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MotoGP US Venue News
Since its inception on the MotoGP Championship in 2008, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) provided another venue in the Americans besides Laguna Seca.
And earlier this week, officials at Indianapolis confirmed that the track will remain on the MotoGP schedule for another three years (2012-2014); this was after the contract was extended through 2014 between IMS and Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder for MotoGP.
Jeff Belskus (IMS President and CEO) says: "We’re happy to welcome back the exciting action and colorful, daring riders of MotoGP to IMS. This event brings a unique international flavor and style of racing to the Speedway that has become a solid, new tradition on our annual schedule. We’re excited about the event’s potential for continued growth into the future."
The Red Bull Indy Grand Prix, which was dominated by Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner last month (August), was revamped for the 2011 race. Due to complaints of a bumpy circuit, IMS repaved the track from Turns 5 through 16.
Following the 2011 Indy GP, many of the 17-rider grid were happy with the repaved surface, including the three Americans currently competing – Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Spies and Monster Tech 3 Yamaha’s Colin Edwards; Spies and Hayden both have podium finishes at IMS.
Spies commented on the new contract that keeps Indy on the MotoGP Schedule for another three years.
Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP) says: "It’s great news to hear that Indianapolis is going to stay on the calendar for another three years," Spies said. "As every rider knows, there’s nothing more special than coming to a home race and putting it all on the line in front of your fans.
"I’ve had pretty exciting races there so far in GP, and there’s so much history at the Brickyard, it’s a pleasure to be a part of it. I hope it continues to be a platform to bring MotoGP to a bigger American audience."
The fifth annual Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix is scheduled for Aug. 17-19, 2012, a week earlier than 2011. For 2012, MotoGP teams will compete on 1000cc prototypes that provide added power over the 800cc machines that have been used since 2007. In 2012, MotoGP will also run with its support classes – Moto2 and the all-new Moto3.
For a review of 2011 Indy MotoGP, click here.
