Tuesday April 25th, 2000

Brands Hatch motor racing circuit on Tuesday claimed to have significant support from local people for its 25 million pounds ($39.42 million) redevelopment plans to host the British Grand Prix from 2002.

In the wake of last weekend's rain-hit event at Silverstone, where thousands of ticket-holders missed the race because of floods, deep mud and traffic chaos, the Kent circuit's announcement only adds to the mid-England track's woes.

A statement from Brands Hatch said that the results of a poll conducted by ICM showed that 85 per cent of those who responded supported the track's development.

Brands Hatch won the rights to host the British Grand Prix from 2002 to 2007 in May 1999.

"We are pleased that so many people clearly welcome the initiatives we are taking to protect the environment," said the track's chief executive Rob Bain.

He said Brands Hatch intended to make sure that access and parking problems were overcome with a strategic traffic plan while 25 million pounds would be spent on redeveloping the circuit.

Bain also claimed that local residents had accepted aspects of the Brands plan in areas where they were concerned about loss of woodland and noise because of the way in which the circuit intended to carry out its expansion.