Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

This just in, from Tony Bell:

I would like to comment on the suggestion that Homestead is the best option for a USGP. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe all the venues looked at by Dorna and its representatives are ISC (NASCAR) racetracks and first let me immediately point out that I am a NASCAR fan.

In 1997 I approached Dorna through MotoGP commentator Denis Noyes to see if it was possible to host a USGP at the Las Vegas Motorspeedway. Although not a full road race circuit the venue would be very attractive as Las Vegas is a destination resort city with more than adequate accommodation and the weather is almost guaranteed to be good. From a long-term perspective it was a good investment as the venue has easy access to the track from the freeway and additional “GP Week” events could be planned in conjunction with the race for non-sportbike riders similar to those at Daytona, i.e “bikes, boobs and fun in the sun.” All of these attributes would almost assure a crowd big enough to meet Dorna’s financial needs and still leave the promoter a chance of making profit. Also all of the Japanese manufacturers involved in GP have their American headquarters only a four-hour drive away which would provide an excellent staging area for the first date on the GP calendar or the last event of the year.

Dorna informed me that the speedway would not be suitable as GP venue because in the event of a crash on the oval there would only be access to downed riders or crashed bikes from one side of the track and that was not acceptable to Dorna or the FIM. I have not seen the layout for the track at Homestead but I am certain part of the oval would have to be used. If that is the case the criteria used to suggest Las Vegas would not be suitable must have changed completely. Perhaps Roadracing World could find out if this is the case.

Also I believe there was comment from some parties involved that Homestead is convenient because it was just a few hours from Europe. Surely “fly away” events as MotoGP call them must rely on the population of the host country for its attending spectators, so I am at a loss to see how the proximity of Europe has a bearing on the eligibility or suitability of the event. It is like saying Korea is close to Japan so it makes sense to have a GP there. If an oval track with an infield layout is suitable to Dorna and the FIM, Las Vegas is a far more suitable than Cal Speedway or even Daytona plus the venue is nothing short of fantastic for all the aforementioned non-racetrack activities. I don’t think Homestead comes close.

In a perfect world an ideal venue for a USGP would be a purpose built track with the same characteristics and topography as Philip Island, located next to a large area of water with no wind and 70-degree weather, but until then I think it looks like we will have to travel down to Cuba, oh sorry, I mean Homestead.