Mallory Park owners say operators solely to blame for troubles

Mallory Park Motorsport Limited, the company that runs the circuit on behalf of leaseholder the BARC, was put into administration at the beginning of last week, after negotiations over an increase in the number of days it could operate for, plus a reduction in rent from the landowner, broke down.

Landowner Titan Properties, the company owned by former racer Chris Meek that saved the circuit from closure 30 years ago, says it offered a "50 per cent" reduction, but that this was rejected by MPML.

Titan managing director Brian Robinson said: "This amount was less than the rent paid in 2005 and indeed 2003.

"MPML demanded a much lower figure and subsequently the company was placed in administration with a view to protecting it, at the expense of the racing activities at Mallory, by threatening closure and not offering the company and its lease for sale.

"The previous owners of MPML - the Overend family (who ran the circuit until 2005) - had an excellent relationship with Kirkby Mallory village since 1985, with no problems, but circumstances have changed, due entirely to actions by the new owners of the company.

"Over the last three years the turnover has virtually halved, due to loss of major events, a disastrous relationship with the village, and failure to negotiate an improved racing use schedule. MPML is solely to blame for all this.

"Tragically it appears that Mallory Park is being sacrificed by the leaseholder for reasons other than racing."