The cancellation of Marrakech was expected

The Marrakech Grand Prix promised to be a great party. The only world-class motorsport event to take place on the African continent, it was created two years ago by two enthusiasts from the ocher city, supported by Menara Holding, the construction giant in Morocco. Unfortunately, organizing such an event is expensive and the organizer was not able to find the necessary funds to host the World Championship this season.

To somehow put pressure on the government in order to release funds, Ali Horma, President of Marrakech GP, declared to Radiomars last fall: There will be no Marrakech Grand Prix. The sponsors almost deserted the second edition. Today we are bringing the investment and construction of the circuit which amounts to 200 million dirhams (around 18 million Euros), that is very heavy for private individuals while the benefits benefit first and foremost the city, to the Morocco brand and then to businesses, that is to say markets which amount to tens of millions of dirhams each year for suppliers and partners. We spent nearly 25 million Euros in Marrakech, it is not an investment that is not financially profitable. It is profitable due to the media impact which is truly unrivaled in what is done in Morocco in terms of events. It also has a very profitable economic impact ».

This seems not to have been enough. No solution was therefore found and the FIA ​​World Council today withdrew the event scheduled for June 5 from the calendar. As for the organization of the championship, we are now looking for a replacement event.

« Morocco is the only country in Africa to host a world-class race. After all the work done and the considerable investment made by the local developer and the government for infrastructure, it is regrettable that Marrakech is removed from the calendar, comments Marcello Lotti, WTCC promoter. I know that the organizer did everything possible to avoid making this sad decision. We are currently in negotiations with several other circuits in Central Europe to replace this event on the same date. We should be able to announce it within a month ».

Already last year, the Mexican round of the WTCC was canceled for security reasons and could not be replaced.