Spa-Francorchamps in trouble

Grey clouds above the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, the future of the GP has been thrown into renewed doubt amid reports that the race promoter has hit financial trouble. The 2005 race went ahead with the assistance of a 15 million Euro loan from the Wallonian government and it seems the promoter is unwilling or unable to use money from ticket sales to help repay it.

If the existing promoter Didier Defourney Grand Prix fall by the wayside, the authorities will require a new financial partner to ensure the race's survival.

Spa is one of Formula One's classic circuits and is known as a driver and fan favourite. However, a lack of aggressive promotion, the relatively remote location and the track in Belgium's Ardennes and a shortage of local amenities mean that it struggles to attract the short of huge crowds that the likes of Melbourne and Montreal draw in.

Given the steep sanction fees payable to Bernie Ecclestone’s Formula One Management company in return for staging rights, it is extremely difficult for even the most successful promoters to break even without government largesse.
The Wallonion government is a major shareholder in the Spa-Francorchamps track and will meet on November 8 to decide how to proceed.