Three Sisters Race Circuit
Layouts
Cadet Loop
Length: 375m
Turns: 2
Junior Circuit
Length: 685m
Turns: 7
Club Circuit
Length: 1069m
Turns: 9
EKS Lap Record: 50.104 by Salvador Newman
Perimeter Circuit
Length: 1115m
Turns: 9
Valley Circuit
Length: 1130m
Turns: 15
Full Circuit
Length: 1473m
Turns: 12
History
The origins of its name
Three Sisters Race Circuit is located on the former site of Garswood Hall Colliery, a coal mine which opened in 1867 and closed in August 1958.
The circuit takes its name from three huge spoil heaps, known locally as the Three Sisters or the Wigan Alps, which consisted of dirt excavated whilst coal mining. At the time of the mines closure these heaps had grown to be well over 150 feet tall.
The three spoil heaps, nicknamed the Three Sisters, which were located on the now site of the circuit
Conversion of the site
In 1960, the derelict site of the former colliery was bought by Lancashire County Council before a grant from the Department of the Environment enabled the council to begin reclamation works towards the end of the 1960s.
A total of 3.5 million tonnes of earth was moved and reshaped, 10 miles of sewers, ditches and surface water drains were created and 21 million gallons of water was pumped out along with an equivalent amount of silt.
A government reorganisation in 1974 saw the project taken over by Greater Manchester Council before the project was finally handed over to Wigan Metropolitan Borough for completion and management.
Garswood Hall Colliery soon before it closed in the 1950s
Opening of the circuit
The Three Sisters Recreation Area was opened to the public in November 1978, boasting a country park, a lake and most importantly as its centrepiece the 1,069 metre long Three Sisters Race Circuit. Woodland was also planted around to create the thriving nature reserve which surrounds the circuit.
The Club Circuit is the original layout of the track and it soon began to thrive. Although originally a kart circuit, attention soon drew from other forms of motorsport with motorcycle racing the first to arrive.
A kart race soon after the circuit opened
A map of the circuit in the 1980s including its original corner names
Motorcycle racing begins at the circuit
The Preston and District Motorcycle Club hosted the first non-karting events at the circuit less than 2 years after it opened as they began organising motorcycle races in 1980. During these early years, the circuit hosted race meetings which included karts, scooters, bicycles, motorcycles and sidecars.
Many other clubs ran motorcycle meetings at the circuit, including Fleetwood, Shaw & District Motor Club and Bolton Motorcycle Club.
Pictures from a motorcycle race taken at Lunar Bend in 1993
Extension
The circuit was then extended at the start of the 1990s to its full 1,479 metre length as seen today.
The section of the Full Circuit from the end of the Conrod Straight, up Penrith Climb, over Coward’s Summit and down to Joey Dunlop corner was added, as was the Valley section of track which climbs over Lucy’s Valley.
The circuit in circa 1989 prior to its extension
The circuit in circa 1991 soon after the creation of the Full Circuit and the Valley Circuit
A map of the circuit from 1992
Introduction of car sprinting and rallying at the circuit
Soon after the circuit was extended, new safety barriers were installed at the track thanks to Wigan & District Motor Club member Alan Bibby - a deal was brokered with the landowner of the former Ponderosa Circuit in Cumbria for all of their Armco barriers.
The installation of the barriers at Three Sisters meant that car sprints and other events could now be organised for the first time, expanding the venues capability.
Footage from a car sprinting event in 1990
Breeding ground for world champions
During the 1990s the circuit continued to grow in popularity with both the two- and four-wheeled community. 2003 World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson took his first ever win on two-wheels at the track in 1990, whilst 2004 and 2007 World Superbike Champion James Toseland began his career at the circuit riding a 75cc Cagiva Prima in the 1995 Junior Racing Association events. 2007 and 2011 MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner raced at Three Sisters in the 1990s, as did 7-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
The televised Champions of the Future karting championships first visited the circuit in 1999 with Three Sisters becoming a regular fixture on the calendar in the following years.
A picture of Lewis Hamilton racing around the circuit in the mid 1990s
Continued success into the new century
The circuit continued to grow in popularity into the 21st century as it became a regular fixture in national championships such as Super One and Champions of the Future, later known as Formula Kart Stars.
The circuit experienced a significant upgrade in the mid 2000s as floodlights were installed around the circuit, increasing the tracks opening times and potential.
Lando Norris racing around the circuit at the start of the 2010s
The circuit in 2006 soon after the installation of floodlights
Parent company goes into liquidation
In May 2017 there was shock amongst the motorsport community when the circuit suddenly closed its gates as its operating company Motorsport Management Ltd unexpectedly went into liquidation. It had debts of up to £2,000,000 and staff were made redundant.
Thankfully Wigan Council, who owned the land which the circuit is located on, swiftly intervened and a new management team was soon found, led by former Buckmore Park owner Bill Sisley and managing director Chris Pullman. Bill owned Buckmore Park from 1985 to 2015, transforming the circuit from a 400m derelict dirt track to the fully fledged 1000m circuit seen today which you can read more about on our Buckmore Park page.
A hire-kart race in the mid 2010s
Resurfacing works take place
The following year much-needed resurfacing work was carried out following an incident in 2017 in which a motorcycle rider suffered serious injuries. It was suggested that the track surface played a part in the incident and the Auto-Cycle Union, Britain’s motorcycle racing governing body, called for urgent changes which were completed by the new management team.
At the same time the circuits kerbs returned back to their traditional red and white colours having been painted black and white during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Prince Harry making a visit to the circuit in the 2010s
Circuit celebrates it 40th anniversary
The circuit celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018 and continues to go from strength to strength.
Top Gear visited the circuit in 2020 as part of a challenge to remain in their cars for 24 hours. Chris Harris, Paddy McGuiness and Freddie Flintoff completed 2 laps of the Perimeter Circuit each with Freddie Flintoff crashing his Volvo S60 into the tyre barriers on the outside of Penrith Climb. You can watch the full episode here.
The circuit as it is today