The home of the British Motorcycle Grand Prix will have a £4m facelift over the next year and a half. The Donington Park circuit starts the second phase of its redevelopment to improve the paddock facilities that were originally constructed in the 1970's.
Last year the Cinzano British Grand Prix attracted a record weekend crowd of nearly 130,000 with 82,000 fans packing the circuit on race day. To help ease the traffic flow in and out of the circuit, which is situated just off the M1 next to the East Midlands Airport, a £40,000 traffic impact study has also been instigated.
Donington has the contract to stage the British Grand Prix until 2009 and last year re-surfaced the track at a cost of £1m. The second phase of redevelopment will start in October next year with the demolition of the existing pit garages and Race Control building.
Plans for the necessary planning permission will be submitted in the next couple of weeks by Clear Channel Entertainments, the lessees of the circuit, for the construction of 38 pit lane garages, a new Race Control building, new media centre, extension of paddock one and resurfacing and drainage improvements in both paddocks.
Work will be completed in time for the British Grand Prix in 2006. Improvements to spectator facilities will also be implemented before the British Grand Prix next year on June 19.
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