...MSA agree new plans!

One week to go to live race action! - Fri 1st May 09 - 16:57

Donington Park has today quashed doubt surrounding the forthcoming Masters Historic Racing and HiQ MSA BritishTouring Car Championship (BTCC) events at the circuit following an agreement with the Motor Sports Association (MSA) last night.

Following weeks of dialogue with the MSA – the UK’s governing body of motorsport – plans, supported by drawings, for the run-off area between McLeans and Coppice were last night agreed. MSA Technical Director John Symes will formally inspect the track at Leicestershire’s parkland circuit on Thursday 7 May to ensure that it is in accordance with agreed plans. His purpose will be to grant the track licence for that weekend’s Masters Historic Racing Classic and the subsequent weekend’s premier motor racing event, BTCC.

The agreement is a further signal of circuit owner Simon Gillett and his team’s commitment to UK race fans and the British motorsport industry. “In all of the decisions that we have had to make about these events, we have always put the fans and competitors at the heart of them, because it is to them that we have a duty first and foremost,” said Gillett. “I understand that seeds of doubt may have started to set in among fans and competitors as a result of our silence to date, but we are not in the business of raising false hopes and we are only happy to speak publicly about agreed facts.

However, it’s disappointing that race fans were being given the impression that Donington Park is putting British motorsport in jeopardy, because nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, we are bending over backwards to ensure that safe racing is on track at Donington Park as quickly as possible.

“That has meant additional work and costs on our part, and our contractors Amphion are working 24 hours a day to ensure that race fans will once again witness live, thrilling action next weekend with the Masters Historic Racing event. Our main concern is the future and in ensuring that our forthcoming events in May are a huge success for all involved. We have ongoing communication with the directors of both car race series that will host events at Donington Park in May and we are all working positively together for the benefit of the fans and competitors.”

Christopher Tate, Director of Masters Historic Racing said: “With drivers and fans coming from all over UK and Europe to race and spectate at this, the third annual Masters event at Donington, we are just delighted that Simon and his team, working with our governing body at MSA, have come up with these solutions. It is very much appreciated by all of us. Next weekend, we are also raising funds for a great cause, “Help for Heroes”, and will admit free HM Forces personnel enjoying their first sight of historic racing, so this news is excellent in every way.”

BTCC Series Director Alan Gow added: “The Donington team have worked long and hard to get the circuit prepared for our race event on 17 May and we thank them for their tireless efforts. Looking ahead to the BTCC’s visit there in just over a fortnight, I believe the crowds are in for one of the most exhilarating fixtures of the BTCC calendar. We’ve had six different winners from our first six races of 2009 and Donington always delivers some of the most exciting and best-viewed action of the season. Our teams, drivers and sponsors go there fully intending to put on the very best show possible and to give the race day public an event to savour.”