Another Defence of Indy Fails To Make A Case

September 7th, 2011

Bob Kravitz, writing in the Indy Star in defence of the Indianapolis MotoGP Course:

Was the track slippery? Yes. That happens when a track gets repaved. Adjust and move on.

Does the track lack the challenges these riders see on other tracks throughout the world? Absolutely. They often run on picturesque tracks, weaving through the trees, enjoying changes of elevation.

Indianapolis is what Indianapolis is: a make-shift MotoGP course established inside the world?s most famous oval.

Mr. Kravitz thinks the dwindling crowds at the MotoGP event are down to criticism like Stoner?s. I contend other factors are more at play here: visibility of the action for the crowd and TV; a course layout that challenges the riders; a layout that, in short, provides entertainment and spectacle. Sort this out and a the riders will have nothing to complain about.

The American market is important to MotoGP. The establishment of a third USA-based race in the future proves this. History or not, in the end MotoGP does not owe anything to Indy. Indy must justify and prove itself in a packed MotoGP calendar. For me, a make-shift MotoGP course, even in ?the world?s most famous oval? does not cut the mustard.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/VvgnUF7UJkw/1319

Shinichi Itoh Olivier Jacque Yukio Kagayama Mika Kallio