valerossi
07-13-2005, 11:29 AM
WEDNESDAY 13TH JULY 2005
The success of last weekend's US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, the first Motorcycle Grand Prix held in the United States since 1994, has reignited the interest of Barber Motorsports Park in hosting a MotoGP race.
The Alabama circuit had previously been named as the most likely venue for MotoGP's return, until funding problems saw it superseded by Laguna Seca - which will also host next year's race. However, Barber's promoters are now looking at either taking over the US GP from 2007 or, more likely, of holding a second event.
"We feel there's a possibility of a second MotoGP race in the near future, and by near future, I mean 2007 or 2008," Gene Hallman, president and CEO of Zoom Motorsports - the event promoter for Barber Motorsports Park - told The Birmingham News.
"Dorna Sports, the governing body for MotoGP, wanted to see how the Laguna Seca event went, and particularly how the manufacturers felt about the race, before they committed to another US race.
"Our philosophy in a nutshell is that we certainly want to keep our MotoGP options viable," he declared. "We do believe at some point in the next two to four years, we will be given an opportunity to host the US Grand Prix, or a second American Grand Prix."
Barber Motorsports Park already hosts a round of the AMA Superbike championship, but the relatively tight layout - although flowing and 'modern' in its design - rarely allows the Superbike's to use all their potential.
The 2006 Red Bull US Grand Prix, at Laguna Seca, will take place on July 21-23.
http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/4842/gp4cc.jpg
Hopkins, Checa, Gibernau, Edwards, Barros, Melandri, U.S.MotoGP, 200
The success of last weekend's US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, the first Motorcycle Grand Prix held in the United States since 1994, has reignited the interest of Barber Motorsports Park in hosting a MotoGP race.
The Alabama circuit had previously been named as the most likely venue for MotoGP's return, until funding problems saw it superseded by Laguna Seca - which will also host next year's race. However, Barber's promoters are now looking at either taking over the US GP from 2007 or, more likely, of holding a second event.
"We feel there's a possibility of a second MotoGP race in the near future, and by near future, I mean 2007 or 2008," Gene Hallman, president and CEO of Zoom Motorsports - the event promoter for Barber Motorsports Park - told The Birmingham News.
"Dorna Sports, the governing body for MotoGP, wanted to see how the Laguna Seca event went, and particularly how the manufacturers felt about the race, before they committed to another US race.
"Our philosophy in a nutshell is that we certainly want to keep our MotoGP options viable," he declared. "We do believe at some point in the next two to four years, we will be given an opportunity to host the US Grand Prix, or a second American Grand Prix."
Barber Motorsports Park already hosts a round of the AMA Superbike championship, but the relatively tight layout - although flowing and 'modern' in its design - rarely allows the Superbike's to use all their potential.
The 2006 Red Bull US Grand Prix, at Laguna Seca, will take place on July 21-23.
http://img314.imageshack.us/img314/4842/gp4cc.jpg
Hopkins, Checa, Gibernau, Edwards, Barros, Melandri, U.S.MotoGP, 200