A ground-breaking ceremony for the new $39.2 million (£29million) Lake Torrent track in Northern Ireland has taken place, with construction work on the circuit set to begin next month.

The 2.23-mile, 12-turn circuit was granted planning permission by Mid Ulster District Council earlier in September, according to AutoSport.

Officials from Manna Developments, the private development company in charge of the project, hope to start the build in October with an opening date in early spring 2019.

Race track design firm Driven International has also been working on the project, developing the concept circuit design with Manna Developments.

Lake Torrent will be located on a former clay pit site near the town of Coalisland in County Tyrone.

A unique feature of the track's design is a submerged quarter-mile straight that will have a retaining wall opposite a grandstand, which it is hoped will produce a tunnel-like experience.

Along with the race circuit and pit garages, the first phase of work will include a medical center, restaurant, hospitality suites and six business units.