Damon Hill: "We need all the support we can get"

THE battle to ensure Silverstone remains the home of the British Grand Prix is gathering support.

Damon Hill, the last British F1 champion in 1996 and now president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) who control Silverstone, said: “I don’t think you can underestimate the effect the grand prix has on the environment, industries, employment and the country.

“We very much hope we can move forward to make Silverstone a place we can be really proud of, not just for the BRDC but also for the UK to beam motorsport and our event around the world. We need all the support we can get. ”

The day EJ beat them all

Now take your mind back to the start of Spa in 1998. Damon Hill's third on the grid, and it's been raining since the morning warm-up...

Damon [Hill]’s clutch snatched at the start and he spun his rear wheels on the wet track. He had dropped from third to seventh by the time the leaders reached the first corner.

Disappointment had barely taken hold when there was another surprise.

The television pictures showed mounting chaos as David Coulthard spun at the exit of the corner and car after car seemed to pile into the McLaren.

Wheels and bits of bodywork flew in all directions, leaving the organisers with no alternative but to stop the race. Damon was going to get a second chance – provided his car had not been damaged.

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