MotoGP will hold three races in the United States next season after the announcement that the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas will join the 2013 calendar. The new purpose-built facility will host its first Formula One Grand Prix in November and tickets for its MotoGP debut, scheduled for April 21st, will go on sale in just under two weeks.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive officer for Dorna Sports, commercial rights holder for the MotoGP series, is delighted with the new addition to the calendar which demonstrates the appeal of the championship in the U.S.
“We are excited to be working with Circuit of The Americas to expand our programming in the United States and bring our series to an exceptional new Grand Prix facility in Texas. We see tremendous opportunities to market MotoGP and grow its fan-base through this agreement and know Circuit of The Americas is the right promoter to help us achieve that goal.”
Circuit President Steve Sexton has also welcomed the news and expects the arrival of MotoGP to be a huge boost to the area.
“The Circuit of The Americas team is delighted to introduce yet another world-renowned racing series to our 2013 event calendar, one we know will be hugely popular with fans coming to experience MotoGP for the first time at our state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex in Austin. MotoGP has a worldwide fan base with more than two million fans watching races in person each year. We’re confident it will be a great addition to our programming and draw tens of thousands of people to Central Texas, creating yet another major event with significant economic impact for our region.”
NGM Mobile Forward Racing rider Colin Edwards hails from the state of Texas and can’t wait to compete in a Grand Prix in his home state.
“Adding a race to the U.S. schedule makes a statement that MotoGP is working to expand it influence on American soil. The best way to grow our sport is to add races, and with events on the East and West Coasts—and now one in Middle America—it’s the perfect opportunity for more fans to see us in action. Plus, my family is really looking forward to jumping in a pick-up truck and driving up to Austin to see me compete.”
Provisional 2013 MotoGP Calendar (Subject To Change) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Qatar* | Losail | 29, 30, 31 March | ||
2 | TBC | TBC | 12,13, 14 April | ||
3 | Texas | Circuit of the Americas | 19, 20, 21 April | ||
4 | Spain | Jerez de la Frontera | 3, 4, 5 May | ||
5 | France | Le Mans | 17, 18, 19 May | ||
6 | Italy | Mugello | 31 May, 1, 2 June | ||
7 | Catalunya | Circuit de Catalunya | 14, 15, 16 June | ||
8 | Netherlands** | Assen | 27, 28, 29 June | ||
9 | Germany | Sachsenring | 12, 13, 14 July | ||
10 | United States*** | Laguna Seca | 19, 18, 21 July | ||
11 | Indianapolis | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | 16, 17, 18 August | ||
12 | Czech Republic | Brno | 23, 24, 25 August | ||
13 | Great Britain | Silverstone | 30, 31, August, 1 September | ||
14 | San Marino | Misano | 13, 14, 15 September | ||
15 | Aragon | Motorland Aragon | 27, 28, 29 September | ||
16 | Malaysia | Sepang | 11, 12, 13 October | ||
17 | Australia | Phillip Island | 18, 19, 20 October | ||
18 | Japan | Motegi | 25, 26, 27 October | ||
19 | Valencia | Ricardo Tormo Circuit | 8, 9, 10 November | ||
*Night Race | **Saturday Race | ***MotoGP class only |