Based in the west country it had early links with Exeter and Plymouth Kart clubs which are no longer on the karting map, but the two clubs have since left a legacy of experienced drivers and enthusiasts who are now using their skills at Dunkeswell and other UK circuits. Like our present day club many of the UK?s early Motor Sports organisations used some of the old American and RAF Airfields which were left behind after the the ?Yankee? soldiers and Battle Groups from America and Europe departed at the end of the last war. Many of these great Landing Strips have now been dug up, returned to arable pastures or redeveloped, but fortunately the early Club was lucky to have a good group of dedicated Karting and Motorsport enthusiasts to seal the fate of part of the old Airfield Fuel Bay and Runway and put the area to good Sporting use.
Although the Race circuit of today is situated on the southern side of the Blackdown Hills ? recognised for its outstanding natural beauty, those early days at Dunkeswell or any other venue were rustic to say the least. Some parts of the early airfields were surfaced in concrete and most were left open to the elements, barren and in disrepair which meant a bumpy ride for those early drivers who sought to experience the thrills of driving at speed.
The original ?Go Karting? concept was developed over 40 years ago in 1950s America. The idea was soon to spread to the UK, Europe and across the continent thanks to some innovative developments in chassis design and adaptive use of early motorcycle and motocross engines in the 50s and 60s by companies such as Villiers, Ariel, Montesa, Baltacco and McCulloch.