BRDC members reject Foulston offer

BHL chief executive Foulston, whose company already owns the Kent circuit, sent BRDC members voting cards, enabling them to indicate whether they were in favour of BHL buying up the circuit.

However, just 272 responses out of a possible 832 were returned to independent registrars IRG, which arranged the vote.

BRDC president, Lord Hesketh has led the opposition against Foulston's £43 million bid for the circuit, urging members to forsake a windfall of up to £60,000 each if the bid was successful.

Of the 272 cards received from the BRDC, 190 members indicated they were in favour of the proposal.

Foulston said afterwards, 'In view of the attached result we will not be approaching the BRDC Board to enter into discussions.

'In signing the British GP contract from 2002 we have already secured significant additional revenue streams for the Group and we have bigger fish to fry, particularly the pursuit of our first overseas project which we expect to finalise by Christmas 1999.

'Last week's submission of a detailed planning application with environmental assessment for specific works to be carried out at Brands Hatch in respect of the 2002 Grand Prix took place following four months of intensive work.

'We remain totally focused on this application.'

BHL now faces the task of upgrading its Brands Hatch circuit to satisfy the FIA it will be able to host the British Grand Prix.

Yesterday, it reportedly submitted a planning application to Sevenoaks District Council to extend the circuit, which could face opposition.