MotoGP moves to the USA this weekend.
The Motorcycling World Championship hadnt been on North American lands since 1994. Only MotoGP riders will be racing.
After the Dutch Grand Prix held one and a half week ago, one part of the Motorcycling World Championship has moved to the US to race this weekend at the US Grand Prix on the renewed Laguna Seca circuit. This legendary layout, with its fearsome and spectacular Corkscrew’ corner, a downhill corner with a spectacular gradient change, has undergone major changes on its infrastructure something logical to host a Grand Prix mainly as regards safety elements and run-off areas. The circuit was already host to the World Championship from 1988 to 1994, but the minimum safety standards required made it loose its place in the calendar.
Since December 2004 the Californian circuit has undergone several remodelling works in order to increase safety. The existing run-off areas have been extended and new ones have been added, some of the kerbs have been replaced and the main straight has been widened. However, despite all these changes, the total length of the circuit and its layout have been maintained, with its 3,610 metres in length and 11 corners, 7 left-hand and 4 right-hand ones.
MotoGP will arrive this weekend at the Californian track with the most advanced racing bikes and the highest technology of the planet. For the Repsol Honda Team riders, Laguna Seca is not a new track. Nicky Hayden, winner of the AMA Superbikes Championship in 2002, has already contested and won races on this circuit while his teammate Max Biaggi, has raced in Laguna Seca as well, at the time the World Championship visited the US with the 250 and 500cc classes.
Repsol rider´s comments:
Max Biaggi:
I have a distant memory of Laguna Seca, but the feeling is good, it means I liked it. I remember that the track was pretty small, tight and thus very technical. But it was not well kept at that time. The pits were tents, like in a camping site. I had never seen something similar before. The new bikes are more powerful than ever so it’s supposed to be fun riding down there. I hope that the safety conditions have improved much more, because this was the real weak point of this circuit. Anyhow, racing in California is always magic. I like racing in front of the American public. It would be the perfect scene to come back to a good result.
Nicky Hayden:
Ever since I was a kid I dreamt of riding in a GP at home and now its nearly here and Im stoked. In fact I can really remember the last GP here. Me and my bro did this kinda road trip guess I was about 11. We sneaked in no passes, any of that stuff and had a ball. Im so pleased that it all came together to get the race here. I know a lotta people have worked real hard to make this happen. I just hope we can put on a good show. I havent seen the track since I was last here but hear that theyve made a few changes to the kerbing and put in some big gravel areas that should make a little safer. Theres going to a whole load of support this weekend for me and for my brothers racing in AMA I just hope so much this is a race to remember for all the right reasons and not one to forget!
The venue of the GP:
MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA (www.laguna-seca.com )
The Monterey Peninsula’s close relationship with racing on all levels traces its beginning to 1950 with the inaugural running of the Pebble Beach Road Races; sports car events run through the winding roads of the Del Monte Forest that became immensely popular, bringing crowds of fans and consequently money and prestige to the area. But as the cars got faster and the crowds grew larger, it was decided that the race was too big for the open road. It was in 1956 when a group of civic-minded business leaders decided to build a permanent racing facility and therefore created the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) on November 1 that same year. The non-profit group’s mission, which remains unchanged today, is to benefit local charitable and non-profit organizations and to promote the economic vitality of Monterey through motorsports events. The group leased Fort Ord land from the Army, built the circuit and staged its first race on November 9, 1957. Since that day, events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca have generated more than $1 billion in revenue for area businesses, while providing over $10 million for more than 100 charitable and civic groups. Today, SCRAMP is the most important economic and charitable organization in Monterey County.
Modification and maintenance works were carried out in 1996 on the circuit. The Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, with a length of 3,602 metres, is made up by seven left-hand corners and five right-hand corners including its spectacular and famous Corkscrew, where riders literally fly over the tarmac.
The World Championship returns to the USA and Laguna Seca this year, for the first time since 1994. The Grand Prix will not feature the minor classes, neither the 125cc nor the 250cc; fans will however be able to enjoy other races such as the AMA Superbike Championship, the Repsol Superstock Series and the Pro Honda Oliz Supersport Championship Presented by Shoei. They will also be able to enjoy the Superstars of Super Karts featuring some of the best Super Kart racers in the world competing against motorcycle racing legends including Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson.
