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Preparations underway for possibly last British GP in Silverstone
Silverstone, July 17: Silverstone circuit in central England is being readied for this weekend`s British Grand Prix which is expected to attract around 100,000 spectators.
Silverstone, July 17: Silverstone circuit in central England is being readied for this weekend's British Grand Prix which is expected to attract around 100,000 spectators.
The BMW-Williams F1Team will come to Silverstone riding on a high after scoring maximum points at the European and French Grands Prix. The team is only three points behind Ferrari with 100 points in the Constructors championship.
At Silverstone contractors were preparing trade stands and advertising hoardings on Wednesday (July 16), the day before the Formula One circus arrives.
The circuit has been regularly slated by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who last month branded it an embarrassment and the year before as a country fair masquerading as a world event.
FIA President Mosley told reporters last week that Silverstone was 'fairly well down the list of circuits worldwide and probably at the bottom of the list in Europe'.
But Andrew Waller, Managing Director of Brands Hatch Circuits Ltd which manages the Grand Prix, spoke up for the improvements that spectators will see at the track this year.
"I think spectators coming to a Grand Prix expect a good standard of facility, and when I say that it reflects what we have been investing in in the last year. We are two-thirds through a 40 million pound (sterling) investment programme and this year is focussed entirely on improving the experience for the spectator. Hundreds more signs, new amenity zones, new toilets, refurbished areas, lots of landscaping to separate cars from pedestrians. The traffic management, the historic problem with Silverstone, we partly resolved last year and we have refined this year, traffic is no longer a problem in terms of access and departure and I think we have got those things right," he said.
Already some spectators have arrived to camp until the race is over. One was a visitor from Germany, Martin Gros from Borken. He thought the campsite near the circuit was scenic but lacked facilities like a fixed electricity supply, piped water and permanent shower blocks.
But stalwart champions of Silverstone were also camping in advance of the race. Mick and Mel Hemingway, Tonia Jefferies and John Amery were among those whose tents had a "Save Our Silverstone" sign above it.
John Amery said that Silverstone was unfairly criticised by officialdom while the track facilities were being constantly improved.
Amery referred to an incident last year when Bernie Ecclestone was unable to land his helicopter in the circuit and had to be driven from a helipad a distance away. Afterwards he complained that signs around the track were inadequate.
"At the end of the day if Bernie got lost last year coming into the track, he needs to buy a map", Amery said.
Bureau Report
But Andrew Waller, Managing Director of Brands Hatch Circuits Ltd which manages the Grand Prix, spoke up for the improvements that spectators will see at the track this year.
"I think spectators coming to a Grand Prix expect a good standard of facility, and when I say that it reflects what we have been investing in in the last year. We are two-thirds through a 40 million pound (sterling) investment programme and this year is focussed entirely on improving the experience for the spectator. Hundreds more signs, new amenity zones, new toilets, refurbished areas, lots of landscaping to separate cars from pedestrians. The traffic management, the historic problem with Silverstone, we partly resolved last year and we have refined this year, traffic is no longer a problem in terms of access and departure and I think we have got those things right," he said.
Already some spectators have arrived to camp until the race is over. One was a visitor from Germany, Martin Gros from Borken. He thought the campsite near the circuit was scenic but lacked facilities like a fixed electricity supply, piped water and permanent shower blocks.
But stalwart champions of Silverstone were also camping in advance of the race. Mick and Mel Hemingway, Tonia Jefferies and John Amery were among those whose tents had a "Save Our Silverstone" sign above it.
John Amery said that Silverstone was unfairly criticised by officialdom while the track facilities were being constantly improved.
Amery referred to an incident last year when Bernie Ecclestone was unable to land his helicopter in the circuit and had to be driven from a helipad a distance away. Afterwards he complained that signs around the track were inadequate.
"At the end of the day if Bernie got lost last year coming into the track, he needs to buy a map", Amery said.
Bureau Report