Octagon aim to improve Silverstone

Octagon Motorsports is set to spend £4million on the Silverstone circuit, aiming to improve facilities for teams and fans alike for the British Grand Prix. Most of the improvements are already under way and should be completed by the July 20th date of the race.

Based on safety recommendations from the FIA, Woodcote corner will be altered and the gravel trap at Stowe will be converted to tarmac. Marshals posts, gravel traps and armco fencing are also to be updated to provide more safety features.

Access to the circuit and internal road systems are to be improved, as are disabled facilities, fencing and upgrading of existing spectator amenities. A police and control centre is currently being built and will also act as a traffic management facility.

The traffic problems at Silverstone have long been a source of complaint and work began last year on a brand new road system to ease congestion on the GP weekend. [*]

"We want to provide safe, first class facilities for all users of our circuits," said Michael Browning, Managing Director of Octagon Motorsports UK. "The fans are very important to us and we are confident that these developments to our facilities will ensure the British Grand Prix is an outstanding success."

Octagon has also confirmed prices for the Grand Prix will be reduced by about 12.5% on Friday and Saturday for general admission and grandstand tickets. Charges for children have been abolished and single day tickets will be re-introduced.

"We want to offer our customers the best value for the biggest event in the motorsports calendar," said Andrew Waller, Group Sales and Marketing Director, Octagon Motorsports UK. "The new pricing ensures that they will get to see the best action over the three days."

[*]Editor's note -- the new road system seemed fairly effective last year, even though not complete at the time.