Venue Description

The end of the Second World War had left Britain with no major race track but an abundance of airfields. One of these surplus airfields was located outside the village of Silverstone and being roughly in the middle of England was seen as an ideal location to bring back international motor racing to Britain.

By 1948 The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) had arranged a one year lease with the Air Ministry in the spirit of optimism and possibility which characterised the time. An ex-farmer, James Wilson Brown, was employed by the RAC and given just two months to turn the site from a wartime airfield and farm into a race track for the first RAC International Grand Prix.

On the 2nd October 1948 an estimated 100,000 people flocked to see Luigi Villoresi beat a field of 22 others in his Maserati. Hay bales and ropes protected the piggery and crops in the middle of the circuit, and canvas barriers stopped drivers from being distracted by cars coming the other way. Silverstone racing history had begun.

Accessibility

At Silverstone we take our responsibilities seriously to ensure that we address our services and facilities for disabled visitors and we undertake regular audits of our facilities in respect of the venue accessibility. If you do experience any problems we would like to hear from you at the event if possible so that we are able to rectify your problem and you are able to enjoy the rest of your day. Should you experience any problems during your visit, please contact any member of staff and ask for the Duty Manager who will make every effort to assist you. As part of our commitment to make Silverstone accessible to all for our promoted meetings we may provide those disabled ticket holders that require full time assistance with 1 free ticket for a partner, accompanying friend or personal assistant (PA). Download a PA application form for 2017 events here. http://www.silverstone.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Personal-Assistant-2-4-1-ticket-application-form-2017v2-1.pdf To qualify for a PA ticket you will need to provide a copy, without exception, of your most recent DLA letter for care and mobility, receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) showing your current entitlement, or a copy of your Attendance Allowance. If you require disabled car parking or camping for Formula 1 British Grand Prix or MotoGP™ a photocopy of both sides of your ‘blue badge’ is required. If you are not offered a free ticket for a PA and the event has sold out we will make one ticket available for you to buy. For enquiries related to the Personal Assistance Ticket Scheme please call 0844 3750 740. Children (aged 15 and under) with a disability must be accompanied by an adult paying the full retail rate as with all child tickets for the venue. Please send all application forms back via email, fax or post: Email: disabilityenquiries@silverstone.co.uk Address: Disability Bookings Silverstone Circuit Silverstone Northamptonshire NN12 8TN

Accessibility Guide

Accessibility Guide Link: http://www.silverstone.co.uk/visiting/disabled-information/

Toilets

All of our disabled toilets are fitted with RADAR locks to prevent access to any person not registered with the national scheme. Keys are available to purchase in advance from participating local authorities, the Disability Rights UK shop or online by searching “national radar key scheme” through your internet search engine.

Staff

For all events qualified staff and facilities are available. Special medical requirements or concerns should be highlighted prior to arrival by calling 0844 3750 740. This will allow us to make arrangements to ensure we provide you with the required level of medical care. So that we are better able to assist you all our staff have received Disability Awareness training. This is carried out on a regular basis.

Assistance dog facilities

Other assistance dog facilities

All registered assistance dogs are welcome. However, before your arrival please contact the circuit on 0844 3750 740 (Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 5:00pm only) so that the necessary arrangements can be made. We would recommend, due to the large number of visitors we have on site during the Grand Prix, that you consider our personal assistant scheme as this entitles you to bring a personal assistant free of charge in place of your assistance Dog.