Circuits review part in PowerTour package.

Five of Britain's leading circuits have confirmed their intention to withdraw from the British Racing Drivers' Club PowerTour package next season, according to a release issued by Brands Hatch Leisure Group.

PowerTour is the collective name of the series that includes the supposedly prestigious British Formula Three and GT championships, but disappointing spectator turnouts have caused five of the seven host circuits to turn their backs on the package for 2001.

The statement issued to confirm the withdrawal - headed 'PowerTour Championship Mid-Season Review' - reads as follows:

''Donington Park, Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Oulton Park and Thruxton will not be hosting rounds of the PowerTour Championship in 2001.

The above named circuits are withdrawing support of the PowerTour Championship in its current format.

This announcement comes following the poor spectator attendance during the 2000 season. Crowd figures have varied, Brands Hatch welcomed 1,800 spectators (over 50% down on the previous year), Oulton Park 2,900, Thruxton 2,300, Donington's first round 600 and the second meeting marginally increasing to 800.

Robert Fearnall, Chief Executive, Donington Park, added: 'The public have criticised the content and substance of the new look package. Poor crowd attendances result in a lack of atmosphere and profit.'

Dennis Carter, Chief Executive, Thruxton, concludes: 'PowerTour has struggled as a championship from the very beginning. The ticket prices have contributed to the poor attendance figures, and I personally don't believe the championship delivers value for money.'

Rob Bain, Chief Executive, Brands Hatch Leisure Group, said: 'The championship has not been supported by the motorsport enthusiast. We need to deliver quality motor racing championships that the spectator will want to follow and attend the meetings. It is transparent that the PowerTour Championship quite clearly does not meet this criteria and we have therefore agreed to withdraw the PowerTour championship, in its current format, from our calendar of events from 2001 onwards.'''

As well as F3 and GT, which have both provided entertainment in their own right this season, PowerTour also plays host to the exciting Mini Seven and Miglia classes and the burgeoning National Saloon Championship, which was touted as the replacement formula for the ailing British Touring Car series from 2001.

The circuits involved in the withdrawal are all members of the newly-formed British Motorsport Promoters consortium, which recently assumed control of the BTCC from long-time promoter TOCA.

[Source: Brands Hatch Leisure Group]