Silverstone MotoGP event turns to EFX to make trophies in record time
Last weekend (10,11,12 June) MotoGP, the pinnacle of two-wheeled motorsport, returned to Silverstone with the AirAsia British Grand Prix 2011. Sixth in the series of 18 races, which started in Qatar in March and culminates in Valencia in November, the weekend delivered thrilling racing against the backdrop of the new £60 million Silverstone Wing building, which was officially opened 17th May. With just two weeks to go before the event, Special EFX was approached by Silverstone to design and make twelve bespoke trophies, in three sizes; the trophy design was to celebrate the architecture of the Wing.
It was the Australian Casey Stoner of Repsol Honda, who took first place at the Grand Prix on Sunday, by some 15 seconds, and then proceeded to do a 150mph standing wheelie, before collecting his coveted trophy. The trophy had remained a well-kept secret until the day. The Wing inspired design was made from solid aluminium in three different finishes and was much admired - through the rain!
The Populous designed Silverstone Wing, at the centre of the redevelopment of the Silverstone circuit, provides conferencing, media and hospitality suites and sits above 41 new pits. The dramatic, pitched 400m long roofline, which kicks up towards the sky over the new commentary boxes, is already being referred to as an iconic landmark and provided the inspiration for EFX’s Grand Prix trophy design.