Indianapolis remains on the calendar for 2014

2014 will see the MotoGP paddock make a surprise return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

IMS had a deal signed to continue hosting MotoGP races in 2014, however it was widely expected that the contract would’ve been terminated and 2013 was expected to be the last event at the Brickyard.

CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedways, Mark Miles, last June told the Indianapolis Star that the IMS was thinking of opting out, because of the ‘inability to draw a large crowd’ for MotoGP races.

However, this weekend it has been confirmed that we will return next season, and there have been discussions to extend that deal beyond 2014.

Despite things looking all rosey again for the future of the IMS, the riders still aren’t ecstatic about the circuit. The riders are calling for some changes, to the circuit again.

They are still unhappy with different surfaces in Indianapolis. Back in 2011 IMS resurfaced the interior section, from turn 5 right round to turn 16, but now they also want some corners changed. However IMS are unlikely to do this, unless they do get a contract extension and discounted sanctioning fees.

It does leave questions about where the future of MotoGP lies in America, after Dorna’s CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said in May, “I don’t think we will continue with three [races in America].”

Just what this means remains to be seen, however expect more to come out of this in the not too distant future.

Dorna press release below.

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FIM MotoGP™ World Championship event expected in August

The Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a seventh consecutive year in 2014, with an expected race date in mid-August to be announced in the future.

Next year is the final year of the agreement between IMS and sanctioning organization and commercial rights holder Dorna to bring all three classes of the MotoGP World Championship – MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ – to the Brickyard. But IMS and Dorna have started discussions about a long-term relationship past the terms of the current contract. MotoGP first came to IMS in 2008.

“We’re very pleased that we can bring our fans another thrilling MotoGP World Championship race in 2014 at IMS,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said. “The last six years have established a solid foundation for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP and we are optimistic about the growth of the event in Indianapolis. We are also eager to continue working with our friends at Dorna to ensure an exciting long-term future for MotoGP at The Racing Capital of the World.”

“I’m extremely pleased that MotoGP will be returning to iconic Indianapolis track in 2014 to bring the pinnacle of motorcycle racing to the American fans. The Brickyard not only attracts a great crowd every year, but it heritage and history in the world of motor racing also helps grow the popularity of MotoGP in the United States and around the world. I would like to thank the organization and staff at Indianapolis for their fantastic efforts to keep the race at their track, and am already looking forward to returning next year.”, declared Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna CEO.

The 2014 Red Bull Indianapolis GP once again will feature superstars Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Marc Marquez and Cal Crutchlow racing on 1000cc prototype motorcycles from Ducati, Honda and Yamaha on the 16-turn, 2.621-mile IMS road course. The race weekend also will include competition in the Moto2 (600cc) and Moto3 (250cc) World Championship classes featuring riders from around the world.