Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
<span style="color:#FF0000Donington Park has confirmed that it is to hold further discussions with the FIA as plans to continue hosting national and international racing during the course of the earthworks designed to bring the circuit up to Formula One standard appeared to be heading for trouble.
Amid rumours that the four major safety licences that it requires to stage meetings had been suspended, the circuit has revealed that it is to maintain a dialogue with the FIA - which would grant the necessary licence for next year's Formula One return - after the Easter break. A planned inspection by the international governing body, due for last week, did not take place
After a last-minute temporary licence was issued by the Motor Sport Association for the national-level MG Car Club and Historic Sports Car Club meetings last weekend, a permanent 'no passing zone' established under yellow flags between McLeans and Coppice - and later extended to include preceding corners as well - meant that 'racing' was badly affected, and led to criticism of both the circuit and the MSA for even allowing the events to go ahead.
The problem area at present surrounds the work to create a new access tunnel under the track between the McLeans and Coppice, which has led to much reduced run-off, with only slim earth banks and rows of tyres protecting the excavations, and extending out towards the track, leaving little room for error. Although the MSA acted in order to protect last weekend's meeting and, principally, the clubs involved in organising it, it is now understood that further off-track developments, including the cancellation of a proposed FIA safety inspection, could place all future racing in jeopardy this season.
Several organisers have already taken the decision to cancel events pencilled in for Donington, including both MotorsportVision, which was to have staged the opening round of this year's Formula Palmer Audi championship there this coming weekend [18-19 April], and Britcar, which took early action to switch its early May round to Rockingham.
"Following widely publicised concerns regarding recent development work at the circuit, MSVR requested assurances from Donington that all necessary works for the venue to receive a valid track licence from the governing body of motorsport in the UK, the MSA, would be completed ahead of the MSVR 'Blast in the Park' event, which includes the opening rounds of the FPA Championship," a MotorsportVision statement explained.
"Mindful of the importance of competitors' planning and arrangements, Donington Park was given a deadline of 1pm [9 April] to address these concerns. However, MSVR received no communication from the circuit. A spokesman for the MSA has also confirmed that they will not issue the circuit with a track licence until the circuit has been inspected and fully complies with MSA regulations. Accordingly, MSVR has been left with no alternative but to cancel the event in order to give the competitors, marshals and officials as much notice as reasonably possible.
"It is quite unsatisfactory and particularly unacceptable that we have received no communication from the circuit on the matter. We are currently in discussions with all our series and championship co-ordinators to arrange alternative dates and venues, and these will be confirmed at the earliest opportunity."
Doubt now surrounds the British F3/GT double-header and British Touring Car Championship events due at Donington on 25-26 April and 16-17 May respectively, although neither organiser has yet taken the decision to move elsewhere.
From what I hear, there is virtually no run off left at McLeans, IMO one of the trickiest on the circuit and which is notorious for lowsides. BSB is scheduled to run next month, WSB in June and of course Moto GP in July. In the unlikely event of cancellations, could they switch venues for such large events? Track officials maintain there is not a problem:
<span style="color:#FF0000"There are two separate issues relating to cars and bikes using the circuit," a Donington spokesperson told Crash.net, "With the bikes, it is the run-off on the outside of the section between McLeans and Coppice and, with cars, to the inside of the same area.
"There is no specific update on what has already been reported to this point, but I can confirm that talks are planned for the next week. The works needed for bike racing to proceed is minimal and we are confident that that can go ahead. With the cars, there are plans in place for the architect to visit the circuit and discuss what can be done but, obviously, nothing has happened over the Easter weekend.
So they insist that it is minimal work outfield, burying the hole, but so far all the circuit owners seem to be burying is their collective heads in the sand. This smacks of another Great British .... up.
Amid rumours that the four major safety licences that it requires to stage meetings had been suspended, the circuit has revealed that it is to maintain a dialogue with the FIA - which would grant the necessary licence for next year's Formula One return - after the Easter break. A planned inspection by the international governing body, due for last week, did not take place
After a last-minute temporary licence was issued by the Motor Sport Association for the national-level MG Car Club and Historic Sports Car Club meetings last weekend, a permanent 'no passing zone' established under yellow flags between McLeans and Coppice - and later extended to include preceding corners as well - meant that 'racing' was badly affected, and led to criticism of both the circuit and the MSA for even allowing the events to go ahead.
The problem area at present surrounds the work to create a new access tunnel under the track between the McLeans and Coppice, which has led to much reduced run-off, with only slim earth banks and rows of tyres protecting the excavations, and extending out towards the track, leaving little room for error. Although the MSA acted in order to protect last weekend's meeting and, principally, the clubs involved in organising it, it is now understood that further off-track developments, including the cancellation of a proposed FIA safety inspection, could place all future racing in jeopardy this season.
Several organisers have already taken the decision to cancel events pencilled in for Donington, including both MotorsportVision, which was to have staged the opening round of this year's Formula Palmer Audi championship there this coming weekend [18-19 April], and Britcar, which took early action to switch its early May round to Rockingham.
"Following widely publicised concerns regarding recent development work at the circuit, MSVR requested assurances from Donington that all necessary works for the venue to receive a valid track licence from the governing body of motorsport in the UK, the MSA, would be completed ahead of the MSVR 'Blast in the Park' event, which includes the opening rounds of the FPA Championship," a MotorsportVision statement explained.
"Mindful of the importance of competitors' planning and arrangements, Donington Park was given a deadline of 1pm [9 April] to address these concerns. However, MSVR received no communication from the circuit. A spokesman for the MSA has also confirmed that they will not issue the circuit with a track licence until the circuit has been inspected and fully complies with MSA regulations. Accordingly, MSVR has been left with no alternative but to cancel the event in order to give the competitors, marshals and officials as much notice as reasonably possible.
"It is quite unsatisfactory and particularly unacceptable that we have received no communication from the circuit on the matter. We are currently in discussions with all our series and championship co-ordinators to arrange alternative dates and venues, and these will be confirmed at the earliest opportunity."
Doubt now surrounds the British F3/GT double-header and British Touring Car Championship events due at Donington on 25-26 April and 16-17 May respectively, although neither organiser has yet taken the decision to move elsewhere.
From what I hear, there is virtually no run off left at McLeans, IMO one of the trickiest on the circuit and which is notorious for lowsides. BSB is scheduled to run next month, WSB in June and of course Moto GP in July. In the unlikely event of cancellations, could they switch venues for such large events? Track officials maintain there is not a problem:
<span style="color:#FF0000"There are two separate issues relating to cars and bikes using the circuit," a Donington spokesperson told Crash.net, "With the bikes, it is the run-off on the outside of the section between McLeans and Coppice and, with cars, to the inside of the same area.
"There is no specific update on what has already been reported to this point, but I can confirm that talks are planned for the next week. The works needed for bike racing to proceed is minimal and we are confident that that can go ahead. With the cars, there are plans in place for the architect to visit the circuit and discuss what can be done but, obviously, nothing has happened over the Easter weekend.
So they insist that it is minimal work outfield, burying the hole, but so far all the circuit owners seem to be burying is their collective heads in the sand. This smacks of another Great British .... up.
