From a press release issued by Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca:

WORLD SUPER KARTS TO APPEAR ON MOTOGP CARD AT
MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA JULY 8-10, 2005

Past World and AMA Motorcycle Champions to Be Feted at January 12 Media Day

MONTEREY, Calif. (December 8, 2004) – World Super Karts will be a part of the incredible lineup when MotoGP makes its return to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca July 8-10, 2005, Gill Campbell, CEO/General Manager of the world-renowned circuit announced today.

Included on the preliminary entry list is a quartet of past World and American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) two-wheel champions who are scheduled to compete in the “Super Stars of Super Karts” event, as well as a practice session and Media Day Wednesday, January 12 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Super Kart event will be run on Saturday, July 9.

Wayne Rainey, who won three consecutive 500cc Grand Prix World Championship titles from 1990-1992, four-time world champion Eddie Lawson (1984, ’86, ’88 and ’89) and 1993 world champ Kevin Schwantz will be joined by three-time AMA Superbike champion Doug Chandler (1990, ’96 and ’97) at the test session and will be available for photos and interviews.

“World Super Karts have been immensely popular as they have competed at several of our events over the past couple of years,” Campbell said. “To have them join the MotoGP lineup only enhances an already incredible weekend. The entry list includes a number of European and Australia/New Zealand champions, as well as former World Grand Prix and AMA motorcycle champs.”

The 500cc Grand Prix World Championship (now MotoGP) raced at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from 1988 to 1994. There are once again a number of Americans competing in MotoGP, including Kenny Roberts Jr., who won the 2000 championship, Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards, John Hopkins and Kurtis Roberts. The July 8-10, 2005 event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will mark the first time the series has been on American soil since the last year at Laguna Seca in 1994.