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11^th July 2003 (Source: DTI )

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt today announced a new £16 million fund to help sustain and develop the UK Motorsport cluster.

This money will help implement recommendations of the Motorsport Competitiveness Panel published today. The panel looked at ways to strengthen the industry and sport from Engineers at a grass roots level right up to the Formula 1 drivers at the top level of Motorsport.

The panel, which was made up of leading players from Industry, Sport, Academia and Government, was set up by the DTI in October 2002. It recommends that:

• a Motorsport Development Board be created to lead, coordinate and prioritise development activities
• participation in the sport should be improved by reducing cost, improving infrastructure, transportation links, marketing and programmes to improve social inclusion.
• the UK continues to make efforts to host world class Motorsport events like the Formula One world championship, the World Rally Championship, and the World Superbike championship
• the talent of those on the frontline of Motorsport, from drivers to officials, be improved. This should be helped through a national programme of training and development initiatives
• a Motorsport Academy be created to improve the skills of the industry, which will link with the recently announced Automotive Academy. Focus on co-ordinating and maintaining quality across all Motorsport educational courses
• high technology advances from the Motorsport industry should be transferred into other areas.
• energy efficiency within Motorsport should be encouraged to accelerate the development of alternative fuel technology.
• existing tax laws are reviewed to help ensure the industry and sport can be as competitive as possible
• an RDA led Government Motorsport Unit should be formed to co-ordinate available government resources towards the Motorsport cluster

Patricia Hewitt said:

"UK Motorsport has always been the jewel in the crown of the British automotive industry. It is unique in scale and scope and has grown rapidly over the last ten years. However, in a fiercely competitive market we cannot afford to be complacent.

"The industry’s high tech, high value, high skills base is exactly where the future of British manufacturing lies. It is crucial that this industry, which produces some of the most cutting edge products in the world, has the backing to innovate and move forward with confidence.

"I am particularly keen to back the industry because the powerful brand of Motorsport can excite people to pursue careers in high skilled industries such as engineering and electronics."

Patricia Hewitt added:

"I welcome input from all members of the Motorsport community, who were not directly involved in the workings of the panel, over the coming weeks. Following this process, the forthcoming Motorsport Development Board, comprising of representatives from Industry and Sport, will be tasked with implementing these recommendations."

Paul Barron, Co-Chair of the UK competitiveness panel, said:

"The Panel which I co-chaired, supported by its four Working Groups, brought together key stakeholders from Motorsport and related engineering and educational sectors. The Panel's recommendations are designed to help UK Motorsport to sustain and develop a thriving sport and a thriving industry. I am delighted that government has agreed to support the implementation of these recommendations which I believe will help retain Britain's position as a world leader in Motorsport."

David Richards, Chairman of Prodrive and member of the panel, said:

“The British Motorsport industry is a prime example of the inherent world class skills that this country is famous for. Until now though, its success has relied upon the efforts of relatively few entrepreneurs and enthusiasts. I am therefore delighted that the Government has recognised its importance and is putting in place a range of excellent initiatives which will ensure the industry continues to flourish."

Notes for Editors:

1. The report which has financial backing from Government, Industry and Sport is available as a 1.2MB PDF document here

2. The UK Motorsport engineering and services industry is estimated to have a £4.6 billion annual turnover of which over 50 per cent is export sales. The UK industry directly employs 38,500 people of which 25,000 are highly trained engineers in over 3000 individual businesses.

3. The UK Motorsport cluster is often referred to as ‘Motorsport Valley’.

4. Panel members are listed below:

Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Co-Chair)
Paul Barron CBE, President, Alstom Ltd (Co-Chair)
Sir Jackie Stewart, President, British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC)
Professor Garel Rhys, Director, Cardiff Business School
Roger Putnam, Chairman, Ford Motor Company Limited
Dr David Pulling, Corporate Director, Strategy GKN plc
Peter Foubister, Managing Director, Haymarket Publications Ltd.
Richard Burden MP, House of Commons
Chris Aylett, Chief Executive, Motorsport Industry Association (MIA)
John Grant, Chairman, Motor Sports Association (MSA)
Alan Gow, Chairman, Motorsport Strategy Development Group (MSDG)
Murray Smith, Deputy Chairman, Octagon Motorsport
Michael J Baunton, President, Perkins Engines Company Limited
George Lendrum, Commercial Director, Pi Research Ltd
David Richards, Chairman, Prodrive
Paul Markwick, Product Director, Ricardo Group plc

 

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