2013 Texas MotoGP in doubt

It was thought that the new world-class race track in Austin, Texas, was a shoe-in for both MotoGP and F1 rounds in America but recent news has cast doubt over its contract.

The deal between the MotoGP and Formula One's owners was originally for a 10-year contract, but this was signed with the Texas race track's promoter Tavo Hellmund, who is now no longer at the head of the table.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has signed a new deal with the American race track's new promoter and president Steve Sexton, but the same cannot be said for MotoGP.

The first MotoGP race was originally scheduled for 2013, but this is still in doubt as a new contract has not been signed.

Texan 500GP motorcycle champion Kevin Schwantz was reported in Austin newspaper The Statesman as having sent a letter to the circuit's president Steve Sexton, imploring him to renegotiate the deal:

"I urge you one final time to contact Mr. (Tavo) Hellmund about obtaining the rights to host a MotoGP race in Texas, after which I would be glad to open discussions with you as the new promoter. If you have not obtained such rights from Full Throttle, then unfortunately Circuit of the Americas will not be included as a round of the FIM Grand Prix Road Racing World Championship."

Sexton sent a non-committal response to the newspaper via email which sounds as though he wants more money/rights. It's likely that if a deal with MotoGP is not formalised, World Superbikes may fill the motorcycle void for the Texas circuit.

"We are in discussions with several major race series who have reached out to us, and our confidence is high that three to five major world-class events, including a two-wheel championship, will be on the 2013 schedule — and that these races will take place under terms favorable to the Circuit and the series owners," wrote Sexton.