Photo: MotoGP.com
No more Californian MotoGP action for 2014; Laguna Seca is no longer in the racing calendar for the next year. Despite some feeble declarations that the circuit owners might try a comeback, this remains strictly in the paddock rumors area.
Obviously, it all reduces to money, since motorcycle racing is a business, and riding is a job. But it looks like Laguna Seca was not making enough money from MotoGP and was forced to back off. Dorna Sports, the MotoGP rights owners were vocal this year, and openly said that 3 US rounds are a bit too much.
Though rumors initially say Indianapolis getting dropped, it appears like the Brickyard has more money than Laguna Seca does, especially as Dorna's fees will see a $800,000 (€590,000) hike in 2014.
According to the Monterey Herald, quoting the Mazda Raceway GM Gill Campbell, the MotoGP events did not turn out profits during the past 4 years. Campbel adds that putting up a MotoGP event takes around $9 million (€6.65 million) and without the state support the other two rounds receive (CotA and Indianapolis), Laguna Seca is unable to continue.
"That hadn't been expected, but the Indianapolis raceway received a $100 million Indiana state grant to make improvements for motorcycle racing. The Circuit of the Americas raceway in Austin receives $2 million in state tax credits. We can't compete with that. Here there are no tax credits or state subsidies," Campbell adds.
The Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a non-profit endeavor run by the Sports Car Association of the Monterey Peninsula. Campbell adds that MotoGP might come back, but seriously, with estimations such as "a year, two or three", we're not placing any bets so far.
It's South America hosting MotoGP racing again starting in 2014, anyway, Russia wants some action, too, so there's plenty to choose. Too bad for Laguna Seca, the track is sensational!
Though rumors initially say Indianapolis getting dropped, it appears like the Brickyard has more money than Laguna Seca does, especially as Dorna's fees will see a $800,000 (€590,000) hike in 2014.
According to the Monterey Herald, quoting the Mazda Raceway GM Gill Campbell, the MotoGP events did not turn out profits during the past 4 years. Campbel adds that putting up a MotoGP event takes around $9 million (€6.65 million) and without the state support the other two rounds receive (CotA and Indianapolis), Laguna Seca is unable to continue.
"That hadn't been expected, but the Indianapolis raceway received a $100 million Indiana state grant to make improvements for motorcycle racing. The Circuit of the Americas raceway in Austin receives $2 million in state tax credits. We can't compete with that. Here there are no tax credits or state subsidies," Campbell adds.
The Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a non-profit endeavor run by the Sports Car Association of the Monterey Peninsula. Campbell adds that MotoGP might come back, but seriously, with estimations such as "a year, two or three", we're not placing any bets so far.
It's South America hosting MotoGP racing again starting in 2014, anyway, Russia wants some action, too, so there's plenty to choose. Too bad for Laguna Seca, the track is sensational!
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