Octagon Motorsports Boss Bain Resigns

Octagon Motorsports boss Rob Bain, the man in charge of running the British Grand Prix, has resigned only one day after the race.

The Silverstone event, which came under fire in 2000 after newspapers showed photographs of spectators wading through mud and cars stuck in quagmires, was again criticised by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone last weekend, the Briton claiming the organisation was worse than in 2001 despite several modifications to the carparks and roads to access the facility.

"I didn't come by road but I went round the circuit and I thought the general organisation was pretty bad really - inside the circuit," Ecclestone said. "There were no signs. Nobody knew where anybody was going, nobody knew who was doing what. It was complete disorganisation.

"Inside the paddock is all right, and the roads thank God are all right. But the rest of it is typical. In fact, it's worse this year than it has ever been."

Bain said on Monday that the criticism received was "gratuitous", adding that he was proud of the organisation.

"I have had a tremendous few years and I am very proud of the Grand Prix that we staged this weekend," said Bain in a statement. "It is disheartening still to hear gratuitous outside comments about the event, and I do not wish them to overshadow what the team has achieved."

Octagon have the rights to promote the race at Silverstone for 15 years after leasing the circuit from the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC). The company embarked on a major road building programme before this year's race, spending $15 million, and is planning a major revamp of circuit facilities by the 2003 Grand Prix.

The circuit has been plagued by congestion and traffic chaos for decades but Sunday's race won plaudits from other officials, including the International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley.

"Was it our fault that he did not request a driver to come across from Silverstone to fetch him?" the Standard quoted Bain as saying about Ecclestone. "His car approached the circuit without displaying any passes. Was it our fault he did not request circuit passes? Or that he did not request advice on a route?

"We don't allow vehicles at the south end of the circuit, just customers on foot. So obviously his car moved slowly through the pedestrians. If he had gone along the improved (road) to the main entrance he would have got in far quicker.

"I respond well to fair criticism. I'm the first person to stick my hand up if things go wrong. But if it's unfair, I feel quite strongly about it. This is unfair."

The name of Bain's replacement is still unknown.