APRIL 3, 2003

Princess Royal backs Silverstone plans

The Princess Royal (aka Princess Anne) visited Silverstone this week to help the circuit highlight its role in the British motorsport industry and to celebrate the BRDC's 75th anniversary.

Sir Jackie Stewart, President of the BRDC, said that the club is very proud of the work that has been done at the facility and confirmed that by 2004 the new pit and paddock complex will be finished and that by then $60m will have been invested in roads, car parks, spectator facilities and other amenities.

Stewart said that the club was "progressing well" with its discussions with the British government about public funding for the future and said that Britain must retain its Grand Prix and its World Championship Rally. Stewart said that the British GP creates income for the area in the region of $45m each year and said that "none of us want to see that disappear".

The BRDC is working to create future F1 champions by backing kart racers, some of whom were on hand to meet the Princess. Stewart said that the club is "trying hard to have government support to create a first class karting facility which could host a World Championship or European Championship at Silverstone" and indicated that the BRDC hopes to win funding for the creation of a Drivers' Academy.