EuroSpeedway Lausitz Hopes To Receive Financial Support, Counts On EU For Approval

The EuroSpeedway Lausitz "would like to receive financial support from the state government and therefore hopes for a positive response from the European Union," according to Norman Fischer of MOTORSPORT TOTAL. The racetrack, which opened in 2000, "is looking at an uncertain future." The track's contract with the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) "has not been extended yet, and with the Berlin Tempelhof airport closed it might get competition in its region." In addition, the racetrack "has some financial issues." The circuit "needs to renew its asphalt surface, but a complete renovation of the EuroSpeedway would cost millions." EuroSpeedway Managing Dir Bert Poensgen said, "We definitely can't afford that. Our business is unfortunately not that profitable." The racetrack "hopes to receive financial support and counts on the European Union." Poensgen: "Our request concerns the general distribution of public subsidies for sport facilities and more specifically racetracks" (MOTORSPORT TOTAL, 8/28).