Indianapolis Motor Speedway to modify MotoGP track
Changes in slower turns in addition to complete repaving aimed at improving straight speeds and braking zones.
After taking up its option to host a MotoGP race for 2014, Indianapolis Motor Speedway announced that it will be revising portions of the infield road course used for the event. According to a track map provided by IMS, turns two, three, four, seven, and the final 15-16 combination leading onto the front straight will be changed to create more passing opportunities. The track will increase slightly in length from 2.620 to 2.645, indicating that the aforementioned turns will be opened up in radius to increase speeds and create larger passing zones in the following turns. The course will also be completely repaved to provide a smoother and more even racing surface. These two changes are aimed at tackling the main complaints leveled at the IMS MotoGP course by the riders over the past few years.
IMS also announced that it would be hosting an additional IndyCar auto race (the other being the famed Indy 500), utilizing a slightly different infield road course than either the existing or future MotoGP circuit. By hosting another auto race, IMS is looking to help amortize the cost of the repaving on both courses that will surely be in the eight-figure region. There is also a somewhat controversial $100 million Indiana state government subsidy designated for IMS that is currently in the process of being approved that is probably part of that amortization as well.
The date of the race has also been changed. Instead of its usual mid-September date, the Indy MotoGP even will now be on August 10.
