RE: New Silverstone Pit Complex Officially Open

RE: New Silverstone Pit Complex Officially Open

Tuesday 17th May 2011

New Silverstone Pit Complex Officially Open

£27m facility is ready for the Brit GP this July - and even Bernie's happy



Silverstone officially opens its new pit and paddock complex today (even if it's not quite ready - see photo), just under two months before the British GP, and with a host of star drivers in attendance, including British world champions Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell.

It’s been a tough few years for Silverstone but, after a difficult few years during which the circuit came under constant criticism from F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone for the poor state of its facilities and when the GP oh-so-nearly moved to Donington Park, the Northamptonshire circuit is finally officially back in F1’s good books.


“Thank God I persisted because now we’ll have a super circuit,” Ecclestone told the Telegraph. “One that when people say ‘We are building a circuit; can we come and have a look at Silverstone?’ I can happily say, ‘Yes, build it like this’. Whereas before it was the last place I would encourage them to see.”

The rejuvenation of the circuit, which is owned by the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club), began last year with the new Arena section of track and is completed by the new 41-garage building, designed by the same architects responsible for the 2012 Olympic stadium.


Speaking on Radio 4’s today programme about the £27m new facilities, BRDC president Damon Hill said: "This year's Grand Prix and all the major international events will take place using the new facility. Silverstone has got a right to a permanent place on the calendar and so we hope this is a long-term thing that will make the circuit smart."

 

Author
Discussion

Mafioso

Original Poster:

2,349 posts

213 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Looks good. Any real-life photos?

STiG911

1,210 posts

166 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Got my British GP tickets ordered after returning from Spa last year - can't wait to see this up close!

durbster

10,189 posts

221 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
I drove past this last year and it was impressive even then. It does make it look a bit like an airport rather than a motorsport venue, but I suppose you could say that about Tilke's creations too.

I have always quite enjoyed the low-budget feel of Silverstone because it reminds you of all that it's evolved from. That said, the ticket price certainly isn't low budget smile

If this is what's needed to retain a British Grand Prix than it's more than welcome to me, and I'm just bloody glad Mr. Tilke hasn't been invited to the party at any stage.

Steve-B

702 posts

281 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Does he also claim credit for financially hanging out to dry the groups investing in Donnington's rebuild that he abruptly pulled the plug on?

Or plenty of other circuits in the news time after time he's threatened where huge sums are expended for his company profit?

Sad this is the only F-1 news you could come up with - a shame you didn't fairly show all the years / torrent of abuse/criticism he's levelled at Sir JYS, Damon Hill and others on Silverstone.

But that wouldn't have made the news would it?

louiebaby

10,651 posts

190 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
I was at Silverstone on Sunday for a driving experience Christmas present, and it looks impressive. They seem to be working pretty hard to get the last bits and bobs of landscaping done to get it all ready, as it's not quite there yet.

An impressive looking building though, that's for sure.

Riggers

1,859 posts

177 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Steve-B said:
Does he also claim credit for financially hanging out to dry the groups investing in Donnington's rebuild that he abruptly pulled the plug on?

Or plenty of other circuits in the news time after time he's threatened where huge sums are expended for his company profit?

Sad this is the only F-1 news you could come up with - a shame you didn't fairly show all the years / torrent of abuse/criticism he's levelled at Sir JYS, Damon Hill and others on Silverstone.

But that wouldn't have made the news would it?
I'm no Bernie fan, but I don't think he's exactly claiming credit for it...

Anyways, this is supposed to be a good news story for Silverstone and the BRDC - both of which, might I remind you, appear to have survived years of bashing from Bernie smile.

Steve-B

702 posts

281 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Guys, I'm NOT dissing Silverstone, I mostly like the circuit, next to Brands Full, Anglesea and Cadwell.

Take a read of coverage in the UK papers today and he's certainly soapboxmaking it about him, his inspiration, his actions.vomit

No where does it mention his threats, his bullying tactics, his strongarming, etc.

I HATE credit-claimers, and Bernie's stealing from something's goodness by making it about HIM.

That's categorically NOT on and complete B.S. getmecoat


Edited by Steve-B on Tuesday 17th May 12:51

tr7v8

7,180 posts

227 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
It is still a dreary circuit & this won't make a blind bit of difference. Last meeting I went there to I left at around 12:30 as I'd seen all I wanted to. No sight lines to speak of, so difficult photography. Still rubbish access.

ukaskew

10,642 posts

220 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Real pics would be nice, as presumably if it's been officially opened it's finished?!

