26/02/2007
NEWS STORY
With the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) hoping to host a round of the MotoGP series, it is understood that a number of revisions will need to be carried out to the circuit which currently hosts the Formula One Grand Prix.
The most radical change would involve Turn 13 - which would be Turn 1 for the bikes, which would run anti-clockwise - the scene of Ralf Schumacher's accidents in 2004 and 2005, the second of which led to all the Michelin-shod teams withdrawing from the Grand Prix.
Turn 13 would need to be heavily modified as the MotoGP riders could not be expected to take such a high speed corner - it's at the end of the main straight - with only concrete walls and no run offs.
Therefore it is thought that a new infield section will be added - much like the section at the other end of the main straight - though this would necessitate changes to the access roads, support paddocks and (F1) pitlane entry.
The IMS has been considering hosting motorcycle events for some time, however, the recruitment of Hardcard Holdings, a leading motorsports management and consulting firm specializing in motorcycle events, has led to speculation that a MotoGP deal is imminent.
Indianapolis only has a deal for this year's Grand Prix, however it is widely speculated that the circuit will agree new terms with FOM, providing the price is right and there are no repeats of the 2005 farce. Ecclestone is keen to keep the United States on the F1 map, as are the manufacturers, and in recent times the Englishman has talked of adding a second American round to the calendar.