Balatonring Zrt, the event promoter for the Hungarian Grand Prix has spoken to MotoGP Rights Holders Dorna Sports requesting postponement of this year’s race until 2010.
The decision to move back the September 20th race owes to a delay in construction schedule for the new Balatonring Circuit which would mean that it would not be completed in time, a result of a harsh winter and the financial situation that has hit Hungary and affected the funding process.
The track is still in the early stages of construction following the laying of the first stone late last year.
István Gyenesei, the Hungarian Sport Minister, said “I voiced my concerns a month ago about the decreasing probability that the Sávoly track would be finished on time.
Unfortunately, the events of the past month have confirmed my fears that not very much has happened.
I’ve done all I could to secure the Hungarian MotoGP race, and we are still looking at alternatives.
We haven’t given up on the race being organized this year, and maybe we could run it at the Hungaroring.
”In response to this suggestion, Frank Thomas, Vice President of the Hungaroring Sport Zrt, said that having the race there “is physically possible, but we would have to take a number of steps very quickly.
All parties involved (Balatonring Zrt.
, Share Capital, the Hungarian government and Dorna) remain committed to the project of bringing MotoGP to Hungary.
The building process will continue with a view to an inaugural race at Balatonring in 2010, and the track has a five-year agreement to host MotoGP races.
The FIM have yet to comment on their decision.