Hungary MotoGP race ‘likely to be cancelled’

The Hungarian MotoGP race, scheduled to take place on September 20 at the new Balatongring, looks certain to be postponed.

Although there has been no official confirmation that the race will not go ahead, senior MotoGP officials told MCN during last week’s Sepang test that the race is ‘likely to be cancelled.’

• 2009 MotoGP calendar

Work on the new circuit, which was due to replace the Shanghai MotoGP in China, began last September. Inevitably though, the impact of the global economic crisis is starting to be felt, though specific reasons for the possible cancellation are unclear at this stage.

When plans were unveiled for the circuit, the project was going to cost £63m, with the circuit capable of holding close to 150,000 fans.

The loss of the Hungary round would reduce the calendar to 17 races, with no details yet of a possible replacement.

Some management wanted the race moved to the stunning new Portimao track in Portugal, but the date is way too close to the current Estoril GP on October 4.