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AUTOSPORT retracts article ahead of the return of the 24hr in 2015.

April 17, 2014 by James Reay in BEC
Silverstone

A statement from James Tucker on AUTOSPORTs published article

“I have been asked by the Whittlebury Parish Council’s Chairman to place an apology for a statement put in AUTOSPORT magazine (see 16th January issue). The initial article from AUTOSPORT has now been retracted, with the new article by AUTOSPORT (below) showing a totally different story to the one told in January, and also shows I was incorrectly and dramatically quoted. This put me in a bad position with the Parish, which was at the time very embarrassing. I hope now this is understood by the Chairman and his Councillors and they can withdraw from the letter sent to me.” 

A quote from this week’s article from AUTOSPORT Magazine

The Silverstone 24 Hours could return in 2015 with a spring date if talks between Britcar and the local parish council come to fruition.
Britcar’s flagship event had been scheduled to run this year, but was postponed because of “time constraints” and other operational concerns.
James Tucker, whose revamped Britcar Endurance Championship kicked off last weekend, said that contrary to previous reports (see AUTOSPORT, January 16) Whittlebury parish council had given its full support in rescheduling the event.
AUTOSPORT understands the parties met in February and, along with Silverstone parish council, are working towards an April date for the 24-hour race in 2015.
”I am delighted with the support they [the councils and Silverstone bosses] have provided in working towards a return of the 24-hour race for 2015,” said Tucker.
“The criticism of some of the members received was completely unwarranted – there were never any individual issues regarding noise. They have given us their full co-operation in agreeing to work with us in the hope that we can bring this great event back to Silverstone.”

The planned return of  the Silverstone 24hrs in 2015

Silverstone Circuits Ltd., Britcar and Whittlebury Parish Council have been in talks around the running of the 24hr race in April next year, 2015.

James Tucker – “I am delighted with the support the parish councillors from Silverstone, Whittlebury and Silverstone Circuits Ltd. have provided in working towards a return of the 24-hour race for 2015. The criticism of some of the parish council members received was completely unwarranted – there were never any individual issues regarding noise, and they have given us their full co-operation in agreeing to work with us in the hope that we can bring this great event back to Silverstone.” Silverstone and Britcar felt, the race could not be run because of unforeseen time restraints and until the Council had been brought up to date with the ongoing updates on how the running of the event was going to be done.’

The meeting between representatives of Whittlebury Parish Council, Silverstone Circuits Ltd and Britcar on the 18th February went well. They discussed the possibility of running the event during the second weekend of April 2015, which was seen as favourable, as it would also assist with the events potential fog problems.  

The regulations with regard to limiting public numbers and traffic congestion were also explained, along with the use of a Pace Car. It was proposed that the new Blue flag 60km/h speed limit system would be put in place to reduce the noise impact, along with the standard limits on exhaust control. Information is now being put together to show average drive by decibel figures, which are well below any national or county council guidelines on nuisance values. The reasons for a 24hr race and therefore timetable requirements for the race meeting were explained, and the Chairman asked for a more detailed timetable to be made available, thus highlighting the downtime.

The Whittlebury Parish Council had a separate meeting a week after at which an embellished article written in AUTOSPORT was brought to light, unbeknown to anyone at the joint meeting. Britcar had already asked for restraint,’ by members of Facebook,’ on 12th February via its website. Britcar would like to thank AUTOSPORT for the apology to Britcar and the Parish Council, reference to the article in January. 

‘ I believe the annual consultation now has been done and I am now hoping everyone can now work together and make this unique event a great success.’  

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