£7.5 million for UK Circuits

Octagon to tidy up their tracks with huge spending spree

By PH Staff / Tuesday, 18 February 2003 / Loading comments

A much needed injection of cash will be seen this year for some of the UK's circuits.

Octagon Motorsports will be spending £7.5 million on a series of construction projects at Silverstone, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Brands Hatch.

Silverstone

Silverstone will see extensive development and will receive the lion's share of the investment with £4 million being spent on replacement of the debris fencing, refurbished spectator facilities such as the toilet blocks and improvements to the public areas and signage. Safety recommendations from the FIM and FIA have dictated a new loop will be added to the Woodcote corner and a number of the marshals posts will be improved. The run off at Stowe corner will be converted from gravel to tarmac.

Brands Hatch

£1.7 million will be spent at Brands Hatch upgrading team and spectator facilities across the circuit with refurbished hospitality suites, repairs to the internal road system, new debris fencing, improved paddock services and a new toilet block. Also, following the announcement that Brands Hatch will host a European Champ Car round, there are a number of upgrades being made to the Indy circuit and realignment of the GP circuit at Dingle Dell to create larger run-off areas.

Oulton Park

Oulton Park has embarked on extensive changes totalling £1.9 million. The construction work will include a new pit complex providing much improved facilities for teams, race officials and media. In addition, work is being undertaken on the circuit to reduce speeds into the Knickerbrook chicane as part of continued safety developments.

Snetterton & Cadwell Park

Both Snetterton and Cadwell Park will benefit from a combined investment of £325,000. The circuits will have improved spectator facilities, re-surfacing of internal roads and a new access road will be completed at Snetterton to coincide with the opening of the new A11 dual carriageway.

Michael Browning, Managing Director of Octagon Motorsports UK, commented: "

We have undertaken this investment in 2003 to ensure that we can provide the best possible facilities at our circuits and meet the highest possible standards in terms of safety and comfort for teams and spectators

”.