Media reports out of Europe suggest that MotoAmerica’s Chief Operating Officer may replace Carmelo Ezpeleta as head of MotoGP if Liberty Media succeeds in its bid to acquire the international motorcycle road racing series.
Chuck Aksland, a former road racer with management experience in a wide range of operations related to the highest levels of racing, is said to be one of the people under consideration to take over from Ezpeleta if the U.S.-based Liberty organization does take over MotoGP.
“His experience and knowledge of the business could make him a solid option to lead the new era of the championship under the management of Liberty Media,” said an article posted on the Italian motorsports website Motosprint.it.
Aksland did not respond immediately to a phone call seeking comment on the report.
The son of well-known and respected tuner Bud Aksland, Chuck Aksland has spend much of his professional life around motorcycle road racing. Currently, Aksland is a partner in KRAVE Group, LLC., the commercial rights holder of AMA professional road racing in the U.S., along with Wayne Rainey, Terry Karges and Richard Varner. Aksland has been involved in MotoAmerica since its inception.
Aksland also is partner in the content production and delivery platform MotoAmerica Live +, the motorsports programming platform MTRSPT1, and a consultant for International Racers, Inc., which represents racers—Aksland is the agent for six-time Superbike World Champion Jonathan Rea.
In the past, Aksland has served as Director, Track Operations and Vice President Motorsport Operations for Circuit of The Americas and as the general manager for Team Roberts for 15 years.
Liberty Media, which owns the rights to Formula One car racing, is bidding to take over Dorna, which currently operates MotoGP and a series of related racing interests. However, European regulators have held up the purchase for review due to antitrust concerns.
If the sale goes through, a number of names have been suggested as a replacement for Ezpeleta, if he is indeed replaced. Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali, current Trackhouse Racing principal Davide Brivio and former Ducati Sporting Directory Paolo Ciabatti all are under consideration, the Motosprint article says.
