2008 FIM Red Bull Motocross of Nations Location Named

FUNCHAL, 9 January 2008 - Following the cancellation of the location Moneyglass Demesne due to lack of infrastructure and improvement to the venue, Youthstream and Donington Park found an agreement for the organization of the 2008 FIM Red Bull Motocross of Nations.

Dr. Wolfgang Srb, CMS President, was delighted with the news, “The FIM Red Bull Motocross of Nations is the greatest and most prestigious off-road motorcycle event of the year. It is the only occasion where the best riders in the world come together and compete with great pride and enthusiasm for their colors. As the showcase of Motocross, this event deserves to be staged at the best circuits in the world. I am happy that Donington Park was selected to host this event.”

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, Youthstream President, said, “The FIM Red Bull Motocross of Nations has reached such a high level now that only a few circuits in the world are capable to hold this event.  With more than 80,000 people present during the weekend and with all their needs for camping, parking, traffic regulations, infrastructure, toilets, restaurants and recreation areas, there are only a few circuits who can offer all this today and Donington Park is for sure one of the best.  Donington Park not only offers all these infrastructure to the public but they can also provide a professional paddock for the riders and teams and a very modern press facility for the media, there is a lot of hotel accommodation nearby and an international airport is within 3kms.  Last but not least, last year we built a very traditional, spectacular and safe Motocross track together, respecting the Motocross tradition in the most modern and comfortable environment.  We believe the co-operation between Donington Park, Youthstream, FIM and ACU will bring this event again to be the greatest off-road event of the year in the world.  I am sure fans from all around the world will be there to support their National team.”

The Leicestershire parkland circuit, which successfully hosted the British Motocross Grand Prix last August stepped in, offering to stage the sport’s most prestigious event, in a change of heart that sees a return of top class ‘dirt-bike’ action to the venue, much earlier than had been anticipated.

“We are thrilled by the prospects of hosting this terrific event and will be working closely with the motocross rights holders, Youthstream, to ensure that this is an event that will set the standards by which others are measured,” commented Mr. Robert Fearnall, Circuit Director.

“We received a very positive feedback from our Grand Prix last August, in what was a pilot event for us to ascertain what motocross was all about,” added Mr. Fearnall. “It was always our intention to host more top motocross events when we had made more evaluation of the projects, and now we will be working extremely hard to build a larger fan base for motocross, which is an amazing, thrill-packed spectacular, by taking it to our large road-racing audiences in putting together exhibition races at both the British Motorcycle Grand Prix, and the World Superbike Championship meeting”.

“This should take the show to a whole new audience and attract a spectator audience that the event deserves, given the quality of the show it provides,” ended Mr. Fearnall.