prodrive

{{Infobox company

| name = Prodrive

| logo = Prodrive-Logo.svg

| type = Private

| foundation = 1984

| location = Banbury, England

| key_people = David Richards (founder and chairman)

| industry = Motorsport
Advanced Technology

| products =

| homepage = [http://www.prodrive.com Prodrive.com]

}}

Prodrive is an English motorsport and advanced engineering group based in Banbury,

Oxfordshire.

History

File:Vehicle Proving ground entrance - geograph.org.uk - 43564.jpg

Prodrive was founded in 1984 by Ian Parry and David Richards.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Prodrive sold its 51% stake in Ford Performance Vehicles to Ford Australia in 2012. Prodrive also founded Ford Performance Racing in 2003, entering the V8 Supercar series in Australia after purchasing Glenn Seton Racing. This was sold in January 2013.[http://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorsport/v8-team-fpr-sold-to-melbournebased-pair-20130104-2c90e.html V8 team FPR sold to Melbourne-based pair] Sydney Morning Herald 5 January 2013

Motorsport activities

=Formula One=

File:Villeneuve BAR USGP 2003.jpg driving for the then Prodrive-run BAR team at the US Grand Prix at Indianapolis in 2003]]

On 28 April 2006, Prodrive were officially granted entry to F1 when the FIA announced the list of entrants to the 2008 Formula One World Championship.{{cite web| title=2008 FIA Formula One World Championship Entry List| url=http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press_Releases/FIA_Sport/2006/April/280406-02.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622161822/http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press_Releases/FIA_Sport/2006/April/280406-02.html| archive-date=22 June 2007| df=dmy-all}} It was announced on 23 November 2007 that Prodrive F1 would not compete in the {{f1|2008}}, as the legal situation left no time for the team to be set up for the start of the season.{{Cite web |url=http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/071122152528.shtml |title=F1-Live - Prodrive no-go for 2008 |access-date=23 November 2007 |archive-date=19 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319093703/http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/071122152528.shtml |url-status=live }}

On 23 April 2009, Prodrive issued a press release stating that they were considering an F1 entry for the 2010 season, possibly under the Aston Martin Racing brand.{{cite web| title=2008 Prodrive Press Release| url=http://www.prodrive.com/p_releases.html?id=228| access-date=24 April 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503223253/http://www.prodrive.com/p_releases.html?id=228| archive-date=3 May 2009| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8014273.stm|title=Richards keen on Formula 1 return|date=23 April 2009|access-date=6 April 2018|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} On 29 May 2009, it was reported that Prodrive had submitted a formal application for the 2010 season. However, Prodrive was not accepted to the final grid. Prodrive was one of two potential buyers considered by the Renault F1 Team to take-over the team prior to the 2010 season.{{cite news| title=Renault considering rival bids for team| url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80434 | work=Autosport}} In April 2010 Prodrive announced it would not apply for the 2011 Formula One season. The slot became available after US F1 Team collapsed.{{cite news| url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82877 | title=Prodrive rules out entering F1 in 2011| work=Autosport}}

Facilities

Prodrive had a facility at the former RAF Honiley airfield and LucasVarity proving ground near Wroxall, Warwickshire, together with Marcos and TRW.[http://www.kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=698&ArticleID=1401259 Protest against Formula One plans]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk - 24 March 2006

In March 2006, Prodrive announced its intent to build a £200million, {{convert|200|acre|km2|1|adj=on}} motorsport facility called "The Fulcrum".[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/4763590.stm New Formula One plans unveiled] BBC News - 1 March 2006[http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35115 Prodrive plans £200m F1 facility] {{webarchive|url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20060304095631/http%3A//www.itv%2Df1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID%3D35115 |date=4 March 2006 }} itv-f1.com - 13 March 2006

As of 3 August 2006, Prodrive has won the support of the Warwick District Council planning committee for development of The Fulcrum.[http://www.kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=698&ArticleID=1672236 Prodrive development approved]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk - 3 August 2006 The permission covers a highly advanced engineering research and development campus, a conference facility called the Catalyst Centre and new access road, a roundabout, infrastructure, parking and landscaping. The plans still have to be presented and agreed by the British government's Department for Communities and Local Government. There is local opposition against Prodrive's plans via the Fulcrum Prodrive Action Group (FPAG) to protect the rural nature of the community and the safety of the people that live within it.

In 2014 the site was sold to Jaguar Land Rover.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

References

=Other sources=

Cropley, S (9 November 2004). Beauty and the beast. Autocar pp. 44–51.
Cropley, S (30 November 2004). Out, but not down. Autocar pp. 72–73.

External links

[http://www.prodrive.com/ Prodrive's website]
[http://www.swrt.com/ Subaru World Rally Team Homepage]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110629224539/http://www.astonmartinracing.com/ Aston Martin Racing Homepage]
[http://www.americanlemansseries.com/ American Le Mans Series Homepage]

Category:Auto parts suppliers of the United Kingdom

Category:Automotive motorsports and performance companies

Category:Companies based in Banbury

Category:Companies established in 1984

Category:British auto racing teams

Category:World Rally Championship teams

Category:24 Hours of Le Mans teams

Category:FIA GT Championship teams

Category:British Touring Car Championship teams

Category:Apax Partners companies

Category:Car manufacturers of the United Kingdom

Category:Car brands