At the same time the former RAF airfield at Pembrey, which had been used as a chicken farm, was acquired by Llanelli Borough Council.

The circuit is popular for testing, mainly due to its variety of fast sweeping corners and tight hairpins.

Formula One teams have tested at the circuit including McLaren and their drivers Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in the late 1980s.

The Seat and VX Racing BTCC teams have tested there in previous years, as has Nigel Mansell in a GP Masters car.

The circuit is operated by the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) under the terms of a 50-year lease from Carmarthenshire County Council.

In Prost's view, Senna had broken this agreement by passing him partway round the first lap after the restart.

The following week McLaren were testing at Pembrey, and Ron Dennis (team principal) summoned both drivers to attend, as he was determined to re-establish law and order.