BRIEF-Motor racing-Fans rush to buy British GP tickets

LONDON Dec 8 (Reuters) - Silverstone circuit owners reported unprecedented demand for British Grand Prix tickets on Tuesday, a day after the race was confirmed on the 2010 Formula One calendar.

Organisers said in a statement that they had sold just under 6,500 tickets, worth more than 1.2 million pounds ($1.96 million), for the July 11 race in the space of 24 hours.

Britain's future on the calendar had been in doubt, despite the country being home to a majority of teams and providing the last two champions in Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, until a 17-year deal was agreed. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)