The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has just announced that it will be repaving its infield track section this summer, in-time for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, which is being held August 26th-28th. Expected to break ground June 9th, The Brickyard will be repaving the 1.5 mile section of the infield track between Turn 5 and Turn 16. The news is a boon to MotoGP fans and riders, as the latter has been complaining about track surface conditions from sicne the word ‘go’, and the prior group has been concerned about the conditions prompting MotoGP to take its toys and play elsewhere.
This announcement means that the infield will be repaved for the first time since its construction in 2000, as no surfacing was done when the road course was created in 2008 for MotoGP. Piecing together a mix of sections that had varying types of asphalt, the inconsistencies in the design have been the Midwest track’s biggest flaw, making it impossible for teams to setup a motorcycle for a consistent response through the infield corners. Belaying any worry that the infield would have different conditions than the oval section, IMS says the new asphalt will be consistent with the other sections of the course.
“This project is an example of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway providing competitors the finest racing facilities in the world,” said Mel Harder, IMS Senior Vice President of Operations. “We had a very long, hard winter this year, which exacerbated the bumps and cracks in this aging section of the track. We also decided to undertake this project this year due to feedback from riders during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP last year. The new surface will produce even closer, more exciting racing for the world’s best riders and our loyal fans this August.”
“I’m happy to hear the infield section is being repaved at Indy,” said 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden. “It’s already a great track, and I’m sure this will make a smoother, more consistent racetrack for everybody. It also shows how the people at IMS pay attention to every detail – that’s probably why they’ve been around over a hundred years. I’ve always loved it there, as it’s my home track. I can’t wait to get back to Indy and race in August.”
The resurfacing project is scheduled to be completed by the end of June, leaving plenty of time for The Brickyard to be ready for the 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP. The announcement seemingly ends the arguments being made as to why MotoGP should drop the Indy GP in favor of the Texan GP, as track conditions were the main complaint being levied against the venue (A&R can personally attest to the great staff and world-class facility that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway brings to MotoGP). This announcement also makes the prospect of three American GPs seem more like a reality.
Source: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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