Donington gets green light for BSB

Added on Friday, May 1st, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Donington Park will host the third round of the British Superbike Championship after organisers were satisfied that building work at the circuit will be completed on time.

Concerns had been raised that a number of events, the British Superbike, World Superbike and MotoGP races would be affected by a number of reported troubles currently surrounding the circuit, which is currently undergoing a £100m development in preparation for the arrival of Formula One in 2010.

Earlier this month the circuits safety licence was withdrawn because of work to upgrade the circuit for F1, cancelling all events until mid-May, and the local council revealed that DVLL is yet to meet the conditions of its planning application.

The saga is the latest what has been a difficult month for Donington Park with the Wheatcroft family, owners of the circuit claiming £2.5m in unpaid rent from circuit promoters Donington Ventures Leisure Limited (DVLL).

The problems have raised significant doubts over the future of the British F1 Grand Prix after 2010 and earlier in the day, reports had surfaced that British Touring Car organisers had cancelled the round of their championship due to be held in the East Midlands. Those reports have since been quashed by BTCC organisers.

The confirmation of BSB, which is scheduled to take place on 23-25 May 2009, will also ease fears that headlining World Superbike Championship and MotoGP events would also be affected.

“We’re delighted that we have been able to reach an amicable agreement with MSVR to continue to host the third round of the 2009 British Superbike Championship in May,” said Donington Park circuit owner Simon Gillett. “Our main priority was not to let the fans down, so it’s satisfying to see our hard work behind the scenes paying off.”

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