After the announcement that Laguna Seca would hold a US round of the MotoGP World Championship (read it here), it was clear that the track owners would need to work quickly to bring the facility up to MotoGP safety standards. The big question was who would pay for expensive changes to the track layout, including relocating walls and other efforts to increase runoff area.
Well, the answer is Yamaha. According to the following press release from Laguna Seca, Yamaha will fund all improvements necessary for FIM homologation at Laguna Seca.
MONTEREY, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2004) – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is stepping up to fund the track safety improvements required by the Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM) to homologate the track for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, round nine of 17 in the 2005 MotoGP World Championship.
In addition to sponsoring the track improvements, Yamaha is serving as the official motorcycle at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and as a “Proud Sponsor” of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix through 2007.
“We’re thrilled by the interest from Yamaha in particular and the motorcycle community overall in this event coming to the U.S.,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Yamaha’s generosity has made it possible to bring the MotoGP World Championship back to the USA for the fans to enjoy.”
“Helping bring the MotoGP World Championship back to the U.S. was an excellent opportunity for us to show our appreciation for our customers and fans,” said Bob Starr, corporate communications manager, at Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. “And since this race corresponds with Yamaha’s 50th anniversary, we could think of no better way to celebrate than with over 100,000 U.S. fans.”
Plans for the track improvements were completed in concert with Claude Danis, president and circuit inspector for the FIM, and the necessary permits are being obtained. Work is scheduled to begin in November, with the first phase to increase runoff area in Turn 9 (Rainey Curve). The Turn 9 bridge will be moved Dec. 22 through 24 to an area between Turns 8A and 9. The track will remain open during this phase of construction.
Other changes being made to the circuit include widening the front straight by moving the outside (riders’ right) wall back and increasing the run-off area in several turns, including Turn 2 (Andretti Hairpin). These changes will be made when the track is shut down completely from May 2-June 15. The paddock will remain operational during this time.
Tickets for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix are on sale now. General admission tickets and a limited number of paddock passes are on sale via the track’s ticket office – 1-800-327-SECA (7322) – during normal business hours or online at www.laguna-seca.com/Tickets.
Support events for the 2005 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix have yet to be determined.
More information on MotoGP World Championship is available online at www.motogp.com.
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca information is available online at www.laguna-seca.com.
Yamaha information is available online at www.yamaha-motor.com.
