Kempton Park Racecourse to Go Metric This Summer

Aug. 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Kempton Park racecourse is set to become even more accessible to a new generation of racing fans as the course embraces measuring race distances in metrics rather than the traditional distance of furlongs. The furlong is a medieval unit of measurement which is not used in any other sport.

Britain’s racing industry is worth £10 billion and is expected to grow as Kempton and other race courses find new ways of bringing in a younger visitor to the racecourses. The racecourse has hosted several notable events this year, including the annual King George VI chase which has birthed legends such as five-time winner Kauto Star.

The organisation Racing For Change came up with the idea of using metrics in distances. They argued that imperial measurements confuse younger adults who are not familiar with the more archaic forms of measurement. They also said that the metric system could alienate potential international visitors.

Over 66,000 visitors from abroad are expected to arrive London during the Olympics season. Kempton are keen to welcome new fans from home and abroad and take advantage of sport’s boosted profile during summer 2012. One of Britain’s premier sporting personalities and ex-jockey Franki Dettori has commented that bringing in the metric system during the peak of the summer Olympic season will possibly bring in many more new racing fans.

Kempton continue to increase the profile of the sport by holding successful family day out events with a diverse range of events such as fun fairs, fancy dress and parties in their brand new bar named for celebrity racehorse Kauto Star.

The new metric measurements will be inaugurated in the second week of August and the changes will extend to the details of the jockey’s weigh-in room. Race cards will now carry the jockey’s details in both imperial and metric units. It is hoped that the double measurement markers will satisfy both older and younger racing fans. There are even plans to expand the double measurements to other racecourses if the trial at Kempton is successful.

Races happen at Kempton park on Monday the 6th of August, Tuesday the 7th of August and Wednesday the 8th of August. Advance adult tickets cost just £12.80 and children under 18 go free when accompanied by an adult. You can buy race tickets http://www.kempton.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline. Kempton is located just out of central London and is accessible via road and national rail.