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Jackie Stewart promises the best Grand Prix with British GP
Silverstone, July 09: Veteran Formula one champion Jackie Stewart has reassured the British Grand Prix will provide motor racing fans plenty of entertainment on and off the track.
Silverstone, July 09: Veteran Formula one champion Jackie Stewart has reassured the British Grand Prix will provide motor racing fans plenty of entertainment on and off the track.
A total of around 66 million dollars have been spent to upgrade facilities and the infra-structure ahead of the British formula one Grand Prix to be held on Sunday July 20.
Jackie Stewart, head of the British Racing drivers club, shared the cost of the improvements with Bernie Ecclestone's FOM (Formula One Management) but at last weekend's French Grand Prix, the motor racing supremo had criticised the way the money has been used.
The 64 year-old Stewart said: "The 2003 British Grand Prix will be the best Grand Prix we ever had... The facilites are better than we ever had. The car parks are easy to get in to and easy to get out.."
In the past, the British GP has been criticised by tales of spectators who were unable to park their cars because of the mud caused by the notorious English weather but Ecclestone thinks the priority should have been given to upgrade areas of the circuit and the paddock.
Andrew Waller, Silverstone's managing director, explained that improving the access to the circuit was more urgent and pointed out other progress made to provide more comfort for spectators.
"We now have 'super loos' as we call them... We built like nine major 'super loo' blocks and refurbished every other toilet facility on the side," he said.
Stewart, a winner at Silverstone during a career which led him to three world championships in 1969, 1971 and 1973, said that in a next phase, Silverstone will have new run off areas, pit complex and press centre. "To compete with the rest of the world that's what we have to do," he said.
Waller reassured that the 100,000 fans expected during the three days, including Friday and Saturday's practices, will be protected by a sophisticated security system while Stewart added there will be plenty of entertainment when the engines go silent after the race.
"It's a full two and a half day job to go to Silverstone and see everything that you want to see, from Grand Prix cars to historic sports cars to the posh type of cars, a lot of racing to be seen but then great entertainment. We got Status Quo, one of the greatest bands in the history of music and we got a second band that Damon Hill leads and another one that Eddie Jordan leads -- and they are going to be playing after the Grand Prix, as well as Status Quo," he promised.
Bureau Report
Andrew Waller, Silverstone's managing director, explained that improving the access to the circuit was more urgent and pointed out other progress made to provide more comfort for spectators.
"We now have 'super loos' as we call them... We built like nine major 'super loo' blocks and refurbished every other toilet facility on the side," he said.
Stewart, a winner at Silverstone during a career which led him to three world championships in 1969, 1971 and 1973, said that in a next phase, Silverstone will have new run off areas, pit complex and press centre. "To compete with the rest of the world that's what we have to do," he said.
Waller reassured that the 100,000 fans expected during the three days, including Friday and Saturday's practices, will be protected by a sophisticated security system while Stewart added there will be plenty of entertainment when the engines go silent after the race.
"It's a full two and a half day job to go to Silverstone and see everything that you want to see, from Grand Prix cars to historic sports cars to the posh type of cars, a lot of racing to be seen but then great entertainment. We got Status Quo, one of the greatest bands in the history of music and we got a second band that Damon Hill leads and another one that Eddie Jordan leads -- and they are going to be playing after the Grand Prix, as well as Status Quo," he promised.
Bureau Report