The new paddock wing at the Silverstone track has just been unveiled, and riding legends like Valentino Rossi were on hand to cut the ribbon.
While at the track, Rossi took the opportunity to do a few laps around the famous English circuit. Rossi rode an 1198 Superbike, but when a problem with the electronics occurred, he hopped on an 1198 street bike, complete with mirrors and a license plate.
“I really had fun,” Rossi said. “After a few laps with the 1198 Superbike, we had a problem with the electronics and decided to use the 1198 street bike that Ducati’s UK affiliate rushed to us.
“I really liked riding that bike here. The track is nice—difficult and very technical. It makes you work hard because there are very fast sections where having the right trajectory is important, and others that are very narrow where you have to have good grip under acceleration.
“The first turn is completely blind, and you must hold a very precise line, and in general the entire first section is really great, definitely the part I like most. In short, I enjoyed it, especially because there were many drivers and riders who have great histories in motorsports, like John Surtees, who told me that he raced here in the ’50s. I wasn’t following racing then. But he was great.”
The MotoGP will head to Silverstone in June for the 7th round of the 2011 racing season. Rossi didn’t get a chance to ride at Silverstone in 2010, due to his injury, and was thankful for the opportunity to wet his wheels at the English circuit.
When the MotoGP heads to Silverstone in June, they’ll get to enjoy the new Silverstone Wing, which will include spacious garages, offices, an auditorium and new media center.
