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Fuel shortage – BTCC show must go on

The deciding rounds of the British Touring Car Championship will go ahead this weekend at Silverstone, as well as the Goodwood Revival meeting despite impending chaos from a national fuel shortage

There were fears that the weekend's motorsport action could be affected by the petrol crisis which has beset the country since truckers began blockading fuel refineries at the weekend.

BTCC series organiser TOCA and Silverstone Circuits Ltd have confirmed today (Thursday) that Saturday's season-ending double-header under the lights event will go ahead.

"On behalf of the BRDC, Silverstone and TOCA, the event is still going ahead," said a spokeswoman. "There could be problems with some competitors finding enough fuel to actually get to the track, but there's enough fuel for the full race programme."

Representatives for Silverstone have given assurances that the filling station within the circuit is well stocked and there is enough petrol for all the teams, ambulances and safety vehicles.

Spectators, however, are faced with a bigger potential problem as they attempt to travel to the race. Although the majority of blockades at fuel depots around the country have now stopped, 80 per cent of filling stations still remain closed. The Silverstone crowds could be seriously diminished.

As things stand, those who are unable to travel cannot expect to receive any kind of refund on their tickets.

"It's out of our control," said a Silverstone spokeswoman, "but as the event is still going ahead we cannot refund the ticket price to those unable to attend."

The fuel shortage could also present problems for fans travelling to the Goodwood Revival meeting by car but organisers have taken precautionary measures. Extra public transport services have been organised, with free Goodwood bus services and two 50-seater coaches running shuttle services from Chichester station.

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