Donington Park Given June Deadline

DVLL boss Simon Gillett

The 2010 British Grand Prix has moved back to schedule, at least until the end of June. Following a Tuesday meeting of the North West Leicestershire District Council, the Donington Park leaseholders were given approximately two months to resolve the matters concerning track renovations and legal dispute between them and circuit's owners Wheatcroft & Son Limited.

Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd (DVLL), controlled by Simon Gillett, was sued by Wheatcroft last month over unpaid rent dating back to September 2008. The news came as a shock to all racing fans in the UK, as it led to the conclusion that Gillett will not be able to secure the funds for the development of the track, in order to meet the September deadline imposed by F1's Bernie Ecclestone.

Almost a month before the first court appearance of DVLL – schedule on June 8th, at the Derby County Court – Gillett assured the media that his company is doing everything possible to attract the finances for the circuit's development. But then again, the last time we heard that from the DVLL owner he ended up being sued over money problems, so...

“We will be in a position to be able to sort that out very soon. We are in in-depth meetings to button down the finances and you should see a resolution on this situation soon,” said Gillett after the District Council meeting yesterday, as reported by BBC.

At the end of June, the same North West Leicestershire District Council will issue a final verdict on the planning permission for Formula One renovations at Donington Park, depending on how the aforementioned lawsuit will be settled (or not). In case things do work out for Gillett by that term, he'll still have to meet the F1 deadline for track renovations, imposed by Ecclestone for September this year.