Rossi tests as Silverstone Wing opens

Added on Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Silverstone’s new “Wing” pit and paddock complex was officially opened yesterday, with big names from the worlds of MotoGP, World Superbikes and Formula 1 on hand to give the circuit’s £25m development the thumbs up.

The new pit, paddock and conference complex was officially opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, KG, who is also President in Chief of the BRDC, marking the end of the second stage of Silverstone’s redevelopment.

The Silverstone Wing has been constructed in response to criticism over Silverstone’s existing facilities, most notably from F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, and will include 41 garages, a race control building, a podium, media centre, hospitality and VIP spectator zones.

Nine-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, British MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow as well as Jonathan Rea and James Toseland were among the stars at the launch ceremony, being joined by five of Britain’s six living Formula World Champions – John Surtees OBE, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Nigel Mansell OBE, Damon Hill OBE and Jenson Button MBE.

The new complex will be used for the British MotoGP round on June 10-12, with the Start/Finish line being moved from its current position between Woodcote and Copse corners to be adjacent with the new facility, located between the Club and Abbey corners.

The opening ceremony was marked by Valentino Rossi putting the new Ducati 1198 through its paces, with the Italian speaking positively over the new bike and Silverstone’s facilities.

“I really had fun,” said Rossi. “After a few laps with the 1198 Superbike, we had a problem with the electronics and decided to use the 1198 street bike that Ducati’s UK affiliate rushed to us.

“I really liked riding that bike here. The track is nice-difficult and very technical. It makes you work hard because there are very fast sections where having the right trajectory is important, and others that are very narrow where you have to have good grip under acceleration. The first turn is completely blind, and you must hold a very precise line, and in general the entire first section is really great, definitely the part I like most.

“In short, I enjoyed it, especially because there were many drivers and riders who have great histories in motorsports, like John Surtees, who told me that he raced here in the ’50s.

“I wasn’t following racing then,” joked the Italian, “but he was great.”

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.