The legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium will be free to run an F1 event next year, after concerns over noise were brushed aside.
Philippe Henry, the Walloon regional Minister of the Environment, Planning and Mobility has given the circuit a new licence after local politicians waved noise restrictions for the F1 weekend.
The track's licence had been suspensed following noise complaints from residents.
However, while the track will be exempt from noise controls over the F1 race weekend - a decision that was made in light of the economic benefits to the region of hosting the race - it will face tougher noise sanctions at other times.
These include a new decree means that means there must be at least two weekends in the summer months when there will be no racing at all at the circuit.
An independent company has also been set up to monitor the noise produced by the circuit. Its findings will determine whether or not the circuit will be granted a permit beyond March 2011.
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Re: Spa circuit saved
Perhaps Spa could use the two summer weekends to host electric car racing. Tesla is already producing the electric Elise and I don't think they make as much noise as the typical V8 petrol racers...