Australia to Lose 2012 MotoGP Date?

After fears were raised recently about the possibility of Australia missing out on the Formula 1 calendar in the near future, now another premier racing series is on the verge of throwing the Aussie continent outside their annual schedule. We're talking about the MotoGP.

Amid recent disruptions to the Australian Grand Prix (at Phillip Island) caused by the weather, MotoGP commercial rights-holder Carmelo Ezpeleta has given the organizers of the race an ultimatum: whether they move the race earlier in the MotoGP calendar, or they will not get to host another race in the series.

“Our position has not changed at all,” said Ezpeleta recently, according to the Australian Associated Press. “We want the race moving to earlier in the year for 2012, and the corporation is aware of our position,” he added, while insisting that the recent flooding in the country that affected last year's event is not the only reason for this decision.

“[Corporation chairman] Ron Walker told me in an email that he would come back to me as soon as possible with dates for 2012. In 2010, we were very close to canceling the race. If all the weekend the weather was like Friday, which could happen, then we cannot run the event.”

The Dorna boss added that this decision was reached also based on the riders' feedback, as the current October date of the event (and the cold weather related to it) affects many components of the MotoGP racing, like grip or tire temperature.

“This is the matter we are discussing, and it is not just the rain, but the problem at Phillip Island is rain and the cold and then the tires are not up to temperature. The riders have strongly requested to us to change the date.”

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation is yet to issue an official response to Dorna.