Donington – 'Business as usual' in time for BTCC

Sat 25th April 2009 Donington Park has issued a statement saying that it expects ‘business as usual’ at the circuit by mid-May.

Ongoing construction work has seen a number of events postponed or cancelled in recent weeks, as the historic circuit prepares to host the Formula One British Grand Prix in 2009.

The 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship is due to head to Donington on 16/17 May. BTCC series Director Alan Gow has previously stated that he had received assurances from Donington that everything would be ready in time, which is echoed in this latest statement on the circuit’s website.

An aerial photograph recently featured in Autosport magazine showed the extent of works currently taking place to construct a new tunnel under the Donington track. The run-off area had been significantly reduced and a MG club meeting that ran earlier in the year did so with constant yellow flags on this section of the track.

The situation took a further twist recently, when it was revealed that circuit owner Tom Wheatcroft is suing tenant and event operator Simon Gillett over ‘unpaid rent’. Gillett’s company Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd acquired a 150-year lease of the circuit in January 2007.

The weekend before the BTCC meeting, Donington is scheduled to play host to the Masters Classic event.