A row has broken out between the owners of racing circuits in the UK and the Welsh Assembly, backers of the ambitious plan to build a speed sport complex in South Wales at a cost of £280 million where work is due to start before Christmas.
Jonathan Palmer, owner of four circuits including Brands Hatch and chairman of the Association of Motor Racing Circuit Owners, has protested at government money being given to the project when it is being denied elsewhere and suggests that figures for jobs created and annual attendances are unrealistic.
It comes at a time when Mallory Park has gone into administration and Silverstone has had to sell its land to a developer because of bank debt caused by its own development costs.
"Silverstone and Brands have been appealing for government help for years without success," he said. "Wales can bid for MotoGP against Silverstone - one will have government subsidies, the other will not."
AMRCO are to send letters of protest to Business Secretary Vincent Cable and MPs complaining that the Circuit of Wales will have an unfair advantage over their tracks.
Although the project is not yet fully funded the Welsh Assembly has put in £2m and discussions are advanced with private investors according to the Heads of the Valleys Development Company. Planning permission for the 800 acre site which will embrace a business and technology park, motocross and karting circuits and other leisure facilities.
An advisor close to the project told bikesportnews.com :"This is not just a racing circuit. It is a development in an area of high unemployment and is a major project of regeneration which is why the Welsh assembly is right behind it."
