GP in the US??

Has anyone heard the rumor about GP coming to the US in '05? Possibly down South somewhere.

It all rumors so far... I have heard Road America, Laguna Seca, and Barber to be the most likely to put in a bid... stay tuned..

Wouldn't Road America make the most sense? It's the longest track with the highest speeds. Barber is beautiful and would be a great setting - but it is too short and speeds aren't as great as Laguna or Road America.

I don't think Road America would fit the Safety or spectator standards of the FIM would it?

It was being rumered that Barber was going to get it, but now they are leaning towards Laguna Seca. Laguna is such a conteder now they are going to fix some afety issues just to get it. I think the turnout would be a bit higher in Laguna as well considering the AMA/SBK race gets around 90-95,000 fans just for that.

Originally posted by r1rider871 It was being rumered that Barber was going to get it, but now they are leaning towards Laguna Seca. Laguna is such a conteder now they are going to fix some afety issues just to get it. I think the turnout would be a bit higher in Laguna as well considering the AMA/SBK race gets around 90-95,000 fans just for that. It's said to be between Laguna and Barber. But no one knows who will front the $1 million dollars it will take to get Laguna up to MotoGP specs. Barber is already ready to go...

It was already offered to Barber but they turned it down for now due to lack of time to prepare for it.

barber does not have the amount of garages needed to host a gp....that was another thing.

Originally posted by MotoGP Boy barber does not have the amount of garages needed to host a gp....that was another thing. Oh yeah, forgot about the garage problem...:2bitchsla

Schwantz: Barber Wrong Place For USGP thinks a usgp at road america would work ... by dean adams Tuesday, June 08, 2004 1993 500 world champion Kevin Schwantz does not expect the USGP to happen at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama, and sounds as if his inner speed-junkie will be feeling very unfufilled if the race does indeed happen. Speaking at the recent Road America national, Schwantz said, "There is no possible way that Barber can host a USGP in its current configuration. Like Jason Pridmore recently said, the first time he went there he was astounded that people were calling the place safe. "I think Barber's is a great facility and is beautiful. The museum is great and for spectators to see as much of the track as they can from one point is great. But, I think, as far as a place to bring MotoGP, it is absolutely, by no means even a choice. You'll never get to see that awesome display of power that a MotoGP bike has, the acceleration and top speed. The qualities that make you appreciate what a MotoGP bike does. " Schwantz continued, saying watching a MotoGP bike on the Barber track may be like watchiing a thoroughbred with three legs. "Mladin rides his Superbike there, GSX-R1000, and he uses first, second and touches third gear twice on a hot lap. He does just two little blips in third. Other than that he's in first and second for an entire lap." "I know they'd pack them in and it would be a huge race because it's been so long since a GP has been here. But I don't think it's the right place. "Is there a right place? I hear about Laguna talking about modifications, but as a rider I always used to hate Laguna. It's just a strange track, technical, that I had a hard time finding a rhythm at. I don't think Laguna is a good spot for a USGP." I think Road America has the best possibility. I think it's fast, it's long, it's flowing, and it has some nice tight sections in the back. Good places to pass. I came here in 1993 or 1994 to give them some ideas on what to do in order to make the track better. They made a few of the changes, then there was some talk about the track being too long, they wanted to shorten it ... regardless I think Elkhart could be a great place. "

If im not mistaking Schwantz ran GP at Laguna Seca, so Im guessing Laguna Seca was once used. I dont see why they wouldnt use it again. I got my info from HERE (http://www.kevin-schwantz.com/kevins_gp_data.htm )