Silverstone is to receive more than £9 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help preserve its famous motor racing heritage.
It is part of a nationwide £68m round of grants to preserve heritage sites which also include the last surviving warship of the First World War, HMS Caroline, and a scheme to re-open the BBC studios and Victoran theatre at London’s Alexander Palace.
All the projects will each receive hundreds of thousands of pounds of funding to develop their full proposals in order to secure a firm grant at a later date.
Dame Jenny Abramsky, chairwoman of the HLF, said: “From Cornish tin mining to the development of motor racing and the history of broadcasting, these projects all reflect a real desire to tell the stories of important aspects of the UK’s heritage, and as such we felt they were hugely deserving of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s support.”
Former motor racing champion Sir Jackie Stewart welcomed the support for the Silverstone bid.
He said: “Silverstone holds special memories for me as I am proud to have won the British Grand Prix in 1969 and 1971.
“This grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund is hugely important as a first step in helping the British Racing Drivers’ Club and Silverstone
to ensure that the ensure that the heritage of the site that of British motor sport can reach a far wider audience than before and cements its
importance for future generations.”