Silvestone unveils new Arena circuit development

Britain’s best known race track has just launched an ambitious series of new revisions aimed at bringing the facility up International standards, and opinion is already mixed.

The new track layout, called the “Arena” circuit, reconfigures the existing grand prix circuit with a host of new turns. The Arena layout bypasses the old Bridge complex and instead favours an entire new infield section that lengthens the track by a massive 760 meters of tarmac. The focus of the changes are to simultaneously improve the spectacle for fans and increase the difficulty level for drivers. An interesting possible result of the four million-euro, five-month renovation project could see Silverstone replace Monza as the quickest track on the F1 calendar.

Already a handful of race series have lapped the new track, including the new FIA GT1 World Championship which held its second round there last weekend. Damon Hill, the former world champion who now heads the British Racing Drivers Club that owns Silverstone, insists that the revisions are vital to secure the future of the British Grand Prix.

In an upcoming phase to the project a new pit-lane complex is planned for next year, after which the start-finish line will switch alongside it to the other side of the track.

Peter Revson after winning the 1973 British Grand Prix

Peter Revson sings the praises of his McLaren after winning the 1973 British GP at Silverstone

History of the Grand Prix car (1945-1965) – part 2

The beginning of BRM. Racing at Silverstone and more

History of the Grand Prix car (1945-1965) – part 1

An in depth look at the mechanical development of the Grand Prix car 1945 – 1965

History of Motor Racing – part 15

The mortality rate in 1940s motor racing is high, but that doesn’t stop drivers in the 24-hour endurance race at Le Mans, the Indy 500, or the 1000-mile Mille Miglia

History of Motor Racing – part 14

Silverstone wide aerodrome tarmac has a circuit mapped out with hay bales. Britain’s first grand prix in many years is an overwhelming success

Automobiles Historiques announce new race series

Following their highly successful ‘GT & Sports Car Cup’ race series now in its third season, Flavien and Vanessa Marçais announce a new race series to complement GTSCC, for genuine Pre-74 Italian Sports, Sports-Prototype and GT cars of a type that were raced in the World Endurance Championship and in International Competition in period.

The ‘Italian Historic Car Cup’ has been created following the demand of many international competitors and teams running the most stunning Italian historic machinery and will include four rounds of competition in 2010 at prime tracks and events across Europe: Silverstone and Monza (during the Coppa Intereuropa on 5 & 6 June) are already confirmed, as well as a further two rounds in France to be announced shortly.

The ‘Italian Historic Car Cup’ will give an opportunity for the most prestigious cars manufactured prior to 1974 by constructors such as Abarth, Alfa Ro

Sixty years of Bentley racing

On the 8-9th August 2009 the Bentley Drivers Club are to hold their first ever two-day race meeting to celebrate the marques 60th continuous year of racing at Silverstone, U.K.

Spectators will be treated to some rare attractions, which include track demonstrations of the famous 1933 Napier-Railton, John Cobb’s 24-litre aero-engined car, the all time lap record holder at Brooklands. Other highlights expected to send shivers down any red-blooded classic racing fan include a Bentley handicap race where the old takes on the new, where else can you see an 80-year-old Bentley 3 Litre in flat-out competition against a relatively ‘modern’ Turbo R? There will also be a track demonstration of the awesome 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley Speed 8 as well as off track displays of Bentley race cars including past Le Mans winners, Brooklands cars, and Bentleys that have raced at BDC events throughout the past 60 years and even the first-ever, official Le Mans works Bentley, the 1925 3 Litre which ran as car no. 10.