Silverstone circuit Managing Director Stuart Pringle shares certain details of the latest full resurface ahead of the F1 and MotoGP races.
Following the unfortunate situation during 2018’s MotoGP race where weather played a huge role along with lack of proper drainage system, the Silverstone circuit owners were forced for another resurface of the track ahead of the 2019 events.
The resurface of the entire Silverstone circuit started last week with Italian design company Dromo being called upon to solve the persistent issues faced by the circuit. The company has worked with multiple race circuits already, whether for F1 and or MotoGP.
Pringle said that Dromo used CAD technology to execute their ideas, especially find ways for rain water to drain out qucikly. He is confident of their work along with Tarmac – the asphalting contractors – who had to buy new equipment to work at Silverstone.
“We are resurfacing the track again, it is the second time in two years,” started Pringle in an interview to MotoGP website. “There were some issues with the previous resurfacing and that came to light at last year’s MotoGP event.
“It was brought on by the exceptional weather we had that weekend, so we had to sort it out and that’s what we are doing. Its a full resurface that is the entire circuit of 5.8km. It is a new type of asphalt, one we have designed specifically for Silverstone.
“It is right for our climate, that means it is going to cope with the temperature and the weather. And the fact that we are a high traffic circuit as we not only have MotoGP but F1 and all the other forces it brings, we are busy all the time.
“I would we are probably the busiest circuits in the world, so, it has to cope with a lot of traffic. Whats really important is, we are bringing in civil engineering to try and asses the drainage issues, we need to get the water out quickly.
“Silverstone started life as an airfield, so it is considerably flat if not totally flat – anyone who has run a half-marathon will tell you – but it is reasonably flat. So, we have profiled to get better camber, better floor to move the water.
“We have also put a bit of a crown at the Hanger Straight. So, the outcome will be that all the good bits of Silverstone, all the fast-flowing corners, the high-speed sections that join up so well will remain as it as for the riders/drivers.
“But it will come with a fantastically grippy asphalt, which drains really well and is super smooth. It is going to be really-really smooth because the bumps were bothering the riders [and the drivers] and this time we have eliminated them.”
[Note: The lead photo is from 10 months ago]