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
VOL. 52 ISSUE 37 SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 P41 Seca from the MotoGP schedule in 2014, the Red Bull Indianapo- lis Grand Prix became the only summer MotoGP event in North America for the last two seasons. This caused both financial and logistical challenges that no longer made the event viable for the foreseeable future. Ultimately, removing the Indianapolis race became key to Dorna's efforts to expand both the number of events it hosts and the geograph- ic diversity of its schedule. "Bringing MotoGP to the India- napolis Motor Speedway has been a tremendously rewarding experience," said Dorna Sports Chief Executive Officer Carmelo Ezpeleta. "The historic track, professional staff and welcoming host community produced an annual event that was enjoyed by all. While both sides recog- nize it's the right time to pause this relationship, the door is not closed on future collaborations together should current circum- stances change." Fans who renewed tickets for 2016 following the 2015 race will receive full reimbursements. Ticket holders seeking additional information can call the IMS Ticket Office at 317-492-6700. Larry Lawrence IMS PRESIDENT DOUG BOLES TALKS MOTOGP I MS President Doug Boles said he was saddened that the MotoGP at the Speedway couldn't continue. "The MotoGP weekend has grown into so much more than just the race," Boles said. "Even though MotoGP didn't bring in the number of fans that the Indy 500 or a NASCAR race does, it brought in a crowd who were passionate about motorcycles and they really transformed the city for the entire weekend. The way in which the motorcycling com- munity embraced our event was one of the things that made this such a special weekend for us. Take 'Motorcycles on Meridian,' for example, even though a lot of the people who came into town to participate or just take in that event never came out to the track, yet it was the MotoGP event that was the driver that brought everyone into town." Boles said discussions with Dorna have always been straightforward, but it was obvious when discussions began at this year's event on 2016, it was going to be difficult for two parties to come to terms. Negotiation of fees never came into play. "Our relationship with Dorna has always been honest and transparent," Boles explained. "When they told us what they needed to continue bring- ing MotoGP to Indianapolis, we were so far apart that there wasn't a lot of need for negotiation. We decided to just keep the lines of communication open for the future." When asked if they went to Red Bull to see if it could step up sponsorship of the race, Boles said, "The Red Bull sponsorship was a package that Dorna brought to the event. So I don't know if Dorna went back to them or not." As far as MotoGP coming back to Indianapolis, Boles said never say never. "That's the great thing about our relationship with Dorna," he said. "The door is always open. If circumstances change in the future we'd be more than willing to explore the possibility of bringing MotoGP back." Some have speculated that the possibility that there will be no American riders in Motorcycle Grand Prix racing next season was a factor, but Boles dismissed that claim. "MotoGP fans are fans of the series," he said. "Not having Nicky [Hayden] here would certainly make it a little harder to promote the event locally, IMS President Doug Boles explains why Indy MotoGP won't be returning anytime soon. PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARRY LAWRENCE