Extensive snowfalls at Brands Hatch this morning have caused the opening event of BSB 2008 to be abandoned.

At 11.15am Jonathan, Palmer Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision, owners of Brands Hatch, announced that following a review of circuit conditions and weather forecasts, the meeting would be cancelled.

"It is bitterly disappointing for all the fans and people involved," said Palmer. "Apart from the loss of the great show we would have had today, safety is our number one priority and this must not be compromised."

"I have been very eager to see if we could find a way not just to cancel, but postpone this first event. Fortunately a major benefit of MSV running the series now is that we have been able to reschedule this meeting to take place on the GP circuit on 10/11 May.

"All race day, weekend and grandstand tickets for today's event will be valid for the new date with no extra charge.

"The grids for all the races within the BSB programme will be set as yesterday, 5 April."

The May date is already scheduled to be a bike race meeting and some of the events from the BMCRC event that was originally in that slot will be incorporated into the BSB event.

The next round of the series will take place at the Thruxton circuit on 18-20 of April.