The rapidly growing UK motorsport industry could have the brakes put on it by EU legislation limiting the working hours of its workforce, according to a Government-backed study.
Research undertaken jointly by Birmingham and Newcastle universities and Henley and Cranfield management colleges, highlighted the EU Working Time directive as a potential problem for the industry.
The interim findings of the study, which was backed by the DTI, were revealed at Auto-sport International, the UK motor racing industry’s showcase event.
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The study stated, “The implications of the EU directive on the number of hours in the working week has particular implications for an industry that works to deadlines, with highly specialised labour which is very difficult to increase or substitute.”
Chris Aylett, chief executive of the Motorsport Industry Association, said it would be very difficult for high-tech motor racing companies to comply with the EU Working Time directive without results suffering.
