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🏁 Circuit Overview
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Full‑circuit length ≈ 1.497 km (~0.93 mi) with 12 turns—tight and twisty but includes a longer back loop for a short straight boost.
Also offers Long Circuit ⟶ ≈ 1.095 km, and Perimeter Circuit ⟶ ≈ 0.700 km -
Direction is clockwise. Although it’s small, it’s ACU‑licensed for motorcycle track use, including supermoto and road‑legal bike events.
🏍️ Rider Experience & Why It Works
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Great for road‑legal machines: The “Bike Attack” format lets you spin laps on your road-legal bike with just a licence and MOT—no slicks or warmers allowed, perfect for beginners and A2 riders.
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Cheap & flexible: Sessions of 10 minutes cost just £16, or £41 for 3 sessions—the cheapest UK trackday format available. Runs typically from 2 pm–8 pm, with ability to switch groups mid-event.
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Skill-building layout: Lots of technical corners—including Conrod Straight, Coward’s Summit, Paddock Bend, Lucy’s Valley and the Esses—perfect for honing handling, braking, and smooth transition skills.
⚠️ Limitations & Considerations
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Too small for big bikes: 600cc+ liter bikes may feel restricted in pace and space. The layout is best suited to smaller machines and slow paced learning.
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Minimal facilities: There’s no garage power or fuel on-site, so plan accordingly. Just a café, toilets, and limited infrastructure.
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Noise limits: Static cap ~105 dB, drive-by ~98 dB—decibel testing is present and enforced.
🔑 Riding Strategy & Key Sections
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Conrod Straight → Paddock Bend: Hard braking depth exercise followed by a sweeping right-hander. Late apex gets you momentum into Rogerson’s loop.
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Lunar Bend & Valley → Joey Dunlop Corner: Tight 180° right, then climb uphill into a left hairpin. Smooth throttle and precision line bring exit speed for the back complex.
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The Esses & Lucy’s Valley: Short quick transitions—good for practicing smooth body shift and vision line.
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Back Loop climb (Coward’s Summit): Rolling uphill after Rogerson’s Straight; throttle control key for traction heading back onto the straight.
This track rewards precision, smooth throttle control, braking accuracy, and vision rather than raw power.
🛠️ Setup & Riding Tips
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No tyre‑warmers allowed—warm-up carefully. It’s a short, technical track where consistent smoothness matters more than outright speed.
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Brakes: Frequent short braking zones—use fresh fluid and practice trail-brake on slower corners.
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Suspension/Bike Setup: Snap response and handling agility trump outright stability—soft‑medium compression with responsive pickup works best.
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Rider posture: Stay compact through tight corners, focus on vision lines—apex and exit markers over chasing others.
🧭 Event Format & Logistics
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Bike Attack Days:
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Road‑legal only; open to full or A2 licence holders.
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Drop-in 10-minute sessions: £16 for single, £41 for three segments.
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Runs afternoon/evening; riders can shift between novice or advanced classes during the day.
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ACU Test or Trackday Events:
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2‑hour structured sessions available via Preston & District MCC; riders need ACU licence.
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Typically £35 for members. These offer supervised and timed riding in small groups.
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Facilities:
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No garages, electrical or fuel available on-site.
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Café, toilets, paddock parking; camping not permitted. Nearest hotels in Wigan and Ashton.
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✅ Who It’s Suitable For
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Novice riders wanting to trial track riding on their road bikes safely and affordably.
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Intermediate or returning riders practicing brake markers, slow-speed transitions, throttle control.
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Small-capacity bike users (e.g. 125–500cc) testing basics of line, vision, and confidence rather than big-bike power.
📌 Pro Tips
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Watch onboard laps or circuit walkthroughs beforehand to visualise braking and apex points.
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Use your first session gently—assess grip and braking markers before pushing.
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Focus on smooth lines and vision over lean angle or speed—this layout rewards stability.
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Skip slicks and tyre warmers—your road bike should be legal and simple in setup.
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Bring your own snacks, fuel, tools, tyre pressure gauge—onsite support is minimal.