Silverstone out of a jam

Octagon Motorsports is confident that work on the road network surrounding Silverstone will be finished in time to prevent the traffic chaos that has recently threatened the future of the British Grand Prix.

The £10.6 million road-building project around the track is on target for the July 7 race, when the new Silverstone bypass will be used for the first time.

“Everyone is working exceptionally hard to ensure that timetables are met and that we deliver on the promises we have mode,” said Rob Bain, chief executive of Octagon Motorsports.

Following the Grand Prix on July 7 will be the Historic Sports Car Club Invitation Challenge for 1950-60s sportscars. A capacity grid has been selected from more than 80 applications and will include Ford GT4Os for Chris Chiles and Mark Lemmer, Joaquin Folch in David Piper’s Ferrari 275LM and Win Percy’s Le Mans-winning D-type.