After months steering the country through the pandemic, key workers were able to enjoy a wilder kind of driving experience at Buckmore Park.

The race track near Blue Bell Hill reopened today, and the honour of the first kart race went to a group of essential workers nominated for their vital work over the past year.

Key workers enjoyed the driving experience at Buckmore Park

Having been closed to the public for much of the pandemic, the circuit's owners welcomed 18 special guests, who were selected from more than 100 nominations to have a space on the starting grid.

Among them was Dr Ash Peshen, 46, a GP and vaccination leader for the Saga vaccination centre in Thanet, who was nominated by fellow GP Suzie Marsden.

"She felt we needed a break", he said. "I've got two of my team members here and it's great. It's good to say thank you to everybody and it's a bit of fun."

Reflecting on the past months, he added: "It's been a bit of an interesting year. It's been a challenge and we've had to change the way we work very quickly.

"All patients were dealt with face-to-face before and suddenly it went to the telephone within a day, which was a bit of a culture shock, but it was necessary at that time for the sake of the patients.

"We set up the 'hot sites' in Kent and Medway, which were primary care sites for anyone with Covid. It was a tremendous achievement by everybody. We could carry on with day-to-day work at the practice but everyone with Covid went to that site, so it protected everyone.

"The vaccination programme itself has been a tremendous success - we've done 100,000 at our site and more than two million across Kent."

George Jones, 22, was nominated by a colleague from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate.

"I'm an emergency department technician," he explained. "We're the people who see you if you have horrible wounds or broken bones, we fix you up and help you as much as we can. It's been a busy year, but everyone has really pulled together and it's improved morale.

"I did lose a colleague and that was quite something. It really hit home, and it's quite hard to talk about it."

But despite the struggles of the past year, George said he was looking forward to racing.

"I'm a race fan," he explained. "I've been here before and today is about getting back in the seat and practising."

Jacqui Sarakbi is programme director for urgent emergency care for Kent and Medway CCG.

"My team nominated, much to my surprise for the work we've done on Covid response for Kent. We have oversight for all the services - A&E, ambulance and 111, as well as critical care itself.

"It's been really difficult, but it's amazing how everybody has come together and worked in partnership. It's been overwhelming but amazing."

Asked if she was a fan of kart racing, she added: "I might be in half-an-hour. I've never done it before."

Before the first session started, a historic Surtees team Formula One TS19 racing car that had been driven during the 1970s by Australian F1 World Champion Alan Jones, completed a lap of the track.

Racing legend John Surtees bought the circuit after becoming the only person to be world champion on two and four-wheels.

And his daughter Leonora Martell-Surtees, now co-owner of Buckmore Park, was on hand to get the race under way.

"It's a pretty significant day," she said. "It's been a difficult year. We got to January and we weren't sure what the future was but we're just really excited and relieved to be here today.

"We're looking forward and we're hopeful for the summer. We've got a great community supporting us."

Also on the track for the grand opening day was Rochester-based YouTuber Steve Brown, whose racing videos have been watched by millions online.

He said: "It was a surreal experience to drive a Formula One car around a kart circuit. Not least as I've been racing there for 20 years now.

"The car has an unreal amount of power and the sound was absolutely immense. It was a tad difficult to get it through the tighter corners though!

"I'm very happy to see that track back on its feet and I thank them very much for the opportunity to be at the re opening.”

The key workers race itself saw a hotly-contested battle for first place, with teacher Harry Sisley narrowly beating Amazon driver Andrew Moss, while train driver Matt Goater followed in third place.

The 1,000-metre international-standard circuit can host up to 18 karts at any one time, with each capable of reaching speeds of up to 70mph.

The kart circuit now operates from noon till 8pm Wednesday to Friday and from 10am until 8pm at weekends. For information on the opportunities to kart at Buckmore as individuals or part of a group, click here.

The full line up of key workers was:

Adam Haines, military

Andrew Moss, Amazon driver

Dr Ash Peshen GP

Ellie Turrell, nurse

George Jones, A&E technician

Harry Sisley, teacher

Jacqui Sarakbi, lead commissioner of 111 and 999

Jamie Evans, dustcart driver

John Paul Lisle, pastoral manager at school

Matt Goater, train driver

Rohit Silhi, A&E doctor

Sandra Merron, prescription administrator

Steve Tunnicliffe, police traffic officer

Stewart Dimmick, paramedic

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