BRDC accelerates Silverstone 'master plan'.

The British Racing Drivers' Club has taken its next step in the battle to keep the British Grand Prix, not only at Silverstone, but on the Formula One calendar as a whole.

With the sport's commercial guru, Bernie Ecclestone, still not guaranteeing the UK a spot on the schedule beyond 2009 - and even hinting that it should share a date with France before that - and Donington Park promising a dramatic overhaul under new owners, the BRDC staged a presentation to outline its latest proposals for the Silverstone 'Master Plan', which it hopes will be sufficiently successful at releasing value from the estate to secure the event, financially, in the long-term.

While the club is determined to take the plan through the planning process using its own resources if necessary, it remains hopeful of attracting government support - if only for the development of infrastructure at Silverstone - and sports minister Richard Caborn was among the audience as BRDC president Damon Hill laid out the vision of the circuit's future.

"Our objective is to continue with development and improvements to keep up with the incredible pace, not only of grand prix racing, but of development generally in the automotive business," Hill explained, "I don't think you can underestimate the effect the grand prix has on the environment and the industries, employment and also on the country. We very much hope that, after today, we can move forward to make Silverstone a place we can be really proud of in this country, not just for the BRDC, but also for the UK to beam motorsport and our event around the world.

Formulated by Spencer Canning and a property advisory committee made up of BRDC members, the Master Plan this time has the full backing of the club and centres on developing the Silverstone estate to provide viable off-track functions that could, in future, support the retention of the grand prix.

In addition to developing and improving circuit facilities - with the new grandstands, pit and paddock facilities which Ecclestone is demanding as a first step towards F1 remaining at Silverstone - the Master Plan is also aimed at the venue retaining its position at the heart of the UK's 'motorsport valley'. With the long-term objective of expanding its off-track facilities with a relevance to motorsport, the vision includes a science park, manufacturer test centre and a hotel and conference centre, in addition to a small amount of residential development. Plans have already been submitted for Porsche Cars GB to develop a 'driver training facility' at the east of the circuit, while the Silverstone Study Centre, jointly funded by Silverstone Circuits Limited, Northamptonshire County Council and the Department for Education and Skills, has been operating since September 2006.

To date, informal meetings have already taken place with Aylesbury Vale District Council and South Northants District Council, who govern the land on which Silverstone Circuit is based, and the purpose of the presentation earlier this week was to speed up the process of moving the Master Plan from initial concept through to its early adoption.

"Seventy per cent of our business activity is directly attributable to events, of which 85 per cent is grand prix related," circuit MD Richard Phillips commented, "To change this balance, we have to develop the estate and allow a wider diversification of business types to come to Silverstone.

"Beyond the development, however, it is very necessary for the core business to be allowed to grow and flourish. We must diversify our activities, raise our game with state-of-the-art facilities, excite new audiences to our venue and build a sustainable business in order to minimise the risks associated with the cost of grand prix racing. Only then will we able to afford it, and will UK PLCs benefit.

"Silverstone sits at the heart of motorsport valley, which is made up of over 2,400 businesses and employs the highest concentration of engineering excellence in the world. Maintenance of grand prix racing at Silverstone is an essential ingredient in the growth of motorsport valley.

"Governments around the world are recognising the importance of motorsport in their economic mix and we need to create the right environment to develop a centre of excellence that encompasses education, research and development, manufacturing and design and lateral integration with other high tech industries, such as the automotive and aerospace industries. If we can achieve these targets, we will secure our position at the top of this high tech sector, and offer sustainable growth for the entire region."

The presentation - which was also addressed at heads of local county and district councils, planners, higher education authorities and regional development agencies - also gave Caborn the chance to contribute his views on the future developments, the sports minister speaking enthusiastically about Silverstone providing future opportunities for education, skilled jobs and tourism.

"Silverstone is a world leader in many ways and should not be underestimated," he admitted, "The Master Plan really builds on the Silverstone brand and shows a great deal of potential. It outlines the beginnings of a major centre of excellence that will rank up there with any in the world, helping to ensure the supply chain to this sector is maintained for years to come.

"The Master Plan is not only important to Silverstone and its continued hosting of the British Grand Prix, but also the development of the sport in this country. It gives a real opportunity to British motorsport to realise its ambitions in the not too distant future."