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Prodrive

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Prodrive (disambiguation).

Prodrive
Company typePrivate
IndustryMotorsport
Advanced Technology
Founded1984
HeadquartersBanbury, England
Key people
David Richards (founder and chairman)
WebsiteProdrive.com

Prodrive is a British motorsport and advanced engineering group based in Banbury, England.

History

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Proving ground in Warwickshire

Prodrive was founded in 1984 by Ian Parry and David Richards.[citation needed]

Prodrive sold its 51% stake in Ford Performance Vehicles to Ford Australia in 2012. Prodrive also founded Ford Performance Racing in 2003, entering the V8 Supercar series in Australia after purchasing Glenn Seton Racing. This was sold in January 2013.[1]

Motorsport activities

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Formula One

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Jacques Villeneuve driving for the then Prodrive-run BAR team at the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis in 2003

On 28 April 2006, Prodrive were officially granted entry to F1 when the FIA announced the list of entrants to the 2008 Formula One World Championship.[2] It was announced on 23 November 2007 that Prodrive F1 would not compete in the 2008, as the legal situation left no time for the team to be set up for the start of the season.[3]

On 23 April 2009, Prodrive issued a press release stating that they were considering an F1 entry for the 2010 season, possibly under the Aston Martin Racing brand.[4][5] On 29 May 2009, it was reported that Prodrive had submitted a formal application for the 2010 season. However, Prodrive was not accepted to the final grid. Prodrive was one of two potential buyers considered by the Renault F1 Team to take-over the team prior to the 2010 season.[6] In April 2010 Prodrive announced it would not apply for the 2011 Formula One season. The slot became available after US F1 Team collapsed.[7]

Facilities

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Prodrive had a facility at the former RAF Honiley airfield and LucasVarity proving ground near Wroxall, Warwickshire, together with Marcos and TRW.[8]

In March 2006, Prodrive announced its intent to build a £200million, 200-acre (0.8 km2) motorsport facility called "The Fulcrum".[9][10]

As of 3 August 2006, Prodrive has won the support of the Warwick District Council planning committee for development of The Fulcrum.[11] The permission covers a highly advanced engineering research and development campus, a conference facility called the Catalyst Centre and new access road, a roundabout, infrastructure, parking and landscaping. The plans still have to be presented and agreed by the British government's Department for Communities and Local Government. There is local opposition against Prodrive's plans via the Fulcrum Prodrive Action Group (FPAG) to protect the rural nature of the community and the safety of the people that live within it.[8]

In 2014 the site was sold to Jaguar Land Rover.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ V8 team FPR sold to Melbourne-based pair Sydney Morning Herald 5 January 2013
  2. ^ "2008 FIA Formula One World Championship Entry List". Archived from the original on 22 June 2007.
  3. ^ "F1-Live - Prodrive no-go for 2008". Archived from the original on 19 March 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  4. ^ "2008 Prodrive Press Release". Archived from the original on 3 May 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
  5. ^ "Richards keen on Formula 1 return". 23 April 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2018 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Renault considering rival bids for team". Autosport.
  7. ^ "Prodrive rules out entering F1 in 2011". Autosport.
  8. ^ a b Protest against Formula One plans[permanent dead link‍] kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk - 24 March 2006
  9. ^ New Formula One plans unveiled BBC News - 1 March 2006
  10. ^ Prodrive plans £200m F1 facility Archived 4 March 2006 at the National and University Library of Iceland itv-f1.com - 13 March 2006
  11. ^ Prodrive development approved[permanent dead link‍] kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk - 3 August 2006

Other sources

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  • Cropley, S (9 November 2004). Beauty and the beast. Autocar pp. 44–51.
  • Cropley, S (30 November 2004). Out, but not down. Autocar pp. 72–73.
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