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[8-ball]

well they have got £100m and about 2 years to get it up to code. Knowing how the British build everything late and overbudget i'm not holding my breath

[EwanM]

Donington reveals revamp plans

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/69022

By Edd Straw and Simon Strang Thursday, July 10th 2008, 13:43 GMT


Donington Park's owners have revealed details of their planned revamp of the venue that will make the race track suitable for Formula One when its first planned British Grand Prix takes place in 2010.

The current 2.5-mile circuit, which last hosted a Formula One race in 1993, will be extended by approximately half a mile thanks to the addition of a new loop at the final corner.

A new pit and paddock complex will be constructed on the inside of Starkey's Straight, while the Esses chicane may also be removed or reprofiled to extend the length of the new start-finish straight.

Track co-owner Simon Gillett, who admitted that keeping the run from Redgate to Coppice intact was a key part of their plans, explained his ideas for the new layout in this week's Autosport.

"Off the Melbourne loop, instead of going around Goddards corner and 180 degrees onto the [current] start-finish straight, you'll go straight on and do a half-mile loop before going back onto the [current] start-finish straight," he said.

Gillett confirmed that the circuit, which also hosts the British round of the MotoGP world championship in July, would remain open during the build that is scheduled to begin in October and will be overseen by FIA-favoured track designer Hermann Tilke.

"We close the circuit from October to March except for testing, and we're going to be doing the same this year," said Gillett. "During that period we're going to be doing all the works that need to be done to the track to bring us to FIA standard.

"We're building the pits and paddock on the infield next year, and there's no reason why race meetings can't happen at the same time. During the closed period we will be doing the cutting of the asphalt for the pitlane and for the track extension."

Gillett says that while the circuit is not currently suitable to host an F1 event, it is already wide enough and only minimal new safety measures are required, given the extent of the grass run-off that already exists at the track.

"We don't have to move the barriers back - we have adequate run-offs," he said. "What we will be looking at is FIA/FOM run-offs, where there's a mix of asphalt and gravel."

Gillett concedes that Donington's two key hurdles to overcome, setting aside securing the investment to pay for the revisions, are to build-up the circuit's infrastructure and surroundings and to gain the planning permission to do so.

Silverstone's Managing Director Richard Phillips expressed his doubts, however, at Donington's ability to secure the planning permission in the time-frame set out to run the event in 2010.

"I have my concerns," he said. "I know what it takes to go through planning; it takes time. Maybe they'll get fast-track, but good luck to them."

Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons has promised to do all he can to help Donington hit its deadlines however.

"I'm not going to act until I know exactly what the proposals are," Parsons told Autosport. "But Leicestershire is one of the top authorities in the country and, if anyone can do it, we can. We will be extremely positive in the way that we approach things."

Gillett explained that planning permission for the changes had not been applied for because the track did not want to reveal details of their British GP plans before their contract was announced - but said the process would start soon.

"We had to wait - if we'd submitted an F1 application prior to announcing a contract I think we might have let the cat out of the bag," he said. "We're currently working through the finer points and you'll see out masterplan coming out in the next few weeks."

"You don't enter into a contract with Bernie Ecclestone without thinking about it long and hard. We are ready."


EwmanM's crappy artist impression (not official)

[texasmr2]

If that interpretation is right it is good to see that most of the track has been kept intact. The track in it's overall layout is very reminiscent of the Osterreichring to me which is my favorite track.

[EwanM]

If that interpretation is right it is good to see that most of the track has been kept intact.

Aye maybe that look will see a chicane added or be longer or something. But that's what they are basically saying.
The way they are talking, it seems that not that much needs done, bar the new pits and what not.

[KyrosV]

[i]

wow your even better than herman tilke

[EwanM]

[i]

wow your even better than herman tilke

Why thank you. They should hire me. I know circuit layouts when I see them

Also Kyros just off topic, why say no to Nissan? Doesn't Renault part own Nissan?

