News 20 Aug 2013

Brazil in line to host second South American GP in 2014

MotoGP's South American expansion plans continue to be rolled out, with Brazil set to host a grand prix in the second half of 2014, a decade since the last time the sport visited the country.

Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet Brasilia is a provisional inclusion on the 2014 MotoGP schedule.

Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet Brasilia is a provisional inclusion on the 2014 MotoGP schedule.

MotoGP’s South American expansion plans continue to be rolled out, with Brazil set to host a grand prix in the second half of 2014, a decade since the last time the sport visited the country.

Dorna Sports chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta met with Brazilian authorities at the Autodromo Internacional Nelson Piquet Brasilia to announce the intentions.

Local authorities, including promoter IMX, will present an in-depth proposal to the sport’s Safety Commission at the Silverstone Grand Prix, outlining a short yet significant rebuild process to be undertaken over four months from December 2014.

“Brazil is one of the most important motorcycling markets in the world,” explained Ezpeleta. “It is in South America, so the time schedule is very good for the television coverage, but returning to Brazil has been a wish of the whole MotoGP family for many years and it is a very important matter for us.

“Until now it has been impossible because, as everybody knows, the most important thing for us is safety.”

Following the upgrades, the circuit will undergo final homologation from the FIM to confirm its inclusion on the calendar.

Brazil joins Argentina as the second South American nation set to host a Grand Prix in 2014.

“It is an important project for us,” added Ezpeleta. “Right now Brazil is involved in many big projects, such as the football World Cup and the Olympic Games, so it is also very important for them

“The promoter IMX which is one of the most important promoter companies in the world and of course the most important in South America; they are committed to doing a fantastic job.”

To make way for the new grands prix, it is expected both Spain and the United States will relinquish one of the events they currently hold.

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