Essay 1: Runner-up

Our Excursion to Silverstone -- Karin Gutmann

Yes, it’s Silverstone, not Flintstone. Never having played with toy racing cars and never having watched Formula One I might lack this special motor racing gene. So the prospect of going to Silverstone as part of our Business Studies course did not have an immediate effect on my blood pressure.

When entering the huge 880 square mile area, passing the parking lot with its pretty impressive cars and seeing big boys nearly moved to tears because of the roaring up and down of the engines on the circuit you immediately remember what economics is all about: unlimited wants and limited resources.

Alfi, who started his career as a racing driver in the 60s and now works as an instructor, took us on tour, explaining the conversion of this former World War II airfield into the home of the of the Formula One British Grand Prix. We looked at Silverstone’s ‘heart’, the British Racing Drivers’ Club with its spectacular view over the hairpin curves and its 1,000 racing car models, its high-tech ‘brains’ with 30 monitors, the car mechanics’ golden hands and the medical centre, which hosts all the facilities of a modern hospital.

And of course we all stood on top of the podium, tried to smell the champagne which had been sprayed around and felt a bit like Lewis Hamilton.

Car racing is mainly financed by its sponsors: Arai (helmets), Avon (tyres), Aon (insurance policies), Ford (guess what) and the Royal Air Force (which gave me some food for thought), just to mention a few of them.

Talking about money: if you want to see this unique shine in the eyes of your (male?) beloved ones, why don’t you treat them to a Ferrari or Aston Martin driving experience: three laps including a briefing for £99.

At the end of the tour I found myself sitting in a Ferrari, with a big smile on and elbow out, and had pictures taken. Some genes take a long time before they come into effect I suppose.

Essay 2: Winner

SILVERSTONE EXPERIENCE, I WILL NEVER FORGET – Edouard Gout

Have you ever been in a Ferrari? I have been! Let me explain the context. Going to Silverstone is one of the trips organized by the British Studies Centres for its business students and let me tell you something: it is an amazing experience.

At 9:30, a minibus provided by the school was waiting for us… Of course, nobody was missing and it takes around thirty minutes to have one foot in Northamptonshire and the other one in Buckinghamshire! Indeed, Silverstone is so big that it is located in both shires! Now, this is not surprising when you know that Silverstone was a World War Two airfield. Fortunately, runways have not been destroyed and are operational for… air shows.

But back to racing cars. As we expected, when we entered the Silverstone’s circuit, racing cars were everywhere… in car parks, in garages, in showrooms and of course in the main circuit speeding by experienced and crazy drivers. Imagine how exciting it was to see and especially to sit in a Ferrari 360 F1^TMModena, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage or a Lotus Exige S. Most of the drivers were amateurs and brought their own cars: so, it was hard to not be surprised to see a Renault running near these sport cars.

Then, our guide, actually a race instructor, starts to tell us everything we need to know about Silverstone. Indeed, it is important to keep in mind, that each trip is linked with business courses: one of our teachers is in charge to provide some materials and discuss with us about management or marketing issues during the visit.

An interesting point we learn is that the beleaguered home of the Formula One British Grand Prix (since 1948) is owned by the British Racing Drivers’ Club (a private limited company), which has around 300 members including former F1 world champion such as Nigel Mansell or Damon Hill and even F1’s newest superstar, Lewis Hamilton. Above all, is not a small business: the circuit has a book value of £61 million and recently it made a £13.6 million in gross profits and earnings after-tax of £1.3 million (up from a 2.6 million loss the previous year). UK government and local authority are continuing to support racing activity, so Silverstone will be able to add a new test centre as well as two hotels. Investments in Silverstone are not stopping and the management is now trying to make changes to the circuit for the Moto GP. Silverstone is moving forward… Be ready to see it!

The trip includes a drive workshop tour, a race control visit and an unforgettable F1 Winners’ podium photo opportunity. See you on a Lamborghini, a Porsche or any sport car you desire!

NB: racing experiences are offered at affordable prices!