Donington Park to host 2015 MotoGP British Grand Prix
Donington Park will host the MotoGP British Grand Prix in 2015 after agreeing a deal with the Circuit of Wales to take the race for one season
The new Welsh venue took the British GP slot , and it was immediately revealed that a replacement track would be required for 2015 while work begins on the Circuit of Wales.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of MotoGP promoter Dorna said: "The Circuit of Wales has worked very quickly to secure the best deal for British race fans and we believe Donington Park will deliver a fantastic race in 2015.
"Donington has a long history and has been the scene of some of the most exciting MotoGP races in recent years and we are sure that the extensive works undertaken since it reopened four years ago will guarantee a successful event."
Chris Herring, a director of the development company behind the Circuit of Wales, added: "After announcing the long-term MotoGP agreement three weeks ago our priority has been to agree the venue for 2015.
"It is in the interests of everyone, especially the fans, to make a decision as soon as possible and in Donington Park we have a venue that shares our vision for growing MotoGP in the UK."
Silverstone managing director Richard Philips confirmed they were unwilling to extend their contract with Dorna by another year having reached a stalemate over hosting fees.
"We wanted to keep MotoGP at Silverstone, but cannot afford to subsidise it," he said.
"Any future deal, with Dorna or The Circuit of Wales, had to make economic sense for all parties, including us.
"We made what we considered to be the maximum sensible offer to retain the event at Silverstone, but it seems that The Circuit of Wales, who have no experience of running a Grand Prix, have concluded they can do better running it themselves, using Donington until their circuit is ready."
The Circuit of Wales' MotoGP deal will run until 2019, with an option for a further five years once that has expired.
Donington last hosted the British Grand Prix in 2008, before losing the race to Silverstone, which hosted the final event of its MotoGP deal last weekend.
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