Heikki Kovalainen

Reemz27

Quote:

The sign-off for Donington Park’s redevelopment plan has been delayed by its local district council – raising fresh doubts about the venue's readiness to stage the British Grand Prix in 2010.

Donington won the contract to host Britain's GP from Silverstone earlier this year when Bernie Ecclestone signed a surprise 10-year deal with the Leicestershire circuit.

The owners are planning a £38 million redevelopment scheme to get the facility up to Formula 1 standards by 2010, including a new pit and paddock complex and an extension of the track itself.

Planning approval was expected this month, but North West Leicestershire District Council has postponed its decision until 27 January in order to carry out a full environmental impact assessment.

It means organisers will have just 14 months to complete work on the circuit before their self-imposed deadline of 1 April 2010.

Nevertheless, they remain confident that the construction work will be completed on schedule.

"There is no question that Donington's ability to stage the race will be jeopardised by this delay to the planning procedure," a spokesman told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

"As soon as permission is granted construction work will begin."

Ecclestone has made it clear that Britain's race will simply be taken off the 2010 calendar if Donington cannot satisfy the FIA that it will be ready in time.

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Lady · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject:

bloody typical.

MiniMarshmallow · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

It was obvious something was going to happen.

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Mini: 'How dare you go out when Monaco is on?!'
Ash: 'I need a car...'
Mini: 'Yeah, well, so does Hamilton Smile

'

Reemz27

Quote:

Donington Park is aiming to make the 2010 British Grand Prix a 'car-free' event, with the crowd arriving entirely by public transport.

The circuit's chief executive Simon Gillett says the track will arrange bus links from nearly towns and cities, and encourage fans to fly into the nearby East Midlands Airport or use the new East Midlands Parkway railway station that is set to open next year.

"This will be the first public transport grand prix," Gillett told the Nottingham Evening Post.

"We are not bringing cars here.

"We are looking to use public transport from all the major conurbations, the airport and the Parkway station."

Critics of the British GP's move to Donington had cited potential traffic and access problems, due to the small number of approach roads and the proximity of the busy airport, as one of the track's shortcomings.

Silverstone famously had to ask all fans to arrive by public transport for the 2000 British GP qualifying day, after heavy rain left the car parks unfit for use, although some areas were able to reopen for race day.

Gillett also insisted that Donington's massive revamp was still on course, despite a recent planning delay.

"We are still on schedule for our construction programme," he said.

"We will have a nine-month construction programme in an 18-month window.

"We have got the time and we have got the money.

"It is going to be the world's best circuit."

As well as bringing the existing sections of the Donington track up to modern Formula 1 standards, the rebuild will see a new infield loop added, as well as new pit, paddock, hospitality and media facilities.
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=44674

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Reemz27

Quote:

Organisers of the 2010 British Grand Prix at Donington are looking to limit the level of air traffic flying in and out of the nearby East Midlands Airport on race day.

The race circuit is located just half a mile west of the airport and the circuit chiefs are hoping to use the airport exclusively for Formula 1 traffic at certain times.

Donington boss Simon Gillett said he is working with the airport to come to some kind of agreement over its use during the race weekend.

“We are working with them to ensure we minimise their traffic,” Gillett told the Loughborough Echo.

“We don’t necessarily have to fully close them, but we are thinking when the race is on, no one is going to be flying in or out.

“The idea is that at peak times the airport has exclusive use for Formula 1 and us.

“We’re looking to charter a lot of planes anyway.

“We would bring people in ourselves from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester, London, France, Belgium, Germany, all over Europe.”

However, a spokeswoman for East Midlands Airport said that the closing of the airport had not been mentioned during talks over the 2010 event.

“We are holding discussions with Donington Park as part of a multi-agency group,” she said.

“These are ongoing discussions, but closing the airport hasn’t been raised in these meetings.”
http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=44819

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Lady · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

This is lovely - all VIPs will arrive by air, while the rest of us mortals will have to sit in traffic for hours Evil or Very Mad

Just for once British track is close to the airport and that will access will be limited too!! GRRR!!