The East Midlands is aiming to take "pole position" in the debate on greener motorsport by running a workshop at its Sustainability Expo on 16 October 2007, at Rockingham Speedway near Corby, Northamptonshire.
Motorsport is a significant industrial sector in the East Midlands, which hosts a major concentration of racing teams, circuits, suppliers and technology developers. The regional and local authorities strongly support the racing industry and value its role as a high-tech employer and source of income and local pride.
The East Midlands also recognises the urgent need to tackle climate change, with 100% of its local authorities (LAs) signed up to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change since April 2007.
The aim of the workshop is to support the emerging debate within motorsport about reducing environmental impacts, in particular carbon emissions.
Workshop organiser Philip Gray said:
"We want to identify barriers to progress and priorities for action within the region and elsewhere."
He adds that the workshop should help to promote the idea of "greener motorsport" within the East Midlands, and ensure that the region takes "pole position" in this debate. As well as looking at vehicle technologies, participants will discuss how to run greener venues and events.
Mr Gray Continued:
"All these aspects have a role to play, Technology is important but we also want to examine potential quick wins in other areas, such as waste management and biodiversity."
The half-day workshop will be chaired by Brendan Connor, chairman of CENEX at Loughborough University, and will include contributions from some of the leading motorsport firms in the region, motorsport regulators, and environmental experts. It will also be preceded by a track demonstration of selected vehicles.
For further information or to book a place, contact Philip Gray at Northamptonshire County Council on 01604 236 993 or pcgray@northamptonshire.gov.uk.
East Midlands Expo 2007, to be held this year at the prestigious Rockingham Speedway, Corby, Northamptonshire October 16th from 8.30 to 4pm, will feature a range of low carbon and sustainable products and services. It will bring together a wide range of organisations and individuals to identify real opportunities for your business or organisation to combat climate change and create a more sustainable future.
Entrance to EXPO is free.
