Moto GP...all change

at the Circuit of Wales

John Newman

• JohnNewman

The labyrinthine rider and team politics involved in all the Moto GP classes can be fascinating. But us rank and file fans only get to skim the surface of what lies beneath, mainly concerned with who goes where, what team gets what bike and parts, and the sponsors that come and go.
On 2nd of September a press release from Silverstone Circuit pinged into my inbox announcing a change of venue for next years British round in the Moto GP calendar. I don't follow this section of our sport in great detail, but I am an enthusiastic sofa spectator through the BT Sport coverage, and during the programme on 31st August there were various hints about this from the commentary and punditry team, which the press release then confirmed.

From next year the British round will be staged by 'The Circuit of Wales'. Having agreed a five year contract with the owners of Moto GP, Dorna – there's an option for another five years in the contract too.
The Circuit of Wales? Does it exist? Where is it?
The circuit is a bold new venture to try and revitalise an economically depressed part of South Wales. An area that was once at the heart of UK industrial output with coal mines, steel works and factories such as the big Hoover plant in Methyr Tydfill. All closed, and with little in the way of replacement employment.
When it's constructed, the circuit will cover 830 acres in Blaenau Gwent, a scenic area known as 'the heads of the valleys' bordering the Brecon Beacons National Park area. The £315 million initiative is being led and supported by the Heads of The Valleys Development Company, and it is ambitious in its scope, facilities and employment opportunities.  
The main circuit will be 3.5 miles in length and it is planned to take advantage of the topography of the land on which it is built. Which I believe means it will go up and down, and not be like those bland 'scalelectrix' tracks that have been constructed in places such as Qatar. The whole complex is ambitious in its overall scope and when construction is complete will also include motocross, trials and enduro venues, an international kart circuit and driver training facilities.

A motorcycle race academy will be part of the plan too; which Dorna have welcomed as it can be linked to their FIM CEV Repsol series www.fimcevrepsol.com This the innovative series that takes place across Spanish circuits and Le Mans allowing young racers from fourteen years old to obtain experience right through the racing classes. This the series that consistently produces those riders you see at the front of the grid and heading the field.

The Moto GP circus is due to land at the Circuit of Wales in 2016. In the meantime the 2015 race, managed by the new circuit team, will return to the old favourite Donnington Park. All this to the obvious disappointment of the Silverstone people who indicate in their press release how much they have invested in their circuit and facilities especially for Moto GP.  
Money talks, and the Silverstone people make some pointed comments alluding to what might be a 'better price' offered by the new management in Wales:
“We wanted to keep Moto GP at Silverstone, but couldn't afford to subsidise it”
“We made what we considered to be the maximum sensible offer to retain the event at Silverstone...”
Race fans, the public, etc will probably never know what the figures are, commercial sensibilities being what they are, and Dorna, having owned major motorcycle championships since 1992, will be no slouches when it comes to negotiations with circuits, TV coverage etc.
Change happens, life goes on etc. Let's hope that all the plans set out in the numerous documents on the Circuit of Wales website are followed through it should provide us with an outstanding motorcycle venue.  
John Newman for Wemoto News
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