Press release this morning…
20 January 2011
Refurbishment Work Starts At Donington Park
Donington Park�s much-loved Redgate Lodge has been painstakingly dismantled to enhance safety for the action-packed 2011 season that starts with the World Superbikes in March.
The removal of Redgate Lodge, after which Redgate Corner was named, forms part of a three year multi-million pound investment programme to upgrade the safety and public facilities.
Phase one is focused purely on safety and has seen the introduction of improvements agreed with the FIA and FIM, the motorsport governing bodies.
By removing the Lodge and adjacent pub, Donington Park Racing has increased the size of the safety run-off areas and greatly enhanced the public viewing area � essential for high-octane sports such as the World Superbikes.
Kevin said: �We received mixed reactions from the public concerning the removal of Redgate Lodge, but I can assure everyone that the building was carefully dismantled and stored and I personally would very much like to see it resurrected somewhere else on site.
�Over the years, I�ve seen leaseholders tear down old buildings such as the 1930s timekeeper�s huts and each time, it felt like a piece of Donington�s history had disappeared. However, safety must come first, so it was apparent that Redgate couldn�t stay in its original location.�
Other safety improvements undertaken include increasing the run-off at the Old Hairpin, enhancing safety and improving drainage at the old Foggy Esses and bringing safety protection up to the latest FIA and FIM specifications. A programme to replace the debris fence around the circuit has also commenced.
Phase two will move towards the long-term goal of further improving spectator and competitor experience.
Over the next few weeks, work will start to improve spectator facilities ready for the World Superbikes in March, including erection of grandstands in prime viewing areas.
However, due to the sheer scale of the task, reopening the infield to spectators will be a much longer project, taking up to two seasons to fully complete. With this in mind, work will be undertaken on a sectional basis with each section opening to the public upon completion.
The board�s focus will then turn to upgrading existing amenities. Plans are being drawn up for the phased refurbishment and remodelling of Donington�s expansive corporate facilities. And work is being undertaken to identify what additional facilities are needed as well as exploring the viability of new commercial enterprises.
�This is a hugely exciting time for Donington,� said Kevin. �Timescales, which were already extremely tight to meet the March deadline, were shortened by the snow and ice, but everyone here has worked extremely hard to get the development back on track and I�m confident everything will be ready in time.
�It�s fair to say that facilities deteriorated considerably under the last two leaseholders, but we are prepared to make the investment necessary to return Donington to its former glory.
�This investment will be the key to ensuring that Donington continues to be a success. We need to combine a passion for racing with the need for it to be a profitable venture. We have the racing in place so now it�s time to work hard to upgrade the circuit and its facilities so that people will continue to want to come here for a great day out.�
ENDS
Should not affect the actual race track I guess.
