MotoGP Contract Extended to 2014

The sound of MotoGP race bikes will continue to reverberate from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca at least through 2014, as Dorna Sports, organizers of the MotoGP World Championship, agreed to a five-year extension of the contract previously slated to end after the 2009 race.

The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix featuring the MotoGP World Championship is Northern California’s largest motorsports event since it debuted in 2005. MotoGP bikes are purpose-built prototype race bikes made by competing manufacturers Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Ducati. Last year’s race winner, Australian Casey Stoner, also went on to win the World Championship. The “Kentucky Kid," American Nicky Hayden, won the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix in 2005 and 2006.

“This is tremendous news on so many levels," said Gill Campbell, CEO of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “MotoGP is the world’s premier motorcycle racing series, and we now have the pleasure of hosting it for the next six years. Everyone from the fans, to the track, to the local community will benefit greatly from this extension."

“We couldn’t have this contract extension without the assistance of our major sponsors including Red Bull, Parts Unlimited and, of course, Yamaha, who funded the major track improvements that have allowed us to continue hosting MotoGP," said Campbell.

“We are pleased to continue the relationship between the MotoGP World Championship and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca," said Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna CEO. “The facility has gone to great lengths to improve the experience for both fans and riders, and we look forward to continuing to racing on the Monterey Peninsula for years to come.

The biggest event on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s 2008 schedule – the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix – attracted more than 140,000 fans in 2007. This year’s race takes place July 18-20 and includes support races from AMA Superbike, Supersport and Red Bull U.S. Rookies Cup.

Tickets for next month’s Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix are available by calling 1-800-327-SECA during normal business hours (8am–5pm PDT) or logging onto www.laguna-seca.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Event information is also available at www.redbullusgrandprix.com.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was established in 1957. The world-renowned raceway has been operated since its inception by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP), a not-for-profit 501C(4) corporation. Each race season, SCRAMP donates its net proceeds to the volunteer groups that help put on the races.