Donington track shuts for F1 work

The track operators had faced legal and planning issues

Motor racing at Donington Park has ended so work can begin to prepare it for next year's Formula 1 Grand Prix.

It will cost £80m to bring the circuit up to standard, with some work already completed.

Bosses at the track dismissed doubts over its ability to host such a large sporting event and signed a 17-year deal with Formula 1 authorities.

The last event on the track, a racing school, was completed on Wednesday but other facilities will remain open.

Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, which operates the track, faced legal and planning problems after winning the British Grand Prix from Silverstone.

But now it has said all the necessary funding and permissions were in place.

The last major race at Donington was the British Moto GP in July.

A spokesman for the venue said no firm reopening date had been set but it would be well ahead of the Grand Prix in July 2010.

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