BRANDS Hatch has been dealt a major blow after the Kent track discovered it had not been included on the FIM World Superbike provisional 2009 calendar issued earlier this week.

A round of the World Superbike championship has taken place at the circuit every year since 1993.

Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MotorSport Vision, said: “Of course it is very disappointing not to have World Superbikes on the calendar for Brands Hatch next year.

“But I have not been able to agree terms with the promoters of WSB, the Italian-based FG Sport company, run by Paolo and Maurizio Flammini.

“It is obviously their business to obtain the highest fees possible from circuits for having a WSB event.

“Unfortunately, FG Sport has demanded a fee over twice as much as MSV paid in 2008, which seems strange given the very obvious global economic crisis.

“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.”

Mr Palmer added: “The increase in FG Sport’s fee is equivalent to an extra £15 on the price of every race day ticket and we believe such an increase would not be acceptable to fans in any year, let alone in today’s difficult climate.

“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 motor cycle events at Brands Hatch.

“We are advancing plans for a major new bike event to take place on the traditional WSB date which will provide fans with outstanding entertainment and value. We anticipate making an announcement within the next month.”

The Kent circuit has held 16 World Superbike championship events since 1993, including two rounds in the year 2000.

It has featured many of the pivotal moments in the championship’s history, including Carl Fogarty’s double victory in 1995 and more recently James Toseland’s double win in 2007.

This year’s event at Brands Hatch saw Ryuichi Kiyonari take the first two wins of his World Superbike career.