Russia’s Smolensk Ring Not Ready to Host Superleague Formula Race in September

Superleague Formula’s bid to be the first major international championship to visit Russia’s new Smolensk Ring this September has been put on hold.

Superleague Formula, a motorsport series that comprises cars sponsored by leading football clubs, was due visit the venue on September 3-4. However, the circuit’s directors have admitted that the venue would not be ready to stage an international event before 2012.

However, a statement from senior management at the Smolensk Ring stated that the venue’s officials have decided to focus on upgrading infrastructure and track facilities ahead of the 2012 campaign.

Superleague Formula competition director Robin Webb said: “It a great pity for our 2011 calendar that we won’t now be going to the Smolensk Ring in 2011. We visited the circuit a number of times and it seemed that progress was ongoing. As a Championship we are bound by decisions that circuits and promoters make. However we are hopeful that it may well fit into our calendar in 2012.”

Webb added: “We have received other offers to take the series elsewhere in Russia and also to alternative territories on the September date, and we are actively investigating further options. We need to make sure that our race teams and drivers are 100% in the loop, so we hope to be able to make a further statement as to an updated race schedule as soon as possible.”