OFF-SEASON SAFETY UPGRADES AT UK CIRCUITS
Changes in clude more run-off and better access
Changes have been made during the off-season to the Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Mallory Park circuits in a bid to improve safety and accessibility for competitors, marshals and spectators.
Improvements have been made by Motorsport Vision at Brands Hatch on the approach to Graham Hill Bend with “up to a maximum of 15 metres” of run-off being added on the right-hand side, as well as repair work on the exit of the corner.
“MSV continually reviews circuit safety and this is an area where some more space could help to reduce the number of incidents, for motorcycles especially,” said Giles Butterfield, group operations and engineering manager for MSV.
Butterfield confirmed no new catch-fencing would be added as “the area of work is not near a spectator viewing area”.
Other changes include resurfacing work where the Grand Prix circuit rejoins the Indy circuit at Clearways, while new kerbs are being laid at Paddock Hill Bend.
Safety improvements have also been made at Mallory Park, where barriers have been moved closer to the circuit on the inside of the final corner, Devil’s Elbow.
The barrier now runs parallel with the start/finish straight, where previously a funnel affect was caused by a footbridge over the circuit (see far right picture).
“It’s something we have looked at for many years,” said circuit director Stuart Hicken.
“If you look from Devil’s Elbow down the straight the [foot] bridge [above the startline] has always jutted out.
“So it would have cost threequarters of a million pounds for a new bridge or the sensible thing was to put [closer] barriers from the startline to the Elbow.
“Any car that has gone off the circuit there came back across the circuit where now it can’t do that. If you hit the barrier you’ll just go straight.”
Hicken also confirmed there were no concerns over the now-closer barrier being on the outside of the circuit’s oval layout, which will be reused for the first time since 2005 this year.
Changes are also ongoing at Donington Park, which MSV acquired in 2017.
These include a new main paddock entrance for pedestrians, a new, hard surface for paddock three, relocation of the race winners’ podium and new marshal posts.