Schwantz: MotoGP CEO served with subpoena

Motorcycling legend Kevin Schwantz said there is a new development in his lawsuit against Circuit of the Americas over the promotional rights to the MotoGP race that is in town this weekend.

In an email to the Statesman on Friday morning, Schwantz said, "I just received word from my attorney, Austin Tighe: I want to let you know that earlier this morning, over what I am told was a delicious Four Seasons’ breakfast, Carmelo Ezpeleta was served with a subpoena to appear for deposition in Austin on May 8 at 9:00 a.m."

Ezpeleta is the CEO of Spain-based Dorna, the rights holder for MotoGP. Dorna officials have not yet been reached for comment.

Schwantz filed suit in Travis County against the circuit last year, claiming the track and its president, Steve Sexton, went behind his back to cut a deal with Dorna to stage races at the circuit.

Schwantz claims he and his company had a 10-year contract with Dorna to promote MotoGP in Texas.

Circuit of the Americas filed a counter claim about a month later against Schwantz and his company, 3fourTexas.

The circuit claims 3fourTexas misrepresented its promotional rights to the circuit and Dorna, and that 3fourTexas was seeking, “a multi-million dollar excess fee over Dorna’s fee to promote MotoGP."

The rift widened in March when Schwantz said officials told him to leave a private testing session for several MotoGP teams at the Southeast Austin track.