Milton Keynes Supports Campaign to Keep 2010 Grand Prix at Silverstone (Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats)

Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats <info@mk-libdems.co.uk>

Milton Keynes Supports Campaign to Keep 2010 Grand Prix at Silverstone

November 8, 2009 9:15 PM

Milton Keynes Council is joining forces with councils in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire to campaign to keep the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

This move follows the announcement that Donington Park was still not in a position to stage the race that had previously been held at Silverstone since 1987. The head of Formula One, Bernie Ecclestone, had awarded the right to stage the British Grand Prix to the Derbyshire-based track for 17 years in a shock deal.

But bosses at Donington Ventures Leisure Limited have revealed that attempts to raise a bond to cover the cost of the £135 million Formula One redevelopment at Donington had been unsuccessful.

This has renewed hopes that the Silverstone circuit, owned by the British Racing Drivers' Club, may be able to win a new contract to stage the race. Business leaders in Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire welcomed the opportunity to step into gap caused by the rival circuit's funding problems as the Grand Prix is estimated to generate more than £40 million for the local economy.

The Leader of Milton Keynes Council, Liberal Democrat councillor Sam Crooks, said: "The Silverstone circuit deserves special status alongside other legendary European circuits. Its economic benefit for Milton Keynes and the region are well established and are worth fighting hard for."