MOTOGP » Donington hits back at MotoGP loss

Donington Park is the home of the MotoGP, it''s such a technical circuit and the riders love it and the veiwing is awesome. I won''t bother to go Silverstone, for one you can''t see anything and as for technical!! I seem to remember Silverstone nearly losing F1 because of the lack of investment, Donington Park have rebuilt the pit area, are extending the circuit and I''m sure the facilities will be first class, I don''t remember them been asked to do all this work, they do it all for the love of the sport. I would rather it went to Brands, good viewing and a very technical circuit on a BSB bike let alone a GP bike, rant over.

Donington is times better for bike racing than Silverstone will ever be, when do ever hear other riders praising Silverstone for how much they enjoy racing there?
I'm getting fed up of hearing people harp on about facilities - act like you've got a pair what's the major problem, enjoy the racing?
I don't want to see bike racing to turn into the prawn sandwich brigade that F1 is!!!

Oh dear Oh dear, hit a nerve there with Mr Gillett.

No different to the nerve he hit Silverstone and the BRDC with in July 2008 when Silverstone lost the F1 GP to Donington, all is fair in love and war, isn't that what they say.

What Silverstone need to do is reprofile the circuit, add a few new sections, create undulations and varying degree corners then it'll be the circuit that weall crave.

They've now got the ideal opportunity to do that.

The big problem in the UK is there are too many circuits. That comment may raise a few eyebrows, but look at most other countries - one or at most two main circuits like Assen in Holland, or Phillip Island in Oz, which host all the top events. Consequently, they have the income to invest in the facilities, for riders and punters alike.
Whilst the huge number of tracks in the UK creates variety, the money is widely spread out too, limiting the investment potential.
That's the choice we have ultimately - one 'national' circuit with proper investment to achieve international standards, or many tracks widely dispersed, suffering from limited income. We have the latter.

Interesting post Zoom.

Thanks for bringing some thoughtfullness into the discussion.

"However, since 1987 we have continually invested in MotoGP, emotionally as well as financially". Common Mr Gillet, who are you tryng to kid? I'm afraid to say that Donington only has itself to blame and I, for one, look forward to Silverstone. We had good racing there before and providing you know where to spectate from, it's every bit as good as Donington (Craner / Old Hairpin excepted). Having said all that, I do admit that the new layout does look good and so stick to your guns and aim to re-gain MGP in 2016....that is providing Ezpeleta and his money grabbing bunch of incompetants have not managed to completely ruin the best sport in the world and there's nothing left to re-gain!!

I have been going to motogp races since 1994, and there was always big crowds on race day, well bigger than 18000. the circuit hasn''t changed much apart from it being more expensive and no free entertainment
I have failed to see any of the promised improvements, maybe I should have gone to specsavers

Simon Gillet says they have made it what it is and increased the attendance from 18'000. It was 18'000 in the year 2000 I believe as I was there but the increase in down to one person only and that is a certain Valentino Rossi on his own. I don't believe Donington has bothered about the spectators for years and years. Bring on Silverstone and the home of the GP.

"the increase in down to one person only and that is a certain Valentino Rossi on his own."
Does this mean a certain V.Rossi will be riding until he reaches retirement age (65 yes they do tend to bend the rules for V.R)
to keep attendances up at all Moto GP's, after which there will be no Moto GP's because of no spectators, tell that to the people who watch SBK,motorcycle racing was around long before Rossi was born and will be here long after Rossi departs from this planet.