Donington clears another hurdle
The reconstruction had halted at the circuit, scheduled to host the next 17 British grands prix, due to doubts about the financing plans and also legal action – now resolved – with the landowner.
But CEO Simon Gillett on Friday signed the council paperwork, namely a Section 106 agreement, green-lighting work to resume immediately.
"It's great to have cleared another hurdle and to see the hard work of the entire team at the circuit paying off," he confirmed in a statement.
"There's no denying that we still have a lot of hard work ahead but we'll continue to remain positive and do everything that we can to deliver against the promises that we have made," Gillett added.
Donington's F1 bid has been dogged by constant negative speculation, worsened last weekend when Bernie Ecclestone promised that if the track is not able to deliver, Silverstone will be back on the 2010 calendar.
At the same time Silverstone owner the BRDC's chairman Robert Brooks also doubted the financial viability of Gillett's plans — criticism now slammed as "nonsense" by ISG, Donington's external marketing representative.
"Without doubt, as paying customers, motorsport fans are ready for the same level of quality that fans of other leading sports have become accustomed to, and there is no reason that Donington Park cannot provide that," said ISG's chief executive Andrew Hampel.
06/26/09 Donington Park's grand prix aspirations took another step towards being realized today after the circuit's chief executive, Simon Gillett, signed a deal which paves the way for major redevelopment to begin.
A statement issued by Donington confirming the news revealed construction work would recommence immediately, with a new pit and paddock complex first to be tackled.
"It's great to have cleared another hurdle and to see the hard work of the entire team at the circuit paying off," said Gillett. "There's no denying that we still have a lot of hard work ahead but we'll continue to remain positive and do everything that we can to deliver against the promises that we have made.
"The construction work is obviously extremely important, but we're also trying hard to ensure that it doesn't compromise the experience that our visitors to forthcoming events have."
"It is nonsense to say that the Donington Park figures and debenture scheme does not stack up," said the ISG chief executive, Andrew Hampel. "Through IMG and Bastion, ISG has vast experience and we are world leaders in the area of stadium and arena marketing.
"Without doubt, as paying customers, motorsport fans are ready for the same level of quality that fans of other leading sports have become accustomed to, and there is no reason that Donington Park cannot provide that."