04/07/2008 - FOM Announce Donington to host British Grand Prix beyond 2010

FOM announcement of Donington to host British Grand Prix beyond 2010

Issued jointly by Northamptonshire County Council and Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited (NEL)

“We are tremendously disappointed with today’s announcement.  We have always held great pride in being host to one of the world’s premiere and best attended sporting events, not least because of the millions it generates for the local economy from visitors, the strong local motorsport industry that is closely associated with the circuit and the profile that it gives the county to a worldwide TV audience” stated Cllr Andre Gonzalez de Savage, (Cabinet Member for Commercial Operations and Asset Management), Northamptonshire County Council and NEL Board Member.

Northamptonshire Enterprise and Northamptonshire County Council have been working closely with BRDC and partners to ensure that the necessary improvements to the Silverstone circuit are put in place to secure the Grand Prix beyond 2009.

Paul Southworth, Chairman, Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd commented “As will be seen this weekend, Silverstone is already able to play host to well over 200,000 visitors, and we supported the plans in place to build on it.

“We believe it remains uniquely placed to facilitate FOM’s exacting standards in terms of capacity, infrastructure and facilities.

“We will continue to work together with BRDC to ensure that Silverstone continues to be developed as a prestige racing circuit capable of hosting F1 events in the future, and that the county remains the focal point for the UK motorsport industry.”

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For further Press information contact:

Jenna Oxley, Account Executive, Kinross + Render jo@kinrossrender.com
Tel: 020 7592 3100

Northamptonshire is the home to 450 engineering companies and two Formula 1 teams based here, as well as major engine manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz High Performance Engines, Ilmor engineering, Cosworth, Mahle Powertrain and Mugen Euro. This sector employs over 6000 people and is worth £600million to the local economy.   A1 GP series based at Silverstone.  The county is also home to 3 leading circuits – Silverstone, Rockingham and Santa Pod – covering many different aspects of motorsport. The A1 GP series is also based at Silverstone.

For further information on Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited please see www.northamptonshireenterprise.ltd.uk
For further information on Northamptonshire County Council please see
www.northamptonshire.gov.uk