Circuit of Wales build delayed again

[Blade]

Donnington will be glad.

Do you think it will ever get built ?

[Kwacky]

I suspect they're struggling to get interest going. It's a great looking circuit but the road network is poor.

[Norfolknchance]

I suspect they're struggling to get interest going. It's a great looking circuit but the road network is poor.

Just like Donnington then.

[Kwacky]

Not really

The M42 and M1 aren't far from Donny and you've got the airport next door.

Wales has some dirt tracks and mountains.

[Blade]

Have you been to Donnington for Motogp on race day ?

It would be impossible for traffic to be worse than Donnington Park and that's including if they built the circuit in the centre of London and timed the race to start at rush hour on the busiest day of the week.

Don't quote me on this but I thought part of the planning permission for the Circuit of Wales included new or siginificant improvements to the current road infrstructure.

[Kwacky]

Yes Blade, I've been to loads of national and international races at Donnington.

[duke63]

As much as its a great plan, I just cannot see it ever happening.

[Blade]

Yes Blade, I've been to loads of national and international races at Donnington.

No offence meant mate, I know you have, I ve been to wsbk with you. Its just I have been to BSB and WSBK at Donny also and not had too bad an experience with traffic but the last time I went to Motogp at Donny which was admittedly a long time ago I was 3 hours getting out and my mate in a Camper van was 8 hours. The traffic seems to be an issue at the Motogp event as obviously 80-100,000 spectators is going to be worse than 20,000
thats all I was trying to say.

[Kwacky]

Donny needs an upgrade. A couple of new exits and decent facilities would help no end.

Donny struggles if there is an incident on the roads nearby, which has happened a few times. Cars v Bikes is never a good combo when people are trying to get away.

The problem with Wales Circuit is most of the traffic is going one way - east. At least with Donny it is fairly central and the traffic is going off in various directons.

[Blade]

Donny would be awesome if they made some serious investment until that time its a second rate circuit IMO and that's a shame as it always makes for some great racing just let down by facilities and infrastructure unfortunately.

[Kwacky]

A bypass out of the back of the circuit to the A50 would make a world of difference. There's a junction nearby so all the road has to do is hook up with that. Keep the current exit road for those heading south. Sorted.

[D41]

It'll be delayed for years....you won't see them break ground on that place in this decade (assuming they ever do)
And Rich is right, it's just too remote and lacking in infrastructure.....never mind the roads, or lack of them...where's the hotels and restaurants gonna be, and who's going to build and operate them??? The track itself would be the least of their worries....once those earth-movers move in, it wouldn't take long to get a track....it's only laying asphalt, run-off and kerbing.
It took ten years to get permission for CVR....a busy track, a popular track because of it glacier-like smoothness, and scads of run-off....basically about 60 miles of it!!
Yet 5 years later, all they have out there is a sort of construction trailer that been converted to restrooms, and a big canopy for a meeting room/ eating area.
Nearest gas station is 30 mins drive away, and although the nearest town is a brisk 5 mile jog away...well, it's a ghost town....there's nothing there, and no-one lives there.
Now THAT would almost be a better choice for a GP circuit...or the site of one.....nothing around, only 3-3.5 hours from LAX.....good access, 'cos no-one goes out there, and all the hotels, casinos & amenities of Palm Desert, La Quinta etc. are only a 50 minute drive away...they'd have a blank canvas out there.....picture Qatar and you're in the ballpark.

'Course, it not ideally suited to be a CoW (lol!), but you get the idea.

[D41]

And yes....Silverstone and Donny just look tired & a bit shabby.....every time I watch the British GP I almost cringe out of embarrassment....same with Indy, and there's no doubt as to why Laguna got dropped.

[Blade]

I disagree about Silverstone. Always been a good circuit with good facilities imo and had lots of money and development in recent years with brand new track layout, new silver wing and new paddock. By far the best uk circuit IMO.

[duke63]

Yes Silverstone is very good facility wise and also great to ride. It just lacks the undulations that make watching so good.

Apparently the changes to Donington which were required to bring it up to Motogp standard have also been put back until early summer.

The whole Wales circuit thing has the feel of a massive 'fail' feel to it already.

[Blade]

I agree and tbh I think it was politic's that had dorna give circuit of Wales the British motogp rights, surely dorna are now regretting this ridiculous decision.

[duke63]

I don't think Dorna can lose. If Donington or CofW cannot host the event, i bet Silverstone would step in smartish.

My only concern is we end up losing the British Motogp round altogether though i guess that's a good excuse to visit another European round.

[D41]

I stand corrected....I was thinking of the one with the massive wall on the hairpin?? Which one is that....and yes, I know realize that's not a GP track.