About the South East Motor Sport Enthusiasts Club
SEMSEC has been promoting motor sport events at Lydden International Race Circuit since 1994.
In 1995 the management of SEMSEC was taken over by Tunbridge Wells Motor Club with the assistance of Borough 19 Motor Club and Rochester Motor Club. It also involved the then Lydden Marshals Club and a number of experienced motor sport officials. One of the changes made was the introduction of Sprints to precede the racing, which would normally be prohibitively expensive if run on their own.
Getting involved
The involvement of the clubs provides their members with the opportunity to get involved in race events, an opportunity not normally available because of the expense of running a race meeting, the man power involved and the rules govening the promotion of race meetings. With the extra income from the Sprint events, to help suppliment the race income, it keeps down the entry fees for both disciplines.
It has always been SEMSECs philosophy to promote clubman level motor sport to the widest possible audience. This philosophy applies to its competitors as well as the clubs. Race championships were established to cater for most cars. In 1997 a Handicap championship for saloon cars was set up and has been a popular part of each meeting ever since.
Greater heights
SEMSEC has grown in popularity over the years and enjoys some very entertaining races and good grids. SEMSEC’s meetings often include guest championships which have included the Drayton Manor MG Metros, Thorough Bred Sports and GTs and most famously the spectacular Formula 5000 races.
SEMSEC’s current success is entirely down to the support and co-operation of all the clubs, individuals and competitors involved. It is their intention to continue to provide entertainment, opportunity and financial benefit for all those involved.
This website contains all the information you need to get involved with SEMSEC. It includes basic information on the requirements for competing, marshalling or officiating. The site also contains results, dates and pictures of race meetings and track days. Championship details are available as are regulations and entry forms to download.
We hope you will want to be a part of the action.
Download our latest newsletter here.
Lydden International Race Circuit
Lydden may be one of the shorter circuits, but it is very popular with both competitors and spectators. Competitors find the Lydden Circuit quite a challenge with its variety of bends, gradients and short straights keeping them very busy. Spectators like Lydden because it is a natural bowl and where ever they choose to view from they can see most of the track.
Potted History
In the 1960s Bill Chesson established the Lydden motor sport venue close
to Lydden Village near Canterbury. The track was shorter than it is now,
and in those early days ran in the opposite direction. The circuit hosted
events for race cars, bikes, stock cars and banger racing. It was also the
venue for the first Rallycross meeting.
In the late 80s Bill sold the venue to Rallycross enthusiast Tom Blissett. McLaren took a 50% share in Lydden in the early 90s and eventually became the sole owner. In 1993 McLaren signed a deal with the British Motor Cycle Racing Club (BEMSEE) who agreed to lease and manage the circuit from 1994 onwards.
In 2008 Pat Doran, the former British Rallycross Champion, took over the lease and has made may upgrades to the circuit infrastructure. These upgrades included the resurfacing of the paddock and widening run off areas.
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