F1 teams will no longer escape British customs
The UK Border Agency announces tighter customs controls for racing vehicles.
The Daily Telegraph indeed reports that last month customs allegedly seized 8 kilos of cocaine, 71 kilos of amphetamines, and over 100 kilos of cannabis during the inspection of a Kawasaki Racing Team truck involved in the World Superbike Championship. Customs agents also reportedly found a firearm and 35 rounds of ammunition.
« Two trucks were searched by agents from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) during their passage through Dover customs control. Quantities of category A drugs, class B medicines, and a firearm were discovered » reports the UKBA spokesperson. « Four men […], were arrested on suspicion of transporting illicit products and possession of a firearm. They were questioned and then released on bail. »
The British daily reports that these are four technicians from Paul Bird Motorsport, based in Morecambe. But this issue could have unfortunate consequences for all motorsports that have so far benefited from the leniency of British customs: “They were very rarely checked, and that is going to change,” says the spokesperson for the UK Border Agency. “Our intelligence services will now be looking more closely at competition vehicles […] even Formula One.”
Most of the Formula One teams have their bases in the United Kingdom, except for Ferrari, Sauber, Toro Rosso, and Hispania, which should make their task a bit more complicated as the European season opens with its constant back and forth between circuits and factories.
