Rockingham incensed and demand Gow apology.

The announcement of the 2005 British Touring Car Championship calendar last week has annoyed one particular race circuit to the extent of issuing a statement on their website.

Contrary to speculation prior to the calendar's announcement on Friday last week, the MotorSport Vision race circuits will be visited, and unlike this season even the Brands GP circuit will hold a race in 2005.

Rockingham was a track where many expected a BTCC return. After a very successful 2003 meeting the track did not hold a race this season. At the time of issuing the 2004 calendar a TOCA press statement explained the decision not to visit the Corby circuit:

"To ensure the championship has as wide a geographical spread as possible, Rockingham could not be included in the 10-event 2004 schedule, however, the BTCC has its sights firmly set on a return to the Northampton venue in seasons to come."

Next season's [2005's] calendar announcement also makes reference to the Days of Thunder home. "It should be noted that Rockingham did not seek a date on our calendar, as the circuit had made a policy decision not to host any high-profile championships other than its own," said Gow in last week's TOCA press release.

Rockingham was quick to reply to this with a statement on their website stating that the circuit was 'very disappointed' not to be included in the 2005 calendar.

"This has come a complete surprise to me as I have had no contact from Alan Gow, or anyone else from TOCA, since I took over as Chief Executive," says Joe Dickinson, Rockingham's new Chief Executive.

Dickinson took over as CEO from Ashley Pover on 23rd August and was previously Chairman of Rockingham.

The statement goes on to say that it is incensed at Gow's statement regarding Rockingham's policy towards other race series, which it says is totally untrue.

"Rockingham is the UK's premier motor racing facility and we want to see the countries [sic] premier motor racing championships on our circuit," says Dickinson. "We are proud of what we are achieving with our Days of Thunder series, the only growing motor racing championship in the UK, but we are not concentrating on this to the exclusion of all other series. Alan Gow's statement is completely untrue and we want to see it withdrawn and an apology made to us for misrepresenting our business."

One place there certainly in BTCC racing this season, and next for that matter, is Donington Park this weekend. You know you want to be there, and you can for a bargain price.

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