Silverstone unveils new driving experience and test complex

Silverstone has unveiled details of its brand new Stowe Complex – a unique collection of customer focused test track facilities, hospitality units and pit garages, that will be due for completion by March 2010.

The new complex will spearhead the push by Silverstone to diversify into the corporate and commercial sectors, providing a venue for product demonstrations and bespoke driving experiences with its own dedicated track and outbuildings.

The focal point of the centre will be a new multi-surface 1.15 mile fully-licensed race track. Purpose-designed, the circuit can be used to demonstrate chassis control systems like ESP and ABS on modern vehicles.

Alongside a split braking area, Stowe Complex will be home to a three-lane irrigated wet handling pad boasting different levels of grip from sheet ice to standard wet tarmac.

Away from the track, two new hospitality buildings have been constructed with automotive and corporate events in mind. The first group of units will serve the new Stowe Complex and the second the existing Southern Circuit.

Both buildings have roof terrace viewing along with briefing rooms and independent catering facilities. Neutrally dressed the units come with easily interchangeable brand strips offering total ownership for events if required.

Stowe Complex is the first phase of a £7m track development programme that will also see additional configurations to the existing Grand Prix circuit to cater for the arrival of the Moto GP in 2010.

This new facility will mean that Silverstone Circuit can boast 5 different track configurations on its unique 800 acre site.

Richard Phillips, managing director of Silverstone Circuits, explained: “The state of the art Stowe Complex will further enhance our offering to manufacturers, corporations and brands involved in motorsport as well as support the growth of Silverstone’s role at the centre of Motor Sport Valley.”

The venue is already home to the independent Porsche Driving Experience Centre and the Silverstone run Audi Driving Experience and Lotus Silverstone showroom. The Circuit’s logistics division, Silverstone International, currently runs the hugely successful Nissan Race Academy as part of the Nissan 370Z driving experience.