The official opening of the country’s first ever motorsport based study centre is set for 18 January, with the BRDC Chairman Damon Hill in attendance to formally open the facility.

The  Silverstone  Study  Centre,  jointly  funded  by  Silverstone  Circuits  Limited,  Northamptonshire County Council and the Department for Education and Skills, has been operating since September 2006.  A  group  of  18  students  from  Silverstone  Junior  School,  aged  10-11,  were  the  first  to experience this fantastic new high tech learning environment.

Silverstone Junior School Headteacher, Julie Letts, commented: “To have this facility in our area is a  real  benefit  to  our  pupils.  It  is  important  to  continually  develop  new  and  engaging  ways  of motivating young students, and Silverstone Study Centre succeeds in doing that.” This  is  the  100th  study  centre  to  open  in  the  UK  and  the  fifth  in  Northamptonshire,  with  other centres based at Northampton Saints RFC, Rushden and Diamonds FC, Northampton Town FC and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. Through the nationally acclaimed educational initiative ‘Playing   for   Success’,   these   study   centres   develop   activities   to   promote   motivation   and development throughout the primary and secondary education phases and beyond. The  new  Silverstone  Study  Centre  provides  an  unparalleled  opportunity  for  schools  to  use  a motorsport  setting,  and  a  wide  range  of  activities  and  events,  to  raise  awareness  of  safety, environment and health issues.

The  internal  structure  of  the  centre  has  been  designed  to  mirror  the  circuit  itself,  with  unique features including specially designed grandstand seating, complete with desks, a special-effects ‘Bridge’ across the room - encompassing automated lighting; projection screen; a sound, wind and smoke machine; and aroma canisters - and an interactive replica of the Silverstone F1 Circuit in the flooring design. The official opening event will showcase the activities that students typically participate in at the Study Centre, including a tour of Silverstone Circuit, a musical performance by Kingsbrook School, and poetry with Silverstone Junior School.

Alex Chilcott, Centre Manager, said: “Silverstone is rightly known as the home of British Motorsport and  provides  a  unique  learning  experience  alongside  opportunities  to  develop  new  ground- breaking activities. These study centres help connect sports-mad youngsters with their school work and I am really pleased Northamptonshire County Council is part of such an exciting scheme.” Richard  Phillips,  Managing  Director  of  Silverstone  Circuits  Limited,  commented:  “Silverstone  is proud to be a partner in this amazing educational initiative, and I am delighted to see local students benefiting from it. We are the first circuit in the UK to support an initiative of this nature and we are always looking for new ways to encourage young people to get involved in motorsport.”