Table of Contents
- Silverstone Racetrack – British Grand Prix F1. 2
- The history of Silverstone Racetrack and the Grand Prix. 2
- Energy Generator Hire Ltd. 3
- Introduction. 3
- The story of Energy Generator Hire. 3
- A partnership. 4
- Challenges for Silverstone F1. 4
- Pre-event set up. 4
- Solutions provided by Energy Generator Hire. 4
- Outcomes and Results. 5
Silverstone Racetrack – British Grand Prix F1
The history of Silverstone Racetrack and the Grand Prix
The history of the Silverstone racetrack began on 2nd October 1948 after the Royal Automobile Club hosted the first British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Originally an RAF base for the Second World War, this new event proved popular with the British people, where a reported 100,000 attendees came to watch.
After a successful eventing period, the Silverstone racetrack conducted two significant refurbishments to the site to keep up with the demand of the racing events.
Silverstone is known for its incredible spectator stands, vast areas for an inclusive vibe, all whilst being set in a picturesque area of England. Silverstone has held all but 17 of the British F1 races since its beginning race in 1950 and is one of the most challenging and fastest events in the racing calendar.
No longer just a venue for holding popular racing events, the Silverstone site is flexible and can adapt to the many event dates held within the grounds today. From corporate gatherings and conferences to track days and team building in the business world to the superbikes challenge and exhibition spaces, Silverstone can cater to various industries all looking to hold an event with Silverstone’s style and exclusivity.
In 2021, Silverstone held Formula 1, and it has been reported to have held the largest attendance in the history of Silverstone racing. Approximately 141,000 people attended the race on Sunday (this does not include the drivers, staff members, and support onsite). Over the entire weekend, the approximate total number of attendees for the event was 365,000. With a massive number of attendees to a Silverstone event, all teams had to be fully prepared to handle that number of guests on site.
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Silverstone had many facilities to ensure that those attending could prove they were not carrying the virus. The medical center was on hand to support if required.
Energy Generator Hire Ltd
Introduction
Energy is a family business based in Buckinghamshire, the heart of England. Committed to offering the best service levels to all their customers, Energy is fast becoming an industry leader for all commercial needs. Founded by entrepreneur Tom Carr, Energy Group is a force to be reckoned with across the UK. Energy Generator Hire is just one of the many brands that sit under the Energy Group name.
The story of Energy Generator Hire
Since 2015, Energy Generator Hire has been providing high-quality generators to all manner of businesses and individuals.
Providing a vast range of generators and accessories at cost-effective prices is not the only service Energy Generator Hire provides. The entire team are highly trained and experienced in generators meaning they can impart advice and knowledge to those looking for their first generator and those looking to upgrade.
Energy Generator Hire doesn’t just provide generators; they can also install, and commission as required. Performing initial site surveys that produce detailed specifications, Energy will ensure your generator is delivered, installed and commissioned correctly at your site, giving you peace of mind that you will not lose power.
When you choose to work with Energy Generator Hire, you will work with a team of experts who regularly work on significant events and installations. Our team will provide complete solution packages suitable for your site or occasion, including cabling, accessories, bunded fuel tanks and distribution if required.
Energy Generator Hire has been working alongside Silverstone for several years, providing various solutions to the events held at Silverstone. From Lapland UK to Formula 1, Energy Generator Hire and its sister companies have supported Silverstone to provide attendees with the best and most exclusive events.
A partnership
Challenges for Silverstone F1
Silverstone Racetrack was getting ready to provide the Formula 1 we had all been waiting for. After 18 months of uncertainty and worry throughout the British public, including isolation, illness and death, the British people needed an event they could watch, enjoy and be proud to be a part of. Combined with growing concerns over the damaging effects to the environment that red diesel was having, Silverstone needed to promote this event using a green alternative to red diesel and continue to work towards their corporate social responsibility.
Pre-event setup
Prior to works being undertaken, a site survey was conducted to understand what was needed and ensure that all generators and equipment could be provided. One hundred twenty generators alongside cabling, powered access, telehandlers, and bespoke distribution were required to power the event successfully.
Pre-event setup took three weeks, and this was managed by a project manager, 20 crew members and 2 BS7909 qualified engineers, responsible for the safe and effective commissioning and sign from each of the generators delivered to the site.
Over 100 different areas across the Silverstone site were identified as requiring power, including:
- Drivers’ campsite
- Medical Centre
- Paddock club grandstand
- Merchandise area – Becketts Corner
- Media Accreditation area
- BRDC clubhouse
- F1 Paddock
Energy Generator Hire also provided all generators and power requirements to Freemans Catering – the catering supplier for Silverstone F1 – in the form of generators, fuel, buggies and gators for their time at the event.
Solutions provided by Energy Generator Hire
A total of 178 generators were running across the event for the weekend. A further 58 generators were required to continue with an adequate power set up to support the vast site requirements. Not only did Energy Generator Hire provide the extra 58 generators quickly and efficiently, but most of the event ran on the popular alternative HVO fuel. Over 60,000 litres of HVO fuel were provided to run the site, topped up with red diesel were required.
HVO – Hydrotreated vegetable oil is an alternative fuel choice for those affected by the red diesel tax reform that starts in April 2022. HVO is a popular choice due to its 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and its recyclability.
The following support was provided alongside generator support:
- Telehandlers between 6 – 17m
- Powered access including boom and scissor lifts between 10 – 28m
- 150 ATV Vehicles
- 20 hospitality vehicles
- 100’s of kilometres of cabling
- 2-seater buggies for transport to the vintage bus
- Bespoke Distribution solutionsÂ
Outcomes and Results
In 2021, Silverstone Formula 1 managed to host the largest event in the history of Silverstone F1 and successfully did this with the support of Energy Generator Hire and the new, popular alternative fuel choice of HVO.
As the largest attendance to a Silverstone F1 event historically, this was a massive achievement for Energy Generator Hire and Silverstone F1. To provide an extremely successful event with most of the power coming from an environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable fuel, this event has paved the way for future events to run in an environmentally conscious way.
Energy Generator Hire and its sister companies are committed to protecting the environment, reducing their carbon footprint and achieving their corporate social responsibility, alongside supporting their clients to achieve their own. Energy Generator Hire has been avoiding the harmful emissions that come with using red diesel and utilising HVO as an alternative fuel solution to red diesel in various ways to promote its green services.
