of the future, aged between eight and 15, gave a fearless display of driving for more than 150 guests.

Mr Ecclestone unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. He said: “I am very pleased that John has got behind karting which is a very important part of motorsport. I am pushing Formula 1 circuits to build kart circuits where we could include a series in F1 weekends.”

Mr Surtees, who lives in Edenbridge and is still the only world champion on both two and four wheels, discovered Buckmore when he brought his son, then eight, to the circuit four years ago.

He wants Buckmore Park to become one of the top karting circuits in the country.

Karting was the grass roots of motor sport, he said, and it was vital to develop young talent not only as drivers but also as mechanics, engineers and marshals.

“There may be another Michael Schumacher or Valentino Rossi out there, as for too long we have not had a British world champion Grand Prix driver or rider,” he said. “It is a dream, but dreams can come true.”

Part of his dream involves the creation of a £3m training and technology centre aimed at encouraging young people into the sport.

Mr Surtees hopes funding from Government and private firms will help pay for the centre.

Mr Caborn backed the idea, saying that Government cash could be available to meet its “social inclusion” policies. It cost the taxpayer £120,000 to keep problem kids in secure accommodation and it would save a lot of money if they could be encouraged to drive cars at Buckmore Park rather than cause trouble.