[Nick Koan]

I hate you all

http://www.crash.net/news_View~t~Pro...~id~125928.htm

The much-hyped Prodrive Formula One announcement turned out to be little more than confirmation that the engineering giant is to build a high technology facility on its Warwick site, although that does not rule out further developments in the future.

Much had been made about the fact that a major revelation was due from David Richards' concern today [Wednesday], but the hoped-for confirmation of an entry into the top flight in 2008 never arrived, as Prodrive staff briefed the local media about its plans for a 200-acre site in Warwickshire, which could become a leading research and development centre for the automotive and motorsport industries. The site already contains a vehicle proving ground and is home to several leading automotive technology companies, including Prodrive, Marcos and TRW.

Development of the site near Kenilworth would see new offices, design studios, R&D laboratories and a conference centre included under one roof, and more than 1000 people could eventually be based at the site, creating new employment opportunities for the area. Prodrive, which is just part of the Fulcrum project, did admit, however, that the facility did have scope to become the home for a new British Formula One team, but stopped short of confirming that it would form the nucleus of that team.

"This is a classic case of Chinese whispers - although there is some basis to it," a Prodrive spokesman told Crash.net, "It's seems that a few people have put two and two together and got ten. This announcement is not confirmation that Prodrive is going to do Formula One."

Development of the site is still subject to the planning consent but, should it be granted, the centre would become known as the Fulcrum. Construction would start in early 2007, with the first development being the 'Catalyst', Fulcrum's signature building. This will be an office and conference centre complex, which could become home to many of the organisations that support the British automotive and motorsport industries, while an adjoining conference centre would have a 250-seat auditorium, making it ideal for international automotive industry events.

While plans for the Fulcrum allow for a motorsport complex within the site, which could eventually house a new British Formula One team, local planning would only allow road silenced vehicles to use the test track.

"The British automotive and motorsport industries are coming under increasing pressure from competition overseas," Richards commented in a media statement, "By developing the Fulcrum, we can provide high level technical skills and resources which will help the region's vehicle manufacturers and motorsport teams succeed and, at the same time, encourage more inward investment to the West Midlands."