MotoGP Returns to Indianapolis for 2014 & Maybe More

Despite the posturing ahead of this year’s Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, which seemed to suggest that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway would exercise an option to forgo hosting the 2014 MotoGP Championship, Dorna and IMS have come to an accord on keeping the Indianapolis GP for next season, with a date in mid-August still to be announced.

Keeping three American races on the calendar for at least the immediate future, IMS also announced that it was working with MotoGP on a “long-term future” to keep the premier class coming back to Indianapolis, which bodes well for the US keeping its dominant role in hosting the MotoGP Championship.

“We’re very pleased that we can bring our fans another thrilling MotoGP World Championship race in 2014 at IMS,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles. “The last six years have established a solid foundation for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP and we are optimistic about the growth of the event in Indianapolis. We are also eager to continue working with our friends at Dorna to ensure an exciting long-term future for MotoGP at The Racing Capital of the World.”

“I’m extremely pleased that MotoGP will be returning to iconic Indianapolis track in 2014 to bring the pinnacle of motorcycle racing to the American fans. The Brickyard not only attracts a great crowd every year, but it heritage and history in the world of motor racing also helps grow the popularity of MotoGP in the United States and around the world. I would like to thank the organization and staff at Indianapolis for their fantastic efforts to keep the race at their track, and am already looking forward to returning next year,” added Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

Ezpeleta’s comments surely reflect the buzz we heard from the riders that at the very least IMS will re-pave its course with a singular type of high-grip asphalt, though the changes and enhancements may also include changes to the track’s layout.

It’s not clear at this time if those changes will occur before the 2014 round; though with the track’s history, superb facilities, and hospitable nightlife, Indy is closing in on fixing the Achilles heel of its marquee two-wheeled event.