[KyrosV]

Why thank you. They should hire me. I know circuit layouts when I see them

Also Kyros just off topic, why say no to Nissan? Doesn't Renault part own Nissan?

yeah I said this in another thread, I dont want Renault to leave and become Nissan F1

..So im protesting...is it working? are you thinking NO to Nissan too?

I bet the Irish will back me, they love a good NO vote...

[McLaren Fan]

Losing the run down to Redgate is a little disappointing, but if the Esses are still left intact, that would also be a pretty good run down from the start of the race on cold tyres. After that, there could be more incidents at Melbourne as well. Coppice would not make a bad final corner as well. Overall, the plans look good and the circuit should be challenging and exciting.

[EwanM]

Losing the run down to Redgate is a little disappointing, but if the Esses are still left intact, that would also be a pretty good run down from the start of the race on cold tyres. After that, there could be more incidents at Melbourne as well. Coppice would not make a bad final corner as well. Overall, the plans look good and the circuit should be challenging and exciting.

I was very surprised to open my Autosport tonight and find that my drawing is near 100% bang on to what their impression is. Maybe I am the new Tilke.

Anyways I dont wanna disappoint you man, but the magazine goes into alot more detail about the proposals.
Namely the pit complex is going to move to the infield not across from the exisiting pits, but instead down by the Dunlop brige at Coppice.
Also The esses may go to make the start finish straight longer.
GRRRRR!

Donnington are going to move the museum away from its existing site and to another area of the circuit. Grandstands will also be built as will a brand new hotel. The Enterance road will be improved, but Donnington has also acquired new land around the area. They are going to install a wide reaching park and ride system. Also many new campsites will be created and opened around the circuit. Just like Silverstone.

Furthermore, The track won't be widened as it already as wide as most tracks around the world.

[Jabberwocky]

I had a thought today whilst the Hamilton show on ITV, itwas going on about the european GP being held at valencia because of Alonso, and before that it was in where Schumy wanted it, perhaps the Donnington and Silverstone will have a GP in 2010, British and European, because I am sure Lewis will of won at least one championship by then

[8-ball]

I had a thought today whilst the Hamilton show on ITV, itwas going on about the european GP being held at valencia because of Alonso, and before that it was in where Schumy wanted it, perhaps the Donnington and Silverstone will have a GP in 2010, British and European, because I am sure Lewis will of won at least one championship by then

That logic only applies when tracks are willing to cough up the cash. I can't see how Silverstone will get investment now that F1 is leaving regardless of the fact that Lewis may win multiple world titles

[Jabberwocky]

I am still sceptical that the 2010 GP will be at Donnington, just not sure it will happen

[f1s best fan]

if it moves i'll be dissapointed i mean i live like 15 mins away from the track now i go every year

[Toddi]

Donington's not a bad circuit, but nothing beats Silverstone, IMO. Even when they altered the layout is was still amazing.

Let's hope they make Doningtion just as amazing. Considering it's current layout, it may take a miracle.

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

End of year decision for Donington Park

By Jonathan Noble Friday, October 3rd 2008, 15:54 GMT

Donington Park's local district council are hopeful that a decision on whether to grant planning permission for circuit redevelopments at the future home of the British Grand Prix will be made by the end of this year.

The planning application has been declared 'valid', and now the local district council want an environmental impact assessment to judge how the track, pits and paddock developments will affect air quality and noise levels in the area.

John Bridges, a cabinet member of North West Leicestershire District Council, told the Press Association: "The prospect of Formula One at Donington Park is something really exciting for the district as a whole. We will though be making sure that the environmental impact of proposed development at the site is properly considered.

"Ever since the announcement of Donington Park as hosts for the British Grand Prix from 2010 we have been working closely with the track owners and their planning consultants to make sure we receive the information needed for the planning application as early as possible.

"I am confident that if we continue working together we will still be able to make a planning decision on the proposals by the end of the year."

The red-tape is taking along to time to cut through. After all of this they still won't have broken ground at all!