THE DUKE OF YORK EMERGED FROM THE TWO-SEATER, 600hp CAR, AFTER BEING CHAUFFEURED AROUND SILVERSTONE TRACK BY EX-FORMULA ONE CHAMPION DAMON HILL, TO SAY IT WAS LIKE BEING IN THE BACK SEAT OF A TORNADO FIGHTER JET AT LOW LEVEL OVER THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS. THE PRINCE WAS GUEST OF HONOR AS THE CIRCUIT UNVEILED A £5 MILLION NEW TRACK LAYOUT, THE FIRST PHASE OF A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT THAT WILL EVENTUALLY COST JUST UNDER £40 MILLION. HE WAS ALSO WELCOMED TO THE CIRCUIT BY ANOTHER EX-FORMULA ONE CHAMPION, JACKIE STEWART. AFTER CUTTING A RIBBON AND UNVEILING A PLAQUE, THE PRINCE WAS THEN GIVEN A HIGH-SPEED TASTE OF THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE VENUE. IN A RACE SUIT AND BOOTS, HE WAS STRAPPED INTO THE CAR TO BE DRIVEN BY THE 1996 WORLD CHAMPION. AFTER FOUR LAPS OF THE 3.66-MILE CIRCUIT, THAT NOW INCLUDES A NEW INNER SECTION OF SIX CORNERS DESIGNED FOR OVERTAKING, ANDREW SAID: 'IT WAS QUITE AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE.' THE PRINCE SAID HE WAS KEEN TO ENSURE THE INDUSTRY THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS AROUND SILVERSTONE CONTINUES TO THRIVE AND GROW. 'IT'S ABOUT ENCOURAGING INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY TO TAKE PLACE HERE, BUT ALSO ABOUT EDUCATION', HE ADDED.
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