Argentina MotoGP: Progress Continues at Termas de Rio Hondo
Argentina MotoGP: Progress Continues at Termas de Rio HondoArgentina MotoGP at Termas de Rio HondoWhen the FIM released the 2013 MotoGP schedule in November, 19 rounds were initially listed.
Besides the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, there was supposed to be another new track on the calendar – Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina.The circuit had signed a three-year contract with Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP, to host a round in April, but due to “safety reasons,” the circuit was removed from the 2013 schedule.Why “safety reasons?” There was a travel warning in place by the Spanish Government. Dorna said if the travel warning was withdrawn by Nov. 18, Argentina would be confirmed on the 2013 MotoGP schedule.But this deadline was not fulfilled, forcing Dorna to drop Argentina from the schedule, though the travel warning was removed two days later on Nov. 20.Once the travel warning was removed, Dorna committed itself to including Argentina on the 2014 MotoGP Calendar. And as part of this commitment, the FIM, the governing body of MotoGP, spent two days at the Argentinian circuit this week, reviewing all safety measures. Following “two days of intense scrutiny” at Termas de Rio Hondo, MotoGP reported on Friday that the reviews were positive.Franco Uncini (FIM Grand Prix Safety Officer and 1982 500cc World Champion) says: “The track is beautiful and the safety standards are very high. Overall I can say that we are very pleased and impressed by the quality of the work that has been done, but right now we are not willing to fully approve the circuit as a few minor modifications will soon be taking place.”This positive news moves the new Argentinian track a step closer to obtaining the maximum approval required by the FIM in order to host a round of the World Championship. MotoGP has planned a test session at the new circuit for the first week of July.The last time MotoGP occurred in Argentina was in 1999 at the Autodromo Oscar Alfredo Galvez in Buenos Aires.
KTM RC 390 and Gordon McCall of Quail Motorcycle Gathering
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly Podcast—Motos and Friends.
This week’s Podcast is brought to you by Yamaha motorcycles. Discover how the YZF-R7 provides the perfect balance of rider comfort and true supersport performance by checking it out at YamahaMotorsports.com, or see it for yourself at your local dealer.
This week features Senior Editor Nic de Sena’s impressions of the new KTM RC 390. The entry-level KTM has always been an impressive motorcycle that has sold extremely well, however the factory has now taken the bike to another level, with top-spec features that are typically found on flagship machines. Clearly KTM has realized that even smaller engined machines should have high spec suspension, brakes and electronics packages. Nic tells us how well the new RC 390 is equipped, and what he thought of riding the smaller displacement rocket.
In the second segment I chat with automotive and motorcycle industry icon, Gordon McCall. Gordon is the Director of Motorsports at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel Valley, California.
This weekend of Saturday May 14th sees the annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering re-start after its Covid-forced hiatus, and having attended every one of the previous Motorcycle Gatherings, personally I’m very happy that the event is back on the schedule. Gordon chats about the event and a little of what’s happening this year. It’s a great event and if you feel like a trip to the gorgeous Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, you’ll get to meet Gordon, Roland Sands, and of course a large number of stunning motorcycles too.
From all of us at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!