The 2012 provisional MotoGP calendar is out, and while all the basic locations remain the same, next season does see some shuffling in the order of things. While everything is still subject to some change, perhaps the biggest change on the roster for next year are the back-to-back US rounds, which sees the Indy GP moved up a week, and the Czech GP moved down the calendar to accommodate for one solitary trip to the United States. Allowing for a more streamlined supply chain for the MotoGP traveling circus, this change should be a welcomed one in the GP paddock as teams, journalists, and support crew won’t have to make two trips to the US in quick succession.
The other big change of note is the “TBC” for the venue to host the German GP. With Sachsenring reportedly out of the 2012 calendar because of event unprofitability, it remains to be seen whether Hockenheim or Nurburgring will replace it for next year. Should another German venue not be secured, it is entirely possible that we could see the German GP dropped from the MotoGP calendar in perpetuity. Speaking of dropping off the calendar, with Jerez still dealing with its creditor issues, it is also entirely possible thst we could see the Spanish round dropped from the final calendar as well, making this provisional calendar carrying a heavy emphasis on the word provisional.
2012 Provisional MotoGP World Championship Calendar:
Dates | Grand Prix | Track |
April 15th | Qatar* | Doha/Losail |
April 29th | Spain (STC) | Jerez de la Frontera |
May 6th | Portugal (STC) | Estoril |
May 20th | France | Le Mans |
June 3rd | Catalunya | Catalunya |
June 17th | Great Britain | Silverstone |
June 30th | Netherlands** | Assen |
July 8th | Germany (STC) | TBC |
July 15th | Italy | Mugello |
July 29th | United States*** | Laguna Seca |
August 19th | Indianapolis | Indianapolis |
August 26th | Czech Rep. | Brno |
September 16th | San Marino & Riviera di Rimini | Misano |
September 30th | Aragon | Motorland |
October 14th | Japan | Motegi |
October 21st | Malaysia | Sepang |
October 28th | Australia | Phillip Island |
November 11th | Valencia | Ricardo Tormo – Valencia |
* Evening Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class
STC (Subject to the contract)
TBC (To be confirmed)
Source: MotoGP; Photo: © 2011 Scott Jones Photography – All Rights Reserved
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