More good news for UK with Donington Park boost

On the back of the news that the BBC will be showing extended coverage of MotoGP until 2009, British race fans received an added boost at the presentation press conference in London's Dominion Theatre on Tuesday with the announcement of a new six year agreement between Donington Park Leisure and Dorna Sports.

The deal will ensure that the British Motorcycle Grand Prix will be held at the Leicestershire venue until 2009, with Donington committed to a major £4.5 million redevelopment package as part of the agreement. Already the track has been completely resurfaced and run-off areas enlarged, with a new pit complex incorporating Race Control, Time Keeping Office and Media Room together with improved Paddock and Pit Garage facilities due to be completed within the next couple of years.

The works, just completed, involved removing the former surface and the old 'castlelated' kerbing from the full 2.5 mile Grand Prix circuit and then laying some 4000 tonnes of Delugrip material in such a way that there are only four construction joints in the entire surface.

The contractors worked to a high specification top surface, with a maximum tolerance of only 3mm over a three metre length, ensuring a flat-top for racing, and completed the full works on schedule within the 14 week contract period.

The contract also encompassed the provision of doubling the size of the run-off areas at Craner Curves and the Old Hairpin, to meet the requirements of the FIM track licence necessary to stage the British round of the World MotoGP Championship, and also the installation of over 850 metres of specially designed 'Vallelunga' kerbing at key locations around the circuit.

This kerbing, around each of the corners, is designed to meet the needs of the motorcycle racing authorities in being forgiving to any riders who fall and slide across it while also providing a deterrent to car racers.

Tickets are already on sale for this year's Cinzano British Motorcycle Grand Prix, which takes place on Sunday 25th July and features its busiest race schedule since Donington began hosting MotoGP back in 1987. As well as the MotoGP, 250 and 125 races, there will also be the first ever British round of the BMW Boxer Cup, as well as the Supersport International Race of Champions.

The traditional Day of Champions, which raises money for the Riders for Health charity, takes place on Thursday 22nd July.