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#34676
From autosport.com:

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, March 4th 2008, 11:16 GMT

Silverstone's new pit complexSilverstone has unveiled the first images of the new pit and paddock complex that will be at the centre of plans for the circuit's redevelopment over the next few years.

The Northamptonshire track has big ambitions for a revamp of its facilities, which it hopes will help secure the future of the British Grand Prix.

Part of the plan includes moving the location of the track's pit and paddock complex from between Woodcote and Copse corners, to between Club and Abbey. The move will also entail a reconfiguration of the circuit layout.

The redevelopment plan, known as the Joint Silverstone Development Brief, has been referred to a full local council meeting for approval.

Damon Hill, President of Silverstone's owners the British Racing Drivers' Club, said the circuit needed the approval for the redevelopment if it was to have any chance of holding on to the British GP.

"Silverstone is a great track with a great history," he said. "These images are the vision of the future for Silverstone, and one we fervently hope will be realised, in order to provide a venue where all forms of motor sport can be celebrated in style, for the benefit of the competitor and spectator alike.

"This new facility, and the redevelopment at large, will help attract more business to Northamptonshire and create more jobs for local communities. The British Grand Prix alone contributes over £30 million a year to the local area and it is vital that we do everything we can to maintain this income as well as the UK's world class expertise in high tech engineering and R&D.

"Also, it should go without saying by now, that in order to retain the British Grand Prix we need a venue of this kind of stature, and the grand prix is a key element in the whole project."

The pit and paddock complex redevelopment is just the first part of what Silverstone hopes is a 10-year programme that will result in a new manufacturer test centre, business park, leisure complex, hotels and new houses being built.

Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone, said: "Our intention is to transform Silverstone into a world leading centre for education, business, leisure and technology.

"This will ensure Silverstone becomes a showcase for British motorsport, rivalling other great sporting venues like Wembley, Wimbledon and Twickenham."


Just for your DeMuRe. Autosport have falsified the images and Hill's words. :roll:
Last edited by McLaren Fan on 04 Mar 08, 17:06, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
By Jabberwocky
#34678
So another threat of stopping the GP has got someone to spend money
User avatar
By McLaren Fan
#34680
So another threat of stopping the GP has got someone to spend money

To be honest, the pits needed done anyway. Not that I care about a load of idiots there on free tickets who don't give a toss about the sport, but the VIP facilities are lacking as well. As a fan, what I think it badly needs is a new car park. I am, however, happy enough with the stands and places to sit. Much like Spa, the place has character and you're close to the action.

Moving the pit line between Club and Abbey is probably not a bad idea. There is more room for development around that way, and it will leave Copse, Maggots, and Becketts intact.
User avatar
By 8-ball
#34681
we all know that silverstone in general needs a major overhaul. The question is where are they going to get the money??
User avatar
By Jabberwocky
#34687
The thing that annoys me about Silverstone (apart from the parking) is the fencing around the circuit, It stops us joe public taking any decent pictures of the cars
User avatar
By 7UpJordan
#34699
They can't move the pits! It won't feel the same! Mind you they probably said the same thing when they moved the pits at Montreal back in the 80's to where they are now. I hope this re-development of Abbey is not something Tilke gets involved in, he'll just turn it into an annoying 70 mile and hour huge curvy section where nobody overtakes. Why can't they just go back to the kink - which is still there - they used to take prior to Pedro Lamy's shunt which prompted the chicane?
User avatar
By Rob-F1
#34700
Heres a picture...
Image
User avatar
By f1ea
#34701
Its only fair that some of the older circuits are being 'politely asked' to upgrade. With most of the new venues being so sharp, nice facilities, improved safety stds. and so on... these upgrades will actually help the venues look up to standard (at least for newr fans). It would suck for people to see the GP in silverstone and wonder 'why are they racing in a junkyard?'.

After all every decent spectacle is supposed to attract 'new' fans.... we'll see if with the new ban on elect. aids and hopefully introduction of slicks, those circuits (sections) where nobody seems to be able to overtake are reduced to their minimal
User avatar
By Rob-F1
#34702
If the picture I have posted above is anything to go by it'll be fantastic.
User avatar
By 7UpJordan
#34703
Its only fair that some of the older circuits are being 'politely asked' to upgrade. With most of the new venues being so sharp, nice facilities, improved safety stds. and so on... these upgrades will actually help the venues look up to standard (at least for newr fans). It would suck for people to see the GP in silverstone and wonder 'why are they racing in a junkyard?'.

After all every decent spectacle is supposed to attract 'new' fans.... we'll see if with the new ban on elect. aids and hopefully introduction of slicks, those circuits (sections) where nobody seems to be able to overtake are reduced to their minimal

I've been in the paddock at Silverstone (not at an F1 race) and I wouldn't exactly call it a "Junkyard".
User avatar
By McLaren Fan
#34705
I've been in the paddock at Silverstone (not at an F1 race) and I wouldn't exactly call it a "Junkyard".

I have to agree. The only thing Silverstone really needs is a new car park for the fans and a new pit lane. And, just to keep Ecclestone happy, some VIP facilities.

In terms of moving the pits, it would be a shame to see Abbey completely disappear, but when you look at Silverstone from the air, it's really the only place where a new development could take place. You could maybe do it on hanger straight, but then you would lose a lot of spectator space and the control tower for the airfield is there (I think) and there may well be regulations regarding that. Abbey was once a trademark of the circuit and won't be coming back. The Hanger Straight is another trademark of the circuit and we can't ruin it, certainly not for a now-boring Abbey.

In an ideal world, the pits would remain where they are and Abbey would be restored. Sadly, that won't happen, so I think these plans are the best thing to do.
User avatar
By racechick
#34714
Silverstone is noway a junkyard! Its far nicer watching there than some new tracks. |Much more to do round the track and a great atmosphere. The new ones are sterile and cater only for corporate hospitality,
So if the pits go to Abbey how will that affect Bridge? (thats where I usually watch)
User avatar
By Denthúl
#34715
How come you watch at Bridge? Is that one of the better places for overtaking?

Edit: Does that come under General Admission? I'm thinking of going this year...
User avatar
By 7UpJordan
#34716
If Tilke ever got his hands on Silverstone, he would deface it like this.

Image
User avatar
By f1ea
#34717
I've been in the paddock at Silverstone (not at an F1 race) and I wouldn't exactly call it a "Junkyard".


hey hey don't get me wrong guys! I mean unless the older circuits (Silverstone, Spa etc) upgrade and keep up witht he newer venues they will look outdated compared to the way newer venues are looking. I used junkyard as an exageration and it doesn't mean that it is a junkyard 'now', but with the way new venues are looking and if this tendency continues, the newer ones will be even more extravagant, then the older ones will certainly look outdated after a few years.

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