MotoGP riders’ views are mixed on IMS

MotoGP riders Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden were at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last weekend for an up-close look at NASCAR, but they also discussed the facility's reconfigured road course that will be used Sept. 12-14 for the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.

The veterans had mixed feelings about the final turn that will put the motorcycles on the front straightaway of the oval (near the fourth turn). Hayden said it's a suitable transition; Edwards wants to see it in action before he decides.

"By the time you get to accelerating and get out toward the curb, you're going to be well over 100 mph, and that wall comes up pretty tight," Edwards said. "But that's something that can always be changed during the (race) weekend if some guys have a problem with it. It's better to be safe than sorry."

"It was always an issue coming onto the straight with the banking. Daytona is really bad because you actually use part of the oval . . . but that won't be a problem here," he said. "The banking is not that steep."