Silverstone Lights Up Red For Events Industry Global Day Of Action

• Silverstone’s Wing conference facility and British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) headquarters lit in red, supporting #LightItInRed campaign to raise awareness for the plight of the live events industry
• A grid of empty flight cases on the start/finish line below red start lights on the Grand Prix circuit highlighted the urgent support needed for the live events sector
• A powerful shaft of light beamed into the night sky represented the industry’s workforce
• Silverstone has been significantly impacted by the pandemic with no spectators allowed to race meetings and the cancellation of all conference and events

Silverstone Circuit glowed vibrant red last night, supporting the #WeMakeEvents global day of action, Stand As One and the #LightItInRed campaign which co-ordinates light projections that create visual statements, to build awareness for the plight of the live events industry.

The Wing, Silverstone’s impressive conference facility, hosting events for up to 4000 guests, illuminated red from the inside and outside, with a striking light projection that lit up the evening sky. A grid of empty flight cases on the start/finish line of the famed Silverstone race track and the track lights around the circuit all displayed red, with a backdrop of Silverstone Drive experience cars and circuit fire tender added to the spectacle. The stunning British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) headquarters was also lit red, and a dramatic shaft of light, one of 60 across the UK, beamed into the night sky to represent the workforce affected by the halt of the industry.

As one of the UK’s iconic sports venues, Silverstone has been significantly impacted by the pandemic, with many motor racing meetings cancelled and all others held behind closed doors without spectators. Conferences, exhibitions and corporate events bookings for 2020 have all been cancelled and the Wing facility remains closed for large scale events for the foreseeable future.

Hayley Smith, Head of Corporate Sales, Silverstone, says, “We’re proud to be supporting the #LightItInRed campaign and We Make Event’s global day of action. While we’ve been able to run some motor racing events, these have all been without spectators, and that’s really hurt us commercially. Our conference and events business has ground to a halt, so that’s hit us hard too.

“As the venue for the largest sporting event in the UK, the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, we need the infrastructure of suppliers that the UK events industry has, from portable toilets to crowd barriers, staging to temporary structures, as well as its skilled workforce that helps us to deliver this event and many others. Our flagship venue, the Wing, usually hosts a packed schedule of events, many using the services of a range of suppliers who are being affected by the continued closure of conference facilities. We hope that our participation today will help to raise awareness for the live events industry that is not currently able to return to work.”

The #LightItInRed initiative has co-ordinated impressive art installations and lighting projections, creating a powerful visual statement to build awareness for the plight of the events industry. The #WeMakeEvents global day of action, Stand As One, on 30 September, is a series of unforgettable events across the globe, with 27 countries taking part.

Lighting Silverstone red has drawn together leading industry specialists, all committed to showcasing their industry and highlighting its plight. Clearsound Productions provided all the fixtures, crew and main equipment for the various Silverstone illuminations. Robe UK supplied a range of high powered Robe LED luminaires, AE Hire assisted with generators and ancillary equipment, ARB provided LED screens and On-Point Logistics arranged transport for the equipment.