BTCC: Spectators Barred from Season Opener in Last Minute Change

No spectators will be allowed at Donington Park this weekend for the opening British Touring Car race of 2020, after a decision by the UK government.

Originally, all MotorSport Vision venues, of which Donington is a part of, were intending to allow a limited number of spectators at events from July.

However, the government have now ruled the BTCC to be an ‘elite sport’, and subsequently MSV and Donington are not allowed to open its doors to spectators.

MSV said, "We have worked closely with North West Leicestershire District Council and Leicestershire County Council on our plans to welcome spectators to the BTCC event this weekend. A multi-agency Safety Advisory Group approved MSV's Covid-Secure policies and confirmed its support for our plans for the opening round of BTCC at Donington Park.

"This approval was subject only to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) being satisfied that BTCC is not elite sport. Regrettably, following consultation, DCMS has confirmed today that this is not the case.

"This decision has nothing to do with MSV's comprehensive Covid-Secure procedures for keeping our customers and staff safe, but requires that an event including a round of BTCC, as the leading car championship in the UK, must follow the government's five-stage elite sport pathway with spectators presently unable to attend.

"The majority of our race meetings fall outside of this definition and are unaffected. We are clarifying the position for other BTCC events on MSV circuits and will communicate an update soon."