Donington British Superbikes will go ahead - if track ruled safe

The Donington Park British Superbike round WILL go ahead, subject to safety measures being met.

A statement released to MCN on Thursday read:   

“Donington Park has today received firm confirmation and assurance from British Superbike Championship (BSB) organisers, MSVR, that the third round of the 2009 series will proceed at the circuit on Spring Bank Holiday weekend (23-25 May). Donington Ventures Leisure Limited (DVLL) has submitted a signed contract for the event and payment has been accepted by MSVR.”

MSVR responded today with the following statement to clarify its position, that the race will only take place if the relevant track licence is granted in time.

“On 28 April MSVR received Donington Park’s firm assurance that the necessary works required by the regulatory bodies to restore run-off between McLeans and Coppice were underway and would be completed by no later than 21 May.

“Jonathan Palmer wrote to Donington Park on 29 April, confirming MSVR’s position in the following terms: ‘Donington is a great circuit and an important part of the BSB calendar, so it will be very disappointing to everyone if the BSB event cannot take place.  I note your assurances in relation to the works to reinstate the run-off, and the letter from your contractors.  You proposed that MCRCB inspect the circuit on 15 May, and I must make clear our position that unless MCRCB is able to issue a track licence on that date or report to MSVR that it has absolute confidence that it will be able to do so in advance of the BSB round, we will withdraw the round from Donington Park. I hope that Donington is now on course to be able to host the excellent round of BSB that we expect. If Donington Park’s ability to host the round is called into doubt at any time, we will look to implement alternative arrangements.  For the moment, MSVR is pleased that Donington Park is finally taking positive and urgent steps towards resolving the concerns of its regulatory bodies, and very much hope that it will be able to deliver a successful round of the Championship in 3 weeks’ time.’ “

Doubt was cast over Donington Park’s ability to host the event when the circuit was unable to meet track licence obligations written into its 2009 BSB contract. Documentation stated that the licence had to be in place by April 29th.