Valencia chief apologizes to unhappy spectators

(GMM) Valencia race organizers have apologized to spectators whose grandstand offered no view of the Spanish street circuit at last weekend's European grand prix.

We reported at the inaugural event that hundreds of paying spectators on Saturday complained to organizers Valmor Sports that their seats offered an inadequate view of the action.

The president of organizer Valmor Sports, Jorge Martinez Aspar, said he wants to "apologize to those spectators who have had visibility problems" at the race.

He suggested that they will be compensated.

Aspar also confirmed reports that the race, with a maximum capacity of 112,000 seats, did not quite sell out.

He said other "small matters", including installing better curbs, will be addressed before the next grand prix at Valencia in August 2009.

"It is obvious that for next year we want to improve over this year, but we are still very satisfied," Aspar insisted.