Promotor Belgian GP declared bankrupt

Didier Defourny GPF1, the promotor of the Belgian Grand Prix, was today declared bankrupt in front of the commercial court of Liege. The bankruptcy of the company will be officially recorded on Monday. Despite the financial difficulties of the promoter, the Belgian Grand Prix did appear on the 2006 calendar published yesterday by the FIA and is scheduled to take place on September 17th.

Being back on the Formula One calendar for only two years now, the Belgian Grand Prix is being threatened again by financial troubles. Despite being one of the most popular and classic races in Formula One, Spa-Francorchamps attracted less spectators then expected.

While the regional Walloon government had to lend 15 million Euros to the promoter of the race in order to pay Bernie Ecclestone for the 2005 Grand Prix, the poor ticket sales are another blow for the classic event - especially after the Luxembourg government, a major shareholder of the track, declined to help fund next year's race. Belgium has asked the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for assistance. A final decision is expected to be reached on November 8th after a Luxembourg government meeting.