Countdown to BTCC at Donington

Sun 10th May 2009 There has been plenty of uncertainty around the ongoing work at Donington Park in the past couple of months, but with just a week to go, the Leicestershire circuit is all set to host its rounds of the 2009 BTCC.

A track inspection at Donington on May 7th indicated four areas that needed rectification before racing could go ahead but these were completed overnight and the track was given the go-ahead to host this weekend’s Masters Classic event.

Circuit operators Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd (DVLL) are pressing ahead with construction work required to ready the track for the 2010 Formula One British Grand Prix. This work has led to a reduced run-off area beside the track, which had previously caused safety concerns with UK motorsport’s governing body, the MSA. However, Donington passed this week’s inspection and racing has resumed at the circuit.

Confirmation that the scheduled events can go ahead might just help ease financial concerns that have also hit DVLL. Circuit owner Tom Wheatcroft has launched legal action to recover ‘unpaid rent’. There has also been no news on the promised ‘debenture’ scheme that was set to bring much of the required funding for the track upgrade work.

However, speaking to the BBC on this weekend’s Spanish F1 GP coverage, DVLL chief Simon Gillett was confident that the ambitious project will meet its tight schedule.

“Headlines are always headlines, but there is a lot going on behind those that gives us the confidence”, said Gillett. “We had a way that we could allocate funds during a period of time over the winter; we’ve used them elsewhere, but we’re working with the Wheatcrofts to resolve that issue. You should see a resolution on that one very soon. The debenture scheme has gone forward as we thought. What’s changed is the wonderful world of banking at the moment. We had a bit of an issue with our prime funding source, but again we’re very positive on that.”

Donington Park hosts rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship next weekend (16/17 May).