Motorsport UK, the British Motorsport Trust (BMT) and the UK’s largest race circuit owners are proud to announce that there will be a rollout of FIA High-Tech Light Panels across the top Motorsport UK licenced race circuits, starting this spring.

Motorsport UK, the BMT and the UK circuit owners have agreed to work with leading motorsport safety solutions provider EM Motorsport, a principal supplier of electronic safety devices, sensors & custom-built systems to the Motorsport industry, to rollout the FIA High-Tech Light Panels.

This significant safety initiative comes after Motorsport UK conducted wide-ranging discussions into the safety of marshal posts, in collaboration with UK circuit owners and the BMT.

Partially funded by the BMT, the FIA homologated FIA High-Tech Light Panels will be installed across all UK race circuits that have FIA International Grade 3 (and above) status. These include Croft, Knockhill, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Thruxton and alongside circuits that already have them installed – Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park – this accounts for approximately 80% of all Motorsport UK permitted racing activity in the UK.

Competitors and marshals will be able to participate in events safe in the knowledge that the most up to date and internationally recognised technology will be fully visible, regardless of weather conditions, removing the associated risk that traditional flag signals present when marshals attempt to relay critical safety messages to competitors.

Hugh Chambers, CEO, Motorsport UK, commented: “Providing a safe environment for our sport to thrive is at the heart of Motorsport UK. It is essential we provide safety for competitors and volunteers alike who deliver the sport every weekend throughout the UK.

“The rollout of FIA High-Tech Light Panels represents a significant step forward in modernising UK race circuits by adopting the latest and most advanced technology.

“Motorsport UK is committed to improving safety and we thank BARC, MSV, Knockhill Racing Circuit, the British Motorsport Trust and EM Motorsport for their engagement and commitment.”

Rod Parkin, Chair of the BMT, commented: “The British Motorsport Trust (BMT) was formed as an UK Registered Charity in 1977 with the aim of supporting the training of volunteer motorsport officials and further enhancing medical and safety aspects of our sport.  Since that time the Trust has regularly committed significant funds annually towards such initiatives.  This new partnership support for the funding of light panels provides an ideal opportunity for the Trust to continue delivering its objectives in respect of both marshals and race circuit safety, promote our activities and raise awareness of the Trust.”

Jonathan Palmer, Chair of the Association Of Motor Racing Circuit Owners, said: “This is tremendous news, and an enormously progressive step towards further improving safety standards at British racing circuits. At MSV, we’ve had FIA homologated EM Motorsport light panels in place at Brands Hatch and Donington Park for a few years now, but this funding from Motorsport UK and the British Motorsport Trust enables us to really take things to the next level with full trackside coverage at both venues in addition to Oulton Park and Snetterton. And this doesn’t just help us at MSV – all UK circuits certified at FIA Grade 3 or above are eligible to receive funding.

“This superb initiative allows us to further protect both the marshals working trackside, by reducing the need for their presence in some hazardous areas, as well as competitors on the circuit itself. The benefits are far-reaching, increasing safety levels beyond just Motorsport UK-permitted race meetings. Indeed, there are hundreds of car and bike track days and test sessions held each year in addition to motor racing events, all of which will gain from this development.”

After the installation at these initial venues, it is intended, where practical, to extend the project so that all 17 Motorsport UK licenced race circuits will benefit from the increased safety the FIA High-Tech Light Panels provide.