Silverstone rebuilds current pits

Silverstone circuit, the home of the British Grand Prix, has scrapped plans for a new pits complex. The intention was to build all new pits for Formula One teams on the straight after Club corner, but this idea has now been abandoned in favour of redeveloping the current pitlane.

Octagon Motorsport intends to demolish the current pits, situated between Woodcote and Copse corners ( the start/finish straight ) and rebuild them on the same site. The grandstands on the same stretch of track will also be improved.

Octagon boss Rob Bain said: "When the plans were announced we felt they were a bit too focused on the Formula 1 teams and in the last five months we have put the focus back on the spectators. If the funding is available from the government then the rest of the announced changes will be done as planned."

The work is the second phase of Octagon's outlines to develop the circuit to ensure it stays on the F1 calendar. After the doubt cast over the Grand Prix for 2002, the organisers pledged to improve the access to the track and the event is now on schedule. The decision to give the go-ahead confirmed the views of a report by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) which stated that Octagon had fulfilled the expectations of a Grand Prix organiser following the 2000 FIA Warsaw commitments; there were noticeable improvements in the traffic flow in 2001 and the plans for 2002 were more than adequate.

Rob Bain commented:“ We are obviously delighted with the result which endorses the MSA’s positive report on their findings during our inaugural 2001 event. The FIA are in total support of our revised 2002 plans, in addressing traffic and access at Silverstone. We will continue to work closely with all parties to guarantee the success of the Foster’s British Grand Prix in 2002, ensuring it becomes a world leader in its field by 2003. I would like to take this opportunity to especially thank both the local and national government, in particular, the support of Richard Caborn, Minister of Sport, who played an important role in securing this event for the country.”