Hope Three Sisters could be re-opened

The race course closed suddenly earlier this week after its parent company went bust. But the Post has learnt that Wigan Council is working on a rescue package and officials believe the circuit does have a future.

A town hall spokesman said: “Following the announcement of The Racing School Ltd being placed into liquidation the council as freeholder of the Three Sisters Race Circuit is working with our tenant Motor Sport Management Ltd to ensure that the facility is re-opened as soon as practical.”

The company that runs the sporting landmark went into liquidation this week with eye-watering debts of £2m.

Staff at the Ashton site have been left jobless and many customers left out of pocket.

A typed sign was hung on the gates reading “Three Sisters Race Circuit is currently closed for urgent repairs. We hope to open again shortly.”

A number of charities use the track including the Blair Project - encouraging karting and engineering among disadvantaged youngsters - which had a visit from Prince Harry last year. The council’s intervention will offer hope to those who have launched campaigns to save the site.

A Facebook page named “Save Three Sisters Race Circuit” is asking people for ideas on how to save the circuit before it is too late and proposing public donations.

Among them is Coun Bob Brierly, a long-term supporter of the race track who also raises money to provide karts, spoke about the future of the facility. “This is my passion,” he said. “It’s the Three Sisters complex; it was built for motorsports. It cannot be sold off under the localism act. It’s a community asset and it’s too important to people for it to go.” Meanwhile, the sight loss charity Galloway’s has been forced to cancel its much-loved Driving Day, which was due to take place on Monday (May 8), at the venue.

James Coulton, activities co-ordinator at Galloways, said: “We’ve spent all day frantically trying to arrange an alternative. Whilst we did get some very generous offers about other pieces of land, driver and passenger safety has to be our number one consideration, and we have no other option but to cancel.”

Galloway’s Chief Executive, Stuart Clayton, explained: “On Wednesday morning, we were informed that the circuit operating company at the 3 Sisters Race Track had gone into liquidation and suddenly closed. Despite many attempts, we have been unable to contact anybody at the race track and have had no choice but to cancel our Driving Day.”