So a circuit that doesn't exist just signed a five year deal with Dorna to host the British round of MotoGP from 2015 onwards......wtf BBC News - Circuit of Wales, Ebbw Vale: MotoGP for circuit
While the collaboration will begin in 2015, next year's MotoGP 'could be staged at an alternative British venue'. The Circuit of Wales then expects to be ready for a 2016 grand prix debut. Perhaps they could run the 2015 event at Pembrey? MotoGP News - British MotoGP moves to Circuit of Wales!
It's not. This is a folly built by European money. Blaenau Gwent are presently raping Europe for money for stupid projects.
Looks like its been modelled on the very successful Donnington plan to me. When they say they'll be ready for a GP in 2016 I think they mean moto cross. As said already Silverstone have to charge stupid prices to make any money so how the hell is a non existent circuit going to do it?
Press release from Silverstone .... Silverstone disappointed not to extend MotoGP contract Having invested heavily in its circuit and facilities, specifically to host the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship alongside Formula 1®, and developed the British round of the series into a highly successful event, Silverstone is disappointed not to be extending its MotoGP™ contract with Dorna. Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, said: “We have expressed our desire to keep MotoGP™ at Silverstone, but the event is not sustainable at the fee level Dorna was proposing. Any future deal had to make economic sense and sadly we reached an impasse. The Circuit of Wales obviously believes it can make the finances work.” Looking at the immediate future for the British Grand Prix, Phillips added, “Should the Circuit of Wales project be successful, it is unlikely that it will be ready before 2017. A venue for 2015 needs to be agreed as soon as possible to avoid having a negative impact on the success of next year’s British Grand Prix. Silverstone remains the ideal venue to stage MotoGP™; last year’s record crowds are testament to the excellent British Grand Prix experience provided by Silverstone.”
Well, being Taffy and all I hope it DOES work out well. They're going to need a lot of full wets though!
Reading between the lines, Dorna have awarded the contract, so now it's the circuit owners' responsibility to host the race or find a suitable venue for it. That could be good news for Donington, if only for one year.
How long did it take to make the COTA? Okay the weather was probably better for building, but yeah, i'd be amazed if this is made in time. The chaps at Silverstone don't think it will be ready either. Personally, I'd love to see Marquez give Paddock Hill bend a go whilst racing at the GP circuit
Fantastic news for south Wales. While the project has had a few setbacks the talk in the construction industry is that it will be starting very soon. The heads of the valleys road improvement scheme will be finished around the same time as well. Alun Griffiths and FCC are gearing up like crazy for the job, the muckshift should start in the next couple of months if all goes to plan. I think I will be putting my CV in to them, it's not every day you get a chance to work on a project like that!
