Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1086032
IN THE WIND P38 Indonesian MotoGP Street Race Is On! M otorcycle grand prix rac- ing is set to go back to its street-racing roots in 2021, but in a thoroughly modern way. Plans for a purpose-built new circuit on the island of Lombok in Indonesia propose that at least part of the 2.68 mile circuit will be open to the public when not being used for racing. But rather than a normal road pressed into racing service, the track will be built to comply with current safety standards, with full run-off areas and no trackside furniture. Back when the series started in 1949, five of the six tracks were on public roads, but with no such concessions. According to a statement released by Dorna, both MotoGP and WorldSBK will race at the proposed circuit in 2021, sited at a planned tourist mecca at Man- dalika on the island of Lombok, which is still recovering after an earthquake in March last year, killing more than 560 and caus- ing widespread damage in the north of the island. Indonesia (indeed, Southeast Asia in general) is a prime target for both world championships, as not just a major fan base but also a significant market, especially for scooters and small-capacity bikes. This has redoubled pres- sure from manufacturers, and the success of last year's inaugural Thai GP likewise. Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta hailed the novel character of the proposed circuit. "What a unique project this will be, having an ur- ban, world-class circuit in a coun- try where MotoGP has such a huge following," he said, adding, "Indonesia is a key market for us and the MotoGP atmosphere will be even stronger once the circuit is complete." The track, backed by the national tourist board, is a sig- nificant part of a U.S. $10 billion contract with French company Vinci Construction, which ex- tends also to hotels and other resort and residential facilities, with a 15-year program of works. The current agreement is for three years, from 2021 to 2023. With the Finnish GP also due to join the calendar by then, this would push the total number of races beyond the proposed maxi- mum of 20 per annum. One of the existing races would have to be dropped, with one of the four Spanish rounds (Jerez, Barce- lona, Aragon and Valencia) most likely to pay the price, although the British GP at Silverstone is already in jeopardy, if promised resurfacing is not satisfactorily completed. Cynics will recall that the last time Dorna signed a contract to race at an as-yet unbuilt circuit— the British GP at the proposed circuit of Wales—it ended badly. The promoters never gained the required government back- ing, and the project foundered without a single spade of earth behind turned, forcing Dorna to return to Silverstone under emer- gency conditions. Michael Scott Mick Doohan leads Tady Okada, Alex Criville and Luca Cadalora at the Indonesian GP in 1997. The country is set to host another race in 2021, this time with a difference.