Editing Prodrive

{{Short description|British motorsport corporation}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox company
| name  = Prodrive
| logo  = Prodrive-Logo.svg
| type  = [[Private company limited by shares|Private]]
| foundation    = 1984
| location      = [[Banbury]], [[England]]
| key_people    = [[David Richards (motorsport executive)|David Richards]] ''(founder and chairman)''
| industry      = [[Motorsport]]<br>Advanced Technology
| products      = 
| homepage      = [http://www.prodrive.com Prodrive.com]
}}

'''Prodrive''' is an [[England|English]] [[motorsport]] and advanced engineering group based in [[Banbury]], 
[[Oxfordshire]].

==History==
[[File:Vehicle Proving ground entrance - geograph.org.uk - 43564.jpg|thumb|right|Proving ground in Warwickshire]]
Prodrive was founded in 1984 by Ian Parry and [[David Richards (motorsport executive)|David Richards]].{{cn|date=May 2024}}  

Prodrive sold its 51% stake in [[Ford Performance Vehicles]] to [[Ford Australia]] in 2012. Prodrive also founded [[Tickford Racing|Ford Performance Racing]] in 2003, entering the [[V8 Supercar]] series in Australia after purchasing [[Glenn Seton Racing]]. This was sold in January 2013.<ref>[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</ref>

==Motorsport activities==

===Formula One===
[[File:Villeneuve BAR USGP 2003.jpg|thumb|[[Jacques Villeneuve]] driving for the then Prodrive-run BAR team at the [[United States Grand Prix|US Grand Prix]] at [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway|Indianapolis]] in 2003]]

On 28 April 2006, Prodrive were officially granted entry to [[Formula One|F1]] when the [[FIA]] announced the list of entrants to the [[2008 Formula One season|2008 Formula One World Championship]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

On 23 April 2009, Prodrive issued a press release stating that they were considering an F1 entry for the [[2010 Formula One season|2010]] season, possibly under the [[Aston Martin Racing]] brand.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>  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|Renault F1 Team]] to take-over the team prior to the 2010 season.<ref>{{cite news|  title=Renault considering rival bids for team| url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80434 | work=Autosport}}</ref>  In April 2010 Prodrive announced it would not apply for the 2011 Formula One season. The slot became available after [[US F1 Team]] collapsed.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82877 | title=Prodrive rules out entering F1 in 2011| work=Autosport}}</ref>

==Facilities==
Prodrive had a facility at the former [[RAF Honiley]] airfield and [[LucasVarity]] proving ground near [[Wroxall, Warwickshire]], together with [[Marcos (automobile)|Marcos]] and [[TRW Automotive|TRW]].<ref name="Protest">[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</ref>

In March 2006, Prodrive announced its intent to build a £200million, {{convert|200|acre|km2|1|adj=on}} motorsport facility called "The Fulcrum".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/4763590.stm New Formula One plans unveiled] BBC News - 1 March 2006</ref><ref>[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</ref>

As of 3 August 2006, Prodrive has won the support of the [[Warwick (district)|Warwick District Council]] planning committee for development of The Fulcrum.<ref>[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</ref> 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.<ref name="Protest"/>

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

==See also==
* [[Aston Martin Racing]]
* [[Prodrive P2]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Other sources===
*Cropley, S (9 November 2004). Beauty and the beast. ''Autocar'' pp.&nbsp;44–51.
*Cropley, S (30 November 2004). Out, but not down. ''Autocar'' pp.&nbsp;72–73.

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[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]

{{Automotive industry in the United Kingdom}}

[[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]]
[[Category:Global RallyCross Championship teams]]
[[Category:British racecar constructors]]
[[Category:Intercontinental Rally Challenge teams]]
[[Category:European Rally Championship teams]]
[[Category:Dakar rally racing teams]]
[[Category:British GT Championship teams]]
[[Category:American Le Mans Series teams]]