JULY 15, 2001

Clarke doubts money for Silverstone

KENNETH CLARKE, the chairman of British American Racing and a candidate in the leadership battle for the British Conservative Party, says that he does not expect the British government to come up with any money for the rebuilding of the Silverstone racing circuit.

KENNETH CLARKE, the chairman of British American Racing and a candidate in the leadership battle for the British Conservative Party, says that he does not expect the British government to come up with any money for the rebuilding of the Silverstone racing circuit.

The track owners, the British Racing Drivers' Club, has formed a partnership with Bernie Ecclestone and with Octagon Motorsport to develop the track but would like to have $45m in government funding to finish the job properly. They argue that the $7.5bn British motorsport industry should receive some help to ensure that the country keeps a Grand Prix.

But Clarke says that it is not very likely. "Governments are mean," he said. "I don't think they are going to help out."