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/570763
IN THE WIND P40 WHY MOTOGP LEFT INDIANAPOLIS AND WHY IT'S NOT LIKELY TO RETURN A fter an eight-year run, which began with the inaugural running of the Red Bull Indianap- olis Grand Prix in September of 2008, the race is no more and further, it's doubtful it will return in the near future, if at all. A statement from the India- napolis Motor Speedway said in part that the cancellation of the race was a mutual decision by both parties. "This outcome reflects the best interests of both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Dorna Sports," said J. Douglas Boles, President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "We are proud of our efforts to increase attendance in recent years and successfully host a truly international sporting and cultural event. We're also thank- ful to Dorna Sports for its strong support and partnership since 2008. However, the timing is right to pursue other opportuni- ties that drive greater revenue for both the Speedway and our Central Indiana economy." Boles went on to tell the India- napolis Star newspaper that the Indianapolis fan base has shown to be "four-wheel rather than two-wheel." The Indianapolis Motor Speedway seems to think an en- durance sports car race would be a better fit for the track. Some longtime MotoGP insid- ers claim that Dorna was asking for a substantial fee increase to continue the race. Neither Dorna nor IMS officials com- mented on that speculation. Another factor that only the closest insiders would know is that personnel changes within IMS management probably had a major influence on the ultimate fate of the race. Mel Harder, the former Senior Vice President of Operations at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, helped secure the deal that brought MotoGP to Indy. Harder is a motorcyclist and MotoGP enthusiast and he was the point man for the event and its biggest advocate within Speedway management. When Harder left IMS in February of 2013, the track lost the one key leader it had with the knowledge and passion for MotoGP. The termination of the Indy event has far-reach effects be- yond MotoGP. The loss of the race will likely mean that MotoAmerica will lose its round in Indianapolis. It also means the Indy Mile AMA Pro Flat Track race will also likely not continue. That race had dismal attendance this summer after it tried to run on another date without piggybacking on the MotoGP weekend. In 2014, the Red Bull Indianap- olis Grand Prix earned recogni- tion from Dorna as the "Best Grand Prix" of the 2014 season. However, following the removal of the Mazda Raceway Laguna