The Tech3 MotoGP team put the Circuit of the Americas‘ emergency systems to the test after a small fire broke out in the team’s garage. Tech3 says the fire should not affect its participation in this weekend’s Grand Prix of the Americas race.

The fire, which ignited some time overnight, was quickly doused by COTA‘s sprinkler system. The fire itself did not cause any serious damage, though fire retardant and water from the sprinkler system damaged some of the team’s computer equipment. Tech3 says the fire was caused by an electric starter that was plugged in and recharging over the night.

“We have suffered quite a lot of damage and of course it is not ideal preparations but thankfully the fire prevention measures undertaken by the Circuit of the Americas and the assistance of the local Fire Department were invaluable in limiting the damage,” says Herve Poncharal, Tech3 team manager. “The sprinkler system was immediately activated and fire crews on scene promptly and I am grateful for that” Continue Reading »

This weekend, the MotoGP circus makes its way to the United States for round two of the world championship, held at the stunning new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, the first time the track will host a world championship level motorcycle event. Expect to see the world’s fastest racebikes reach speeds over 200 mph on the 1 km (0.62-mile) back straight, and bring ear plugs — these bikes are loud!

Fresh off a 1-2 finish in the season opener in Qatar, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi are looking to carry the momentum to CotA. Meanwhile, Repsol Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez, who recently spent three days testing at the circuit, should be strong opposition for the factory Yamaha crew. And don’t forget Cal Crutchlow on the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha M1, as he’s sure to be a threat.

Continue Reading »

In the wake of the deadly bombing attacks at the Boston Marathon earlier this week, the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, announced security measures being taken for this weekend’s MotoGP round. Circuit organizers point out these measures are standard protocol for the track and are the same as those used in last November’s Formula 1 round, but in light of recent events, decided it was a good idea to assure visitors of the security measures in place.

“Circuit of The Americas hosts large-scale sports and entertainment events throughout the year, and as a matter of practice, we restrict the types of items that can be brought into the venue by patrons and others working at the track,” says Julie Loignon, vice president of public & media relations. “We work closely with public safety and emergency services personnel at the City, County, State and Federal level to monitor activities in and around the facility. We have been in touch with local law enforcement following [Monday]‘s unfortunate events in Boston, Mass., and will work with them throughout the upcoming weekend to ensure we conduct a safe and secure event.” Continue Reading »

 

In order to use footage from a Dorna-sanctioned MotoGP test session — say, for marketing or promotional reasons — a team must receive approval from Dorna. The process is tedious, and even if permission is granted, there are strict limitations as to what the material may or may not be used for. So when Honda decided to conduct its own private test (which Yamaha also joined), at the Circuit of the Americas, it was free from any and all Dorna mandates.

Rest assured, Honda took full advantage.  Continue Reading »

CotA management obviously doesn’t fathom the depth of respect MotoGP fans have for Kevin Schwantz. It may be the newest and best racing venue in the U.S., but it seems as though CotA management is going out of its way to make motorcyclists dislike the place.

Statement by Kevin Schwantz:

“I have read several reports regarding my attendance at the MotoGP test last week in Austin. I would like to make this statement:

“I had been in Switzerland over the weekend where I was the guest speaker at the St. Gallen University. I returned to Texas on Tuesday evening and on Thursday I was at CotA for the MotoGP test, with a proper credential supplied by the Attack team, to coach Blake Young. Additionally I was an invited guest of the LCR Honda team.

“While there, CotA security informed me that CotA management requested I leave the track immediately and was not welcomed at the circuit. CotA’s security force also accused me of criminal trespass and warned I would be arrested the next time I entered the track.

“This comes as a tremendous disappointment to Honda, Blake Young, and myself. Especially because I am single-handedly responsible for bringing MotoGP to Texas and for the initial design of the facility to accommodate MotoGP racing.”

Last year Kevin Schwantz filed a suit against CotA owners saying he got squeezed out as promoter for the MotoGP round.

Ducati was absent at a recent MotoGP test at the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas, attended by Honda and Yamaha‘s riders. But that doesn’t mean Ducati‘s American riders Nicky Hayden and Ben Spies won’t get a chance to ride their newest home track. The Kentucky Kid, Hayden, and Texas’ own Spies recently hit the COTA track on the new Ducati 1199 Panigale R for the sportbike’s press launch.

Our very own Kevin Duke is attending the launch and he’ll provide his first-hand look at the R version of the Panigale, but here’s what we know about the World Superbike and Superstock-homologated racebike. Continue Reading »

Blake Young may not have a full time AMA Superbike ride this season but he will get the chance to compete in some high-profile races. CycleNews reports the former Yoshimura Suzuki rider will race for Attack Performance on its Kawasaki-powered CRT racebike at the three U.S. MotoGP rounds.

Young was runner-up to Josh Hayes in the last two AMA Superbike campaigns. In 2011, Young trailed Hayes 363-358 at the end of the season but had a 7-3 edge in race wins. This year, Young had three wins but they all came in the first three double-header events before Hayes separated himself from everyone else on his way to a record-setting season. Despite being one of the few racers with a good chance of catching Hayes, Young found himself without a ride after Yoshimura decided to go in a different direction.

Now that he’s landed with the Attack Performance team, Young will be chasing M1s around the track instead of R1s at three MotoGP races. Young will compete in the April 21 Grand Prix of the Americas at Austin’s new Circuit of the Americas, the July 21 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., and the Aug. 18 Indianapolis Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Continue Reading »

Attack Performance Racing and GPTech made history this year as the first teams to build and enter motorcycles under MotoGP’s Claiming Rule Team rules as a  wild card entry. Both teams will race again, receiving wild card invites to all three U.S. rounds in the 2013 MotoGP season.

Attack Performance debuted at the Laguna Seca round but failed to qualify due to a fuel pump problem, but returned weeks later for the Indianapolis Grand Prix, finishing 14th overall and earning two championship points with Steve Rapp riding a Kawasaki ZX-10R-based race bike. Indianapolis Motor Speedway also saw the debut of GPTech‘s Suzuki GSX-R1000-based machine which Aaron Yates piloted to 16th place. Continue Reading »

The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, has officially been added to the 2013 MotoGP calendar, joining Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., and Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis to make three U.S. stops for the series.

MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports originally reached a deal with the circuit in April 2011 but various disagreements between the track owners and former World Champion Kevin Schwantz created much uncertainty. Even now, Schwantz has a lawsuit filed against the circuit’s owners over the rights to an Austin MotoGP round.

“We are excited to be working with Circuit of The Americas to expand our programming in the United States and bring our series to an exceptional new Grand Prix facility in Texas,” says Carmelo Ezpeleta, chief executive officer of Dorna Sports. “We see tremendous opportunities to market MotoGP and grow its fan base through this agreement and know Circuit of The Americas is the right promoter to help us achieve that goal.” Continue Reading »

Kevin Schwantz has taken control as event promoter to bring the MotoGP World Championship to Texas, but the former world champion may have his work cut out for him to make it happen.

According to a report by the Austin American-Statesman, Schwantz and his company 3FourTexas have assumed promoting rights for a MotoGP race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas after his business partner Tavo Hellmund was ousted by track organizers.

Hellmund’s Full Throttle Productions worked with 3FourTexas and to forge an agreement with MotoGP promoter Dorna in April 2011 to bring MotoGP to the new Circuit of the Americas in 2013. Hellmund also played a role in landing Formula 1 racing at the Circuit of the Americas. Since then, however, construction of the circuit was halted due to conflicts between the track’s rights holders and Hellmund. Continue Reading »