MotoGP could be heading back to Brazil from 2021. Today, Dorna signed a memorandum of understanding with Rio Motorsports, a Brazilian motorsports company, to organize a Brazilian round of MotoGP at a new facility to be built in Rio De Janeiro. If the circuit gets built and the project proceeds to the next phase, it would see Grand Prix motorcycle racing head to Brazil for the first time since 2004.
Though the agreement between Dorna and Rio Motorsports is good news for Brazilian (and South American) MotoGP fans, there is still a long way to go before this could actually happen. The agreement signed is nothing more than a statement of intent, Dorna showing goodwill towards a project that is only just getting off the ground. A circuit has yet to be built, and more importantly, the financing for it has to be found.
If the project does go forward, then Dorna will be delighted to be able to organize another race in South America. Brazil has a long history of motorsports, and a huge interest in MotoGP. Having a track near Rio De Janeiro would be good for Dorna and for the manufacturers, who sell a lot of motorcycles in Brazil and the rest of South America. It would also add a second South American race nearer a major city, rather than out in the pampas, as the Termas De Rio Hondo race is.
Below is the press release announcing the preliminary agreement:
MotoGP™ could return to Brazil in 2021
A new track in the metropolis of Rio de Janeiro looks set to join the calendar from 2021
Dorna Sports is delighted to announce the signing of a preliminary agreement with Rio Motorsports, putting initial plans in place for a new event to join the MotoGP™ calendar from 2021: the Brazilian GP.
The host venue for the event would be a new track constructed in the bustling metropolis of Rio de Janeiro, one of the most famous and vibrant cities in the Americas. If homologated, the circuit would then potentially would join the MotoGP™ calendar as early as 2021 – bringing the world’s fastest motorcycle racing Championship back to Brazil.
“People from Rio have always received MotoGP events with great enthusiasm. We are pleased with Dorna's serious interest in going back to Brazil and their trust in promoting the race at the racetrack we hope will be built in the city. Rio de Janeiro has a vocation to receive major motorsports events, with the same level of expertise shown with major sport and cultural events held in the city,” commented JR Pereira, COO, Rio Motorsports.
“We would be thrilled to see MotoGP return to Brazil and this memorandum of understanding is fantastic news for the Championship and South American fans,” says Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports. “We have a truly global sport, paddock and grid and to add another country to our calendar – especially one such as Brazil – is always something to aspire to. It would be a pleasure for MotoGP to race in a country and continent known for its passion and incredible atmosphere.”
Based in Rio de Janeiro, Rio Motorsport is a company whose focus is to invest and develop Brazilian motorsports. With local and international investors, it has the primary purpose of building and exploring new racetracks in Brazil, taking part in public calls in Rio de Janeiro. Developing a new race track with international standards to replace Jacarepaguá racetrack is a commitment made by Brazilian authorities before the IOC (International Olympic Committee) as the former race track was dismantled to become an Olympic Park for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Jacarepaguá track received MotoGP events between 1995 and 2004.
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