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From SuperbikePlanet.com
Indy: We Never Thought MotoGP Would Replace F1
motogp 'will bring diverse audience to indianapolis'
by dean adams
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Tony George said today that their plan was never to have a MotoGP round replace F1, that they hoped to have both events.
George said in Indy's press conference: "I know, as much as having Formula One has meant to the economic success of this city, I think if we have a motorcycle race, it will substantially be perceived as an international event that bring a diverse audience to this city that it has never seen before. They're considered separately by us; internally, I never considered that a motorcycle race would take the place of Formula One in the event Formula One never came back to the Speedway. Obviously, if we have a motorcycle race, it's because we considered it independently and as a fourth event, not a replacement event. Should that come to be, it will be a great opportunity for the city, a city that can pride itself on world-class motorsports events."
ENDS
No F1 At Indy In 2008
ushering in the motogp era?
by dean adams
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The news burning up the wires this morning is that Indianapolis Motor Speedway and F1 Supremo Berni Eccelstone have agreed to not hold an F1 race at Indy next year.
The scene seems to be set for Indianapolis to announce their MotoGP event, which will run on the F1 roadcourse (backwards and with modifications).
Local Indy press reports suggest the switch from F1 to MotoGP by Indy will give the track an opportunity to actually make money on an international race. With the sanction fee for an F1 race costing a reported $10-15 million dollars, and the sanction fee on MotoGP--again reported--to cost just $1-2 million, Indy could gross nine million dollars if 150,000 spectators pay $60 each to attend the US MotoGP event (their math, not ours).
Sure, this sounds like crazy math but once you step away from the insane math of F1, all things seem possible.
European sources indicate that Indy's MotoGP event will include the 125 and 250 machines.
ENDS
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