SAFETY improvements to Kent's Brands Hatch circuit are continuing ahead of the 2005 motor racing season with new run-off areas being built at two corners on the 1.2-mile Indy circuit.

The barriers at the exit of the Druids hairpin and the exit of Graham Hill Bend are being moved back from the asphalt to allow more space should cars or bikes go off the track at those points.

This should see a decrease in the number of vehicles being damaged by accidents as it will be less likely that they will hit the barriers. It should also minimise the likelihood of injury to the rider or driver.

The work currently being carried out is not required for the FIA Grade 2 licence application which Brands Hatch owner MotorSport Vision is currently making. The developments would have been instigated by MotorSport Vision anyway in order to improve safety at the circuit.

Meanwhile, the Grade 2 licence is needed for the A1 GP world debut at the circuit on September 25 this year, and the developments necessary all concern areas of the GP circuit.

Improvements to the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, on which the A1 GP single-seater races will run, will take place in the next few months. These include minor works at Hawthorns bend and a realignment of Westfield in order to provide more run-off on the exit of the bend.