Laguna Seca: USGP Is On, Baby

[Alex Toropov]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2004/Aug/040819jk.htm

great news for Moto Grand Prix, but it seems WSB will go away from North America

[gomick]

**** laguna seca - the corkscrew is all that saves this track from being totally boring

Edit for autocensor dogde. Naughty naughty gomick

[f1manoz]

I'm against MotoGP going to Laguna Seca on safety concerns. Sure, they say modifications will be done, but considering that half the tracks they race on now are only adequately safe due to the speed of these new machines, I dread to think of the carnage that could happen at Laguna.

I'd like for the FIM to take a look around at other circuits before just lumping for Laguna.

[BootsOntheSide]

I suspect they've chosen it because Superbikes have been so successful there - they gain an established race on a much-loved and thrilling circuit, PLUS their main rival loses one.

Laguna hasn't had any more severe accidents than any other WSBK track, so I'm not sure it's a huge risk, especially as they've got good run-offs and no real risk of rain.

[luke]

Great news already looking forward to the event, Motogp needed a race in North America.

[Junior Senior]

No 250 or 125cc races at Laguna.......

[FIRE]

Originally posted by Junior Senior
No 250 or 125cc races at Laguna.......

Strange? (or not?)

[gomick]

maybe ama superbikes will be a support - is wsb going to laguna in 05 , ama usually are support acts there too....

seems interesting that 125 & 250 arent going, but maybe the FIM know how fickle the american crowds can be and only need to take the BIG moto gp bikes to laguna....

[FIRE]

Aren't there 125cc and 250cc championships in the US?

I was also thinking AMA will be a support class.

[BootsOntheSide]

It's the only race Supersport (the main support class to Superbikes) doesn't go to. It's traditionally ran as a double-header with the AMA (America's top superbike championship), and it's often featured Wild Cards competing in both. This obviously won't happen in MotoGP, but the two races together would ignite US support. It's sad that the whole tradition of running multiple classes on teh same bill is being sacrificed for the US market, but that's the way it has to be.

[gomick]

ama dont have a 125cc chamionship - they do have a 250cc championship which colin edwards won 2 or 3 times during the early 90's

[chunder]

Don't think AMA have a 250 series anywmore, think Rich Oliver won it lasyt year for smething like the tenth timemand that wrapped it up.

[gomick]

you could be right there chunder.... i knew rich did go back there after his stint in ama superbikes around 2000 - he seemed to dominate 250 cause he didnt race against anyone. probably a good idea that they got rid of it as most young americans ride in the supesport/superstock/xtreme classes

[In Your Corner]

2003 was the last season for AMA 250. Oliver swept the series, winning every race. 250's are more popular than ever at technical tracks, like Loudon (where I corner-marshal).

[Hazza]

Lets start praying that Suzuki America can get hold of an old bike for Mat Mladin

[gomick]

yeah, and keep hold of the bike for when they get to phillip island