Three Sisters

Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 8DD www.threesisterscircuit.co.uk

Arriving at the Three Sisters Circuit for the first time can be a little strange, as you go from a housing area to an industrial estate to the recreation area. Ashton-in-Makerfield is a suburb of Wigan, which goes part of the way to explaining why the circuit has been synonymous with racing scooters over the years

Ask any racer about Three Sisters circuit and you will quickly find the BSSO racers have a real love/hate relationship with the circuit that is arguably the ‘spiritual home’ of UK scooter racing.

Through the 1980s and 90s there were more scooter races here than anywhere else and any racer from that area has probably done thousands of laps of this tight, twisty circuit and probably fallen off on all of its bends. Some years there were five or more races here, and it doesn’t suit everyone for sure. As it was built by a local authority as part of a larger recreation area reclaiming the land from three huge slag heaps (the Three Sisters), the circuit has suffered some subsidence and gradually became bumpy, which affects the small wheels of scooters more than motorcycles, and with virtually no run-off in places it has a reputation for crashes and injuries.

In recent years the circuit has gone through some turbulence and threats of closure, but a couple of years ago a new company took over the lease and resurfaced, so things are looking up.

But the fact remains that from a racer’s point of view it can be dangerous despite not being a super-fast circuit. Limited run-offs mean barriers are alarmingly close to the track in places, and behind those barriers spectators can get closer to the track than virtually anywhere else.

Racers’ reputations were made there in the 1980s and 90s when riders such as Dave Webster, Norrie Kerr, Terry Frankland, Malc Anderson, Bob West and the like were winning races.

In more recent years CCharliei Edmonds and Stuart Day had some fantastic battles, but the circuit is also a great leveller where outright power is less important than street fighting riding ability. I remember Ed Hocking taking fastest lap on a relatively underpowered engine and a scooter equipped with a front drum brake.

The circuit has also ended a few careers, ranging from the legendary Dave Webster to the less legendary

Scootering editor Dan Clare – both have broken bones here. (Ed note – thanks for highlighting that, Paul!)

Other than the start straight there is no straight really worthy of that name, and after the start it’s a right-hand flick to climb over the hill of Cowards Summit in a continuous curve before dropping down to a sharp right-hander. The drop from Cowards Summit is where spectators can get really close, and even as a racer watching from there it can be a terrifying experience of speed, with riders diving into the right-hand bend. There is then a short straight with some covered viewing areas before the Paddock bend takes riders to an infield uphill hairpin which is as far away as the riders will actually get from the spectating area, but it’s still all in plain view from 75% of the spectator areas.

Leaving the infield area the riders take a left-right-left flick before a left-hand bend takes them straight into the right-hand Lunar bend. Then it’s back to the start straight – which is actually three bends in one, like a threepenny bit (to give the bend its alternative name).

The Lunar bend and Start straight is flanked by a high grass bank which offers

fantastic viewing of almost the whole of the mile long twisty-turny circuit.

But stand at pretty much any track barrier and you can see the majority of the track and follow it round. From a spectator’s point of view only Lydden Hill is a match in terms of what you can actually see,

Facilities-wise after a good few years of neglect things are on the up, with a clubhouse and bar offering good, cheap food and drink.

If you are camping there is only limited area of grass for tents so it’s advisable to try and nab them early.

It’s not too far to walk into town and the pub is not far away. Again, ask any old racer of nights spent there and you will hear tales of drunken escapades generally involving northern girls, chip shop pies and scuffles with locals. There are many tales to tell. If I were you I would definitely have Three Sisters on my list of races to see!