RED BULL INDIANAPOLIS GP MotoGP RACE STAYING AT IMS THROUGH 2014
September 04, 2011 | By Paul Kelly
The Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP race will continue at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 2012-14 through an agreement reached between officials from IMS and Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder for MotoGP.
The fifth annual Red Bull Indianapolis GP – featuring the high-tech, 200-mph motorcycles and the world’s best riders of the MotoGP World Championship – is scheduled for Aug. 17-19, 2012, a week earlier than this year.
Tickets for the 2012 event can be purchased now by visiting
www.imstix.com, calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16
th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Existing customers can renew tickets at
www.imstix.com through Monday, Sept. 19.
“We’re happy to welcome back the exciting action and colorful, daring riders of MotoGP to IMS,” said Jeff Belskus, IMS president and chief executive officer. “This event brings a unique international flavor and style of racing to the Speedway that has become a solid, new tradition on our annual schedule. We’re excited about the event’s potential for continued growth into the future.”
MotoGP fans will see new machinery in the premier class in 2012. Riders will compete on 1000cc prototype motorcycles, with more speed and power than the 800cc machines used since 2007.
There also will be at least three Americans on the MotoGP starting grid for the fifth consecutive year at IMS: 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden, 2010 Rookie of the Year Ben Spies and Colin Edwards. Hayden and Spies each are two-time podium finishers in the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, and Spies won the pole for the 2010 race.
“It’s great news to hear that Indianapolis is going to stay on the calendar for another three years,” Spies said. “As every rider knows, there’s nothing more special than coming to a home race and putting it all on the line in front of your fans.
“I’ve had pretty exciting races there so far in GP, and there’s so much history at the Brickyard, it’s a pleasure to be a part of it. I hope it continues to be a platform to bring MotoGP to a bigger American audience.”
World Championship support classes Moto2 and the new Moto3 will return to IMS in 2012. Other support classes will be announced in the future.