I'm not so sure on the photography comment above, a proper International Spec circuit is always going to be a bit more challenging than, say, Castle Combe. Run-off and catch fencing will always work against you. That said, it's fun trying and with a bit of creativity you can get stunning results. A huge canvas is positioned proudly on my study wall that I took at the 2009 GP, you wouldn't know it was taken from a public position.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
Cycled past the new complex a couple of weeks back, and it looks petty impressive!

Does anyone know if it is meant to look like an F1 car?? (because it sort of does in profile ;-)

robinessex

11,038 posts

180 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
I suppose there's no chance of the GP going back to Brands Hatch, is There?

Riggers

1,859 posts

177 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
ukaskew said:
Real pics would be nice, as presumably if it's been officially opened it's finished?!
They would indeed! smile Unfortunately we haven't got any PH staff up there and so are relying on publicity photos.... or kind PHers who might be in the vicinity... anyone???

Joking apart, we will get your actual genuine photos up as soon as we can get hold of some, so stay tuned etc etc...

AdeV

621 posts

283 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
the article said:
BRDC president Damon Hil (who?) said: "... Silverstone has got a right to a permanent place on the calendar ..."
Eh? Sorry Damon, but that's bks. Silverstone has no more right than Belgium, Portugal or anywhere else to a permanant place on the calendar. What about Brands Hatch, Oulton park and Aintree - all of which have hosted F1 rounds in the past, not to mention poor old Donington Park?

Edited to remove misattribution

Edited by AdeV on Tuesday 17th May 13:01


Edited by AdeV on Tuesday 17th May 13:02

fatboy69

9,369 posts

186 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
I hope not. Silverstone is the British GP's spiritual home &, sadly, Brands doesnt deserve to get it back.

IMO.

robinessex

11,038 posts

180 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
fatboy69 said:
I hope not. Silverstone is the British GP's spiritual home &, sadly, Brands doesnt deserve to get it back.

IMO.
WHY ?

AdeV

621 posts

283 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
robinessex said:
fatboy69 said:
I hope not. Silverstone is the British GP's spiritual home &, sadly, Brands doesnt deserve to get it back.

IMO.
WHY ?
Not sure about not deserving it; but given the raft of changes that would be required, I'd prefer it not to go anywhere but Silverstone. Any other UK circuit would be ruined by the required "upgrades". Except maybe Croft, I wouldn't mind seeing that one dug up & replaced with something better...

Portimao in Portugal is proof that new F1-grade circuits CAN be built, and CAN be great.... if only F1 would go there...

Steve-B

702 posts

281 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
So how do you justify that -- a legend of a track in your own mind? It certainly has had a pretty equal foot with Brands according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Grand_Prix Wikipedia:

"Silverstone has hosted the race regularly since the start of the F1 championship in 1950 (in which it was the first race of the first ever official World Championship) and every year since 1987; it alternated with Brands Hatch between 1964 and 1986, and with Aintree (better known as a horse-racing course) between 1955 and 1962."

So I don't understand your comments. There's clearly at least 2 homes.

fatboy69 said:
I hope not. Silverstone is the British GP's spiritual home &, sadly, Brands doesnt deserve to get it back.

IMO.

tr7v8

7,180 posts

227 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
fatboy69 said:
I hope not. Silverstone is the British GP's spiritual home &, sadly, Brands doesnt deserve to get it back.

IMO.
Very wrong!

Goodfella 555

199 posts

167 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
robinessex said:
I suppose there's no chance of the GP going back to Brands Hatch, is There?
Brands is by far my favorite circuit in the UK it is a massive shame we no longer have F1 there.

Its 'strange' (the politest word i can think of) how Bernie has so much cash yet Silverstone struggles to break even on an F1 weekend, tickets aren't exactly cheap...

Regardless of all the politics it is a relief that there is going to be an F1 race in Britain for the foreseeable future, it would have been embarrassing on a world-wide scale.

[AJ]

3,079 posts

197 months

Tuesday 17th May 2011
quotequote all
tr7v8 said:
It is still a dreary circuit & this won't make a blind bit of difference. Last meeting I went there to I left at around 12:30 as I'd seen all I wanted to. No sight lines to speak of, so difficult photography. Still rubbish access.
Put your camera down and get your car on there, it's far from dreary!

Max_Torque said:
Cycled past the new complex a couple of weeks back, and it looks petty impressive!

Does anyone know if it is meant to look like an F1 car?? (because it sort of does in profile ;-)
Yep. I think it does a good job of doing that without looking daft too.