Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

AMA Pro Racing is planning to hold a small test on the infield road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The test is tentatively scheduled for October 1, the Wednesday following the September 28 FIA Formula One car race at the famed “Brickyard.”

Austin Ducati and Erion Honda are the only teams expected to attend.

“We’ve said we will,” said Erion Honda team owner Kevin Erion Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, “but we’re waiting for the AMA to come back and say OK. There are still a few ducks they had to get in their row to make sure it could happen, but we agreed to go.”

Erion said only Jake Zemke would ride at the test, and he would only ride his Honda CBR954RR Formula Xtreme bike. “Because they are only interested in big-bike feedback,” said Erion.

“They want to see if it is doable, if it’s safe enough,” said Ducati Austin’s Vic Fasola.

AMA Pro Racing CEO Scott Hollingsworth, who is at Barber Motorsports Park, declined to comment on the test prior to post time.


Update: Hollingsworth has confirmed plans for a limited feasibility test on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s infield road course.

“We’ve been working with the facility now for two or three years,” said Hollingsworth Sunday in the media center at Barber Motorsports Park. “We went there before they laid it out. We’ve been watching its progress. We made comments at the time they designed it to make sure that it was adequate for motorcycles.

“There will be some issues that we’ve got to look at. We want to see bikes on the track to make sure it’s suitable. Most of the interior road portion we expect to be fine, and we’ve got plans to address the one kind of known issue.”

Hollingsworth said the “known issue” was the first turn on the speedway oval, which is taken in the opposite direction when the road course is utilized. The outside of the high-speed turn is lined with retaining walls.

Hollingsworth said a chicane has been designed and would be installed for any race at Indy but no chicane will be used during the proposed test.

“We just want to get them out there, take a look and make sure it’s something we can do if we’re presented the opportunity to,” said Hollingsworth.