Silverstone Heritage will be the recipient of a £9.1million pound grant courtesy of the National Lottery Fund. In turn, an experience centre showcasing the circuit’s illustrious history will be built.
Since it’s beginnings as RAF Silverstone during World War Two, the once humble airfield has become the home of British racing. The legendary race track has hosted thousands of races and provided the backdrop for countless memorable moments. Celebrating all the wheel-to-wheel action that has graced the hallowed tarmac will be the Silverstone Heritage Experience set to open in 2019.
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The attraction will take visitors through a chronological journey of Silverstone from its infancy as a motorsport venue, to its prowess today and what role it may play going into the future of the changing landscape of motorsport. Completing the exhibition will be a research centre and guided tours of the Silverstone complex highlighting locations of historic significance.
Sir Peter Luff, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “When completed this project will help visitors, many of whom will know little about these aspects of Silverstone’s heritage, to understand much more about the context and importance of this internationally renowned racing circuit. Thanks to National Lottery players, more of the stories in this exciting heritage can now be told.”
The experience will be located within the confines of the site’s sole remaining World War Two hangar. The hangar will receive some love and attention undergoing a full refurbishment befitting of a shrine to the home British motorsport. Such a setting will surely get all the nostalgic juices flowing allowing visitors to fully indulge in the past triumphs of not only drivers, but the surrounding area steeped in rich racing culture.
As apathy rises amongst Formula 1 fans and spectator numbers dwindle, hopefully this tribute to Silverstone’s history will attract motorsports enthusiasts. Reigniting their love for all things racing, and invoke echoes of Lewis Hamilton, John Surtees and Sir Stirling Moss going hammer-and-tong through Maggots and Becketts.
