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Brands Hatch has not been included on the provisional calendar for the 2009 World Superbike championship.
The venue has hosted Superbikes every year since 1993 but owners MotorSport Vision said event promoters FG Sport were making unreasonable fee demands.
“They wanted over twice what we paid in 2008, which is odd given the economic crisis,” said MSV’s Jonathan Palmer.
“The increase is equivalent to an extra £15 on the price of a race day ticket. We think that’s unacceptable to fans.”
Palmer described the decision as a big loss to the championship and to fans, but insisted he had done all he could.
“I have made it very clear to FG Sport that we would be delighted to welcome WSB back to Brands Hatch in 2009 but despite considerable negotiation over many weeks the substantially increased offer I made to FG Sport was not acceptable to them,” he said.
“The loss of Brands Hatch will be a shame for British fans but also a big loss for the World Superbike Championship, as Brands Hatch has consistently attracted the biggest crowd of any circuit and will clearly be missed by its promoters and sponsors.
“MSV is, however, more committed than ever to major motorcycle events at Brands Hatch and we are advancing plans for a major new bike event to take place on the traditional WSB date that will provide fans with outstanding entertainment and value.”
Since 1993 the Kent venue has held 16 WSB championship events, including two rounds in 2000, and has seen many of the decisive moments in the championship’s history, including Carl Fogarty’s double victory in 1995 and James Toseland’s double win in 2007.
The championship did not have any British competitors this year, but Shane Byrne and Jonathan Rea will be taking part next year.
Despite the absence of a Brands Hatch event, they will get to race in front of home fans as there is a round taking place at Donington.
Provisional 2009 World Superbikes championship schedule:
1 March: Phillip Island, Australia
14 March: Doha, Qatar
5 April: Valencia, Spain
26 April: Assen, Netherlands
10 May: Monza, Italy
17 May: Kyalami, South Africa
31 May: Salt Lake City, USA
21 June: Misano, San Marino
28 June: Donington, Great Britain
26 July: Brno, Czech Republic
6 September: Nurburgring, Germany
27 September: tba, Italy
4 October: Magny-Cours, France
25 October: Portimao, PortugalAs reported on the BBC Motorsport Website
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