Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Reports of Dorna Sports, (rights holder to the FIM-sanctioned MotoGP World Championship series), and International Speedway Corporation (ISC), (owner of several American racetracks including Daytona International Speedway), working together to bring a round of the MotoGP series to Homestead-Miami Speedway as soon as 2004 broke during the final round of the 2002 MotoGP series, November 1-3 at Valencia in Spain.

In an interview with Roadracingworld.com November 5, ISC Corporate Communications Director David Tallie confirmed that the reports were basically true.

To get more on the story, Roadracingworld.com contacted Dorna Sports’ office in Spain via e-mail, sending a list of questions for Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. The following is the response, sent via e-mail, from Dorna Sports Communications Director Paco Latorre:

“We have gone through your long questionaire with Dorna Sports’ CEO Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta and the statement that can be made at this stage is no further from what was explained [to reporters], during the recent Grand Prix in Valencia.

“As Mr. Ezpeleta said in that interview, there are conversations with Homestead with the possibility that this racetrack may stage a round of MotoGP in the near future, but there is nothing definitive, so most of your questions cannot be answered yet.

“Dorna (through Carmelo Ezpeleta) and ISC (through Jim France) have been having talks since the start of the summer, as it has happened with other promoters and circuit owners in the USA for the past few years. It is no secret that one of Dorna’s intentions is to have a GP in America, always thinking of somewhere that can host a successful event, especially from the spectators’ attendance point of view, and also that the circuit matches all safety issues by the FIM standards for MotoGP races.

“Different options have been studied in the past, and are still being studied. Today the best option seems to be Homestead, but until an agreement is signed, other doors must be kept open. In any case, there’s still many conversations, inspections, and discussions to be carried on in the next few months before any final announcement can be made.

“The fact that there are many more Americans in the MotoGP series is definitely a factor in deciding to take MotoGP to America because it has the momentum to be more popular. However, even when they were less American riders involved, Dorna wanted to have a USGP.

“The statement about Dorna’s thoughts on the GP series returning to America after a long absence (the last time was in Laguna Seca in 1994) is that we would be thrilled about the possibility for this return, but only if the proper conditions are fulfilled. There are two key matters: First the security of the racetrack for the riders, and second a good promotion of the event and a good crowd attendance. Considering these facts, it will be very important for MotoGP to be in the USA, as it is a key market in the world of sport.”

Paco Latorre
Communications Director
Dorna Sports