Revving up the future: How cutting-edge technology transformed the track at Silverstone Circuit
Tarmac, a CRH company, successfully delivered a high-performance resurfacing of the iconic Silverstone Circuit by combining bespoke material design with some of the most advanced digital construction technologies available
Faced with a tight three-week deadline ahead of the British Grand Prix, the team developed a solution capable of withstanding the extreme stresses of elite motor racing while prioritizing both safety and performance. The innovative technologies pioneered at Silverstone have since been applied to public highway projects across the UK, enhancing the resilience, durability and sustainability of everyday road infrastructure.
Project Snapshot
Location: Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Product Type(s): Road Planning, Asphalt, Paving & Construction
Engineering speed for the British Grand Prix
The internationally famous Silverstone Circuit sees thousands of vehicles race around its track every year, at speeds of up to 200mph.
In need of an essential upgrade ahead of the 2019 British Grand Prix, the Silverstone team turned to Tarmac, a CRH Company, to design and deliver a bespoke surfacing solution that would withstand the extreme stresses of elite motor racing.
Developing a race-ready surface for safety and performance
Given the high speeds on the track, a focus on both safety and performance was key. Technical experts created an innovative new asphalt mix capable of providing the hi-tech surface critical for safety and speed. Consistent grip for tires in both wet and dry conditions was also needed, along with the ability to shed water quickly.
Precision under pressure
Before Tarmac could lay the new surface, the old track had to be removed. The program schedule was tight. There was a limited window of opportunity before the Grand Prix, and poor weather further reduced the delivery time available. Rising to the challenge, a surface equivalent to eighteen football pitches was milled in just three days and two nights. The team deployed a laser scanning system that could detect and eliminate near invisible bumps to create a 3D model of the track. This was used by the milling machines to adjust gradients and improve drainage as they worked.
Next came the carefully choreographed resurfacing. A specialist setup of three digitally controlled paving machines in close formation followed the 3D model to ensure the new surface was joint-free across the width of the track. The paving machines had to work continuously as any stops in the laying process could result in bumps in the final road surface, making a significant difference to track performance, safety and durability.
Results
The Silverstone resurfacing project was delivered in just three weeks and set a new standard for the finish of racetracks, resulting in a quality level impossible to achieve with more traditional methods. Including 18,000 tonnes of recycled material, it went straight into action and saw Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton set a new race lap record as he clinched victory in the British Grand Prix.
While very few motorists travel at such high speeds, they can all benefit from higher performing road surfaces. The innovative technology used at Silverstone Circuit has since been transferred to British public highways projects, making journeys better by reducing road noise and improving ride quality which, in turn, leads to less fuel consumption.
Our drive to advance innovation and make roads safer, more resilient and more sustainable continues. We are proud to stand together to reinvent the way our world is built.
Explore more projects
Next-Generation Asphalt Technology
Roadstone, a CRH Company, has developed an innovative, scalable solution that sets a new benchmark in high-performance roads. A groundbreaking asphalt mix featuring…
72-hour runway rehab
West Virginia Paving overcame a logistical challenge when completing a comprehensive runway rehabilitation project at West Virginia International Yeager Airport…
Tunneling Through a Mountain
A 2.1-km tunnel will carve through the mountains, providing an essential lifeline to shield motorists from rockfalls and treacherous snow…
Stormwater in Tennessee
When the design plan of the Williamson County Medical Center, in Nashville, TN came face to face with several unique challenges posed by regulatory and site constraints, they turned to CRH for a smart solution…
Dale Mabry Highway
Repaving the Dale Mabry Highway (State Road 597) in Tampa, Fla. presented a range of technical and logistical challenges. This busy urban corridor connects key destinations including…
Vital harbor in tonga
The Queen Sālote International Wharf (QSIW) is a major artery for inbound cargo arriving in Tonga, but the wharf, and specifically its hardstand, was badly in need of an upgrade…
George Washington Bridge
As a reputable paver in the Tri-State area, known for its work on the Mario Cuomo Bridge, Tilcon NY was awarded the contract to resurface G.W. Bridge’s bridge deck…
Yellowstone
HK Contractors (HK), A CRH Company, has completed many successful projects within the park, enabling sightseers to enjoy the vast landscape safely, securely and sustainably…
3D Printing: A Durable, Sustainable Solution to the Housing Market
CRH is developing the use of 3D concrete printing (3DCP), a revolutionary construction method by which buildings are ‘printed’ from a plan, one layer of concrete at a time…
Teton Pass
Following a catastrophic landslide at Teton Pass, CRH companies collaborated to build a critical temporary detour under an almost impossible two-week deadline…