THE MAN BEHIND reborn motorcycle giant Norton has lept to defend Donington Park's former chief executive, following the news the circuit has gone into administration earlier this week.
Stuart Garner, Norton Motorcycles supremo, has spoken out against crticism levelled at Donington Park boss Simon Gillett, after he lost a 17-year contract to host the British Formula 1 Grand Prix.
"It's a shame that the effort did not get more support – people, including the media, were reasonably negative," said Garner.
Mr Gillett's company, Donington Ventures Ltd, went into administration with debts of millions after the company failed to meet a deadline set by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Continuing his defence of Gillett, Garner said:
"Someone like Simon Gillett was having a good punt at it and, rather than being neutral, people poured scorn on it.
"I experienced the same level of negativity and scepticism – Norton had not made a motorcycle for 20 years when I bought it. It frustrates me that people like Simon and myself put a lot of money into projects, being quite adventurous, but people only say negative things.
It's believed interest has already been shown in the East Midlands circuit from several overseas buyers.
