Texas to be included on 2013 MotoGP calendar?
A ten-year MotoGP deal, starting in 2013, was originally announced last April and followed hot on the heels of an agreement between the Texan circuit and Formula One.
But both agreements were put in doubt by a series of 'complications', most significantly the departure of original promoter Tavo Hellmund.
F1 subsequently reached a new arrangement directly with the circuit owners and will make its race debut this November.
However a similar agreement is yet to be reached for MotoGP.
That could be about to change with Dorna confirming to the American-Statesman that it is 'in negotiations with the Circuit of the Americas about a race in 2013'.
No further details were given but Ignacio Sagnier, Dorna's communications manager, added that a provisional version of the 2013 MotoGP calendar is likely to be released at the forthcoming San Marino Grand Prix, from September 14-16.
Despite confirmation of the negotiations, Circuit of the Americas chairman Bobby Epstein remains noncommittal about MotoGP:
"We are excited by the strong interest we're seeing from a variety of motorsport series and are in the process of evaluating the 2013 calendar. We're optimistic that we'll reach our goal of offering fans a full schedule of major events,” he wrote in an email to the American-Statesman.
Static for several seasons, the 2013 MotoGP calendar should see several notable changes.
In addition to Austin's planned arrival, MotoGP will return to Argentina for the first time since 1999 at the new Termas de Rio Hondo track, with a new Indian event also possible.
Among the rounds in doubt for 2013 are the Spanish-based Jerez, Catalunya and Valencia events (Aragon's contract until 2016 seems safe), plus the Portuguese round at Estoril.
While the existing American rounds at Indianapolis and Laguna Seca both have MotoGP contracts until 2014, Austin's arrival could put one of the events in jeopardy.
Indianapolis recently announced that it is confirmed for 2013, putting the spotlight on Laguna Seca.
The Austin F1 Grand Prix will take place from November 16-18.
