The owners are looking into building a two-storey training and technology centre at the Rochester circuit.

One of the driving forces behind the plan is former racing champion and businessman John Surtees.

"This is about widening opportunities for youngsters so you don't need a sponsor with money," he said.

"Youngsters will be able to get into the motorsport industry through the normal school system."

Mr Surtees told BBC Radio Kent that he started his career with £10 and a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and training from his father.

"You couldn't do that today," he said.

The proposals include extending the existing circuit and building workshops and classrooms for courses currently being developed with local colleges.

"Over £4bn worth of sales are generated by the motor sport industry so there are lots of opportunities, not just to be drivers but to go into technology and all the fringe activities," said Mr Surtees.

"What we are out to do at Buckmore Park is to light that first emotion."

'Really excited'

The project is supported by the government's motorsport unit.

Operations manager James Stancombe said there was nothing else like it in the UK.

"We are really excited about what Buckmore has done so far and what it has got planned for the future," he said.

"We believe there are lessons for some of the more illustrious venues in motorsport to learn from the way that Buckmore is working with colleges."

He said the UK had been a world leader in motorsport for 50 years but increasing interest from the Middle East and Far East meant participation needed to be widened at the grass roots.