The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) has announced the launch of the Silverstone Motorsport Academy.
Managed by the BRDC’s subsidiary company, Silverstone Circuits Limited, the Academy will continue to build on the foundations laid down in previous years by Silverstone Racing School - Europe's centre of excellence for racing driver development and coaching.
The change of name to Silverstone Motorsport Academy will enable the circuit to apply the same standards of coaching and driver development to all areas of motorsport. While Silverstone currently prides itself on the unrivalled standard of courses available in single seater driving, the objective of the Academy is to add similar levels of training and competition in disciplines including rallying, track day driving and drifting. Silverstone Motorsport Academy will continue to provide courses for drivers looking to get started in racing – ranging from the basic MSA ARDS licence tests through to intensive race tuition courses – and will be unique in providing participants the opportunity to actually race their cars in a cost-effective and convenient 'arrive-and-drive' programme. However, the Academy will not just appeal to those with a passion for racing.
The circuit’s range of development courses will also provide coaching and training facilities to benefit individuals who want to enhance their driving skills. In addition to the Silverstone Motorsport Academy’s flagship racing programme – the hugely popular multi-circuit BRDC Single Seater Championship – 2005 will see an additional racing programme available to Academy graduates.
As a result of immediate investment by the BRDC, Academy participants will have the opportunity to compete in a new race series based exclusively at Silverstone. The 'Star of Silverstone' single seater series will offer customers the most cost effective ‘arrive-and-drive’ racing programme available anywhere in the UK.
Ken Bowes, Manager of Silverstone Motorsport Academy commented: ”Silverstone Racing School gave us a fantastic foundation on which to build, grow and improve the range of motorsport driver development programmes available at Silverstone – the Home of British Motor Racing. The launch of the Silverstone Motorsport Academy marks a significant step for all of us involved in this programme.”
Bowes continued: “Anyone who knows us understands how motivated we are to provide excellence in driver development at all levels in the sport. Silverstone Motorsport Academy provides something unique and crucial in the sport and we will relish the challenge of developing and growing this part of the Silverstone operation.” For further information about the Silverstone Motorsport Academy, or to apply for the Star of Silverstone series or the 2005 BRDC Single Seater Championship visit silverstone- circuit.co.uk or call 08704 588212.
