Jack Giordmaina reports on the exhibition centre’s chances of hosting the London ePrix
The ExCel Exhibition Centre is ready to pounce if Wandsworth Council decide not to host a Formula E race next season.
The south London authority are set to make their decision tomorrow evening on whether they will again stage the fully electric single-seater championship at Battersea Park. The staging of the race at the park last summer led to complaints from local residents.
The council was due to make a decision at the beginning of October, but following a survey of local opinion which generated a big response, Wandsworth said they needed more time to analyse the results.
Councillor Jonathan Cook, Community services spokesman for Wandsworth said on the council website: “Many local people were unhappy that the park was used to stage these races and felt that the disruption and inconvenience it caused were simply too much.
“They had a firmly and genuinely held view that the park was the wrong place for this kind of event.”
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The council has until December to make a final decision on the event, but ExCel are ready to step in and stage the race.
A spokesperson for the ExCel said they are hopeful that the major East London venue can become the long-term home of the London ePrix:
“We would be delighted to host the Formula E races for next and future years. Should the opportunity arise then I am confident we would be able to accommodate the entire event for as many years as the organisers wished.
“The television, spectator and general experience would be paramount and all the stakeholders in and around ExCeL would welcome the event.”
With major transport improvements underway, ExCel believe they will be suitable hosts for the first ever fully electric championship
“Excel is a purpose built world class venue that hosts four million visitors and hundreds of events each year. Crossrail is around the corner which will take passengers direct through London from Heathrow to Excel.”
Next season’s London ePrix will take place on the 2nd and 3rd of July 2016.