Donington calls off MotoGP race deal

The planned Welsh venue won a multi-year contract with MotoGP promoter Dorna last year but arranged for Donington to host the 2015 event as construction of the proposed £300million Blaneau Gwent track has yet to be approved.

A statement issued by Donington Park Racing Limited (DPRL) has announced that the planned August 30 event cannot take place because the CoW company has been unable to "meet long-planned payment deadlines".

It continued: "The situation at 10th February 2015 is very clear. Despite DPRL's best efforts, the time lost with CoW being unable to complete the funding arrangements has resulted in delays in almost all of the event's critically important operational plans, from track works to equipment hire.

"Therefore, in the judgment of the Board of DPRL, this current position could jeopardise the safe and successful running of the 2015 British MotoGP at Donington to such an extent, that both the commercial risks and the lack of time are now too great to allow Donington to proceed.

"Therefore Donington Park must withdraw from any further participation."

Donington, which is in the process of completing a £1million upgrade of its track and facilities, insists that spectators who have already purchased tickets via the circuit and its official agency will be fully refunded in the next two weeks.

"The position we are now in is of course frustrating and uncomfortable for all concerned," said Donington managing director Christopher Tate as part of the statement.

"We have our overall business, our staff and their futures to consider as well as our concerns for the fans.

"We have rebuilt so much of this facility and its global reputation in the years since 2010 under new ownership and management, and we are not going to risk all that nor risk affecting the quality of the MotoGP fans' experience - looking after the fans is at the heart of what Donington does.

"It is this week, way past any normal deadlines, when we - in partnership with CoW - would have been committing to major expenditures.

"CoW have made it clear to us that they are not now in a position to complete, so we have to withdraw and end the planned arrangement."

The Circuit of Wales project has had a turbulent existence despite securing the five-year deal with Dorna, with several planning delays pushing back construction originally slated for late 2013.

Last month it was announced that a public inquiry into the facility would be held in March, casting fresh doubt over whether the circuit would even be ready for the 2016 MotoGP round.

A statement from the Circuit of Wales is expected later on Tuesday, but Donington refused to comment on any future deal, claiming that "any announcement on a replacement MotoGP race or about any future UK dates are now a matter solely for CoW and Dorna".