Bulgarian Formula 1 Race Bid Goes Up in Smoke

Hopes that Bulgaria would host world-class motor sport events have now been dashed. Photo by BGNES

Bulgarian Motorcycling Federation (BMF) chief Bogdan Nikolov has announced Friday that plans to host a Formula 1 race in Bulgaria, have been suspended.

"At the end of what was possibly our most successful season ever, we have to suspend all activities and shut down the federation," Nikolov said.

The BMF organising body had already held meetings with Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 supremo, and reportedly even received a preliminary race contract for 2011-2015.

The ambition had been to host both F1 and MotoGP events.

Bulgarian Sports Minister Svilen Neykov had announced earlier this week that only "land for construction" would be provided by the government.

He added that there was no sign that the Bulgarian government would in future change its approach to funding the event.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!