DONINGTON boss Simon Gillet has come under fire this week after angry series boss Jonathan Palmer was forced to scrap an event because the circuit is unfinished.

The track, which is due to host the British GP in 2010, has been widely criticised over recent building work and series organisers have been waiting for the all clear from the governing body of UK motorsport, the Motor Sports Association to give the circuit a track licence.

A spokesman for the MSA has confirmed they will not issue the licence until the track has been inspected and complies with all regulations - until then all events must be cancelled.

MotorSport Vision's chief executive Jonathan Palmer, who had to cancel his Blast in the Park event at Donington, said: "It's extremely disappointing that this remarkable situation has occurred, and that we have been forced to cancel our event.

"This has caused significant disruption to all our competitors and series, including Formula Palmer Audi, that were due to race next weekend.

"It is quite unsatisfactory and particularly unacceptable that we have received no communication from the circuit on the matter. We are currently in discussions with all our series and championship co-ordinators to arrange alternative dates and venues, and these will be confirmed at the earliest opportunity."

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MARINO'S ON COURSE

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SCOTTISH racer Marino Franchitti is hoping to smash the opposition after signing up for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Sports car racer Franchitti, younger brother of the legendary Dario, will line up alongside Paul Drayson and Jonathan Cocker in their Drayson Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT2.

The 30-year-old - who races in the American Le Mans Series - is making his second Le Mans appearance and will be the only member of the Drayson team with experience of the circuit.

He said: "My main thought at the moment is excitement for the biggest sportscar race in the world.

"Le Mans is everything to me - it's the reason I became a sports car driver. When I was young, my hero was Derek Bell and I wanted to win Le Mans just like he had. I have imagined many times standing on that podium above a sea of people after the race and I hope one day to make that a reality."

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VIT OF ALL RIGHT

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RED BULL reject and Force India test driver Vitantonio Liuzzi has landed a drive in the A1GP series.

The Italian will race for Team Italy in the Portugal and Great Britain legs.

Liuzzi was in Malaysia as Force India's reserve Formula One driver when he got the call - but flew straight back to Europe to get his first taste of A1GP.

He said: "I am pleased that Vijay Mallya and Force India agreed to release me for these races so I can feel the adrenalin of a race atmosphere again.

"I'm really looking forward to trying the A1GP car and to get back to racing, which is the thing I like to do most."

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RIDING OUT STORM - Toni Elias is fighting hard on his Honda

TONI FIGHTS FOR FUTURE

MOTOGP racer Toni Elias will be fighting hard this season after admitting he is off the pace.

The Gresini Honda rider fears he will languish at the back of the grid because new practice rules mean he cannot test his bike before the start of the season.

The Spaniard said: "We have struggled a little more than we expected in testing but we know where the problems lie and it is good to be going back to a circuit where we already have lots of data.

"Ideally I'd like to be starting the season in better shape but the truth is we have work to do in a short space of time when we get out to Qatar and we'll be pushing hard in every aspect to approach the race in the best possible way."

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DC OPENS SHOP

DAVID COULTHARD - exhibits

DAVID COULTHARD fans can breathe a sigh of relief after the museum dedicated to him announced it will re-open next weekend.

The museum, in Twynholm, Dumfries, closed earlier this year but the Coulthard family have come to the rescue.

David's dad, Duncan Coulthard, said: "We will be opening next month and we will hopefully have a few more exhibits soon, we're just waiting on the gloves and helmet from David's last race."

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