Motegi MotoGP race will not be replaced if it is called off

The 2011 Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi will not be replaced if organizers decide to call off the race, Carmelo Ezpeleta (CEO of MotoGP rights holders Dorna Sports) has confirmed. After the shattering effects of a tsunami in March, the likelihood of the event going ahead has been reduced due to the challenging circumstances in the country.

"We will wait for the decisions of the local promoters," Ezpeleta is quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "But in any case, should they decide to give up the race for this year, there would be no replacement.

"A national championship race is scheduled there in July, which means that at that time the venue should be usable. By then we should be certain on what we'll do."

"I have full confidence in the Japanese and if they tell us the race can go ahead, then we'll be 1000 percent sure we'll be safe. If the situation isn't clear, I'm certain they'll be the first at evaluating the situation appropriately."