Algarve Int'l Circuit owners have "begun talks with Formula 1's owners regarding bringing the championship back to Portugal." The Portuguese Grand Prix last took place in '96. Work was completed on the 100,000-capacity, 2.9-mile circuit in '08. Discussions are at "an early stage" (MOTORSPORT, 6/6).
The Open Championship and the Tour de France are the "next major sporting events Wales is hoping to attract." The Welsh Government held "initial talks" with organizers about hosting the two events after Cardiff held the Champions League final on Saturday. Economy Minister Ken Skates said, "I think there is great potential to host new major events that have not yet been to Wales." The Royal & Ancient has staged championships in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland but none of its 145 events in Wales (BBC, 6/6).
The Champions League final has been "celebrated as a success" but pubs and shops in Cardiff said that they "lost huge sums of money." Many "regular customers stayed away" while traders said that fans "only arrived in the city centre late on Saturday afternoon." One food shop owner said that it was "one of the worst weekends on record" (BBC, 6/5).
The Sports Authority of Thailand reached an agreement with commercial and TV rights holder Dorna Sports to stage MotoGP races in the country for three years, starting next year. The '18 race in Thailand will take place from Oct. 5-7 and is expected to be held at Buriram Int'l Circuit. The event will be organized "ahead of races in Japan, Australia and Malaysia," the SAT said (BANGKOK POST, 6/6).
