Great Leighs faces new hurdle before it can open to the public

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It followed a visit to the track yesterday where it was found that work to upgrade access for emergency vehicles had not been carried out. Great Leighs, whose first six meetings since April 20 had a restricted capacity, were working through the night to meet the BHA's requirements.

Inspection: John Holmes, owner of Great Leighs, must overcome a hurdle or two before throwing open the doors to the public

If they fail then today's and tomorrow's meetings could be called off. Paul Struthers, the BHA spokesman, said: "When we issued Great Leighs with their licence before their first meeting on April 20, there were conditions attached, which meant there was further work that needed to be completed before their meeting on May 28."

Struthers said Nicky Carlisle, the BHA's inspector of courses, visited the track last Friday to check on work to improve access for emergency vehicles and the judge's tower.

He added: "It was not as good as we had hoped. We were assured, and it was perfectly feasible, that the work would be completed over the weekend.

"Nicky went there again today and the work has still not been completed. We are now assured it will be completed by tomorrow morning. This is why the inspection has been called as we don't want to unnecessarily abandon a meeting.

"While we expect the course to pass the inspection, this is an unsatisfactory situation to say the least."

Great Leighs communications director Pippa Cuckson said heavy rain over the weekend had hampered progress but she remained optimistic that today's crowd of 3,500, including 500 who have paid £100 a head for hospitality, would not be disappointed.

Cuckson said: "It is feasible that we will have the extra track for emergency vehicles in place by tomorrow. We will be working throughout the night."