Wednesday January 12th, 2000

Nicola Foulston, who took the reins of Brands Hatch Leisure following the death of her father John Foulston, has resigned, according to a report on autosport.com.

Although Foulston's resignation was announced yesterday, citing personal reasons, her resignation had been submitted before Christmas when the sale of Brands Hatch Leisure to Interpublic’s Octagon sports marketing group was finalized.

The announcement came as a surprise as Foulston has been heavily involved in an attempt to return the British Grand Prix to Brands Hatch from its current Silverstone home. From 1963 until 1986, the British Grand Prix alternated between Brands Hatch and Silverstone, but since then the race has been held at Silverstone. In winning the contract for Brands Hatch Leisure to stage the British Grand Prix from next year onwards, Ms. Foulston has won no friends with former contract holders the British Racing Drivers Club, who control Silverstone.