Brands Hatch is an internationally-renowned motor racing circuit near Sevenoaks in Kent.

Once used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 British Formula One Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events.

The design and build

The riders will race round a course that passes through the Kent county and the district of Sevenoaks in Kent. Brands Hatch will make up approximately half of the course, including the start and finish.

Requirements for the Paralympic Road Cycling course are very precise. It needs to be suitable and challenging for a wide variety of disability groups.

The loop course of 7–10km is completed a different number of times based on the event distance. Approximately 25% of the course is uphill sections of not more than 6% gradient and the route includes some challenging bends or technical sections, while the road width is adequate to allow for bunch sprints in the finish straight.

Much of the existing Brands Hatch infrastructure will be used by the London 2012 Organising Committee during the Games.

If this summer has inspired you to get on a bike...