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Silverstone to host MotoGP from 2010

Silverstone  Circuits  Limited  has  announced  that,  following  the  signing  of  a five  year agreement with Dorna Sports (the commercial rights holder for MotoGP), the world famous Northamptonshire circuit will host the British Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) from 2010.

MotoGP is the pinnacle of two-wheeled racing and features the best riders and fastest race bikes  in  the  world.  Richard  Phillips,  Managing  Director  of Silverstone  Circuits  Limited,  is thrilled to see top flight motorcycle racing back on the calendar at the Home of British Motor Racing. Phillips  commented, “Silverstone is the UK’s premier motor racing venue and we are thoroughly looking forward to hosting the world’s premier motorcycle racing event from 2010. We have worked closely with Dorna Sports to bring MotoGP to Silverstone and both parties are extremely excited about the opportunity to take this world-class event to another level.

“Silverstone is a unique UK race circuit; rich in heritage and unrivalled in terms of what we are able to offer fans, championships and teams. The Grand Prix circuit offers a combination of high speed straights and technical corners, presenting a real challenge to the riders, while the facilities for teams and spectators are second to none.

“The circuit is also recognised as being one of the most easily accessible in the world. All of these factors, along with Silverstone’s vast experience of hosting world class international events, contributed to MotoGP coming to Silverstone.” Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, commented, “We are delighted that the MotoGP World Championship is returning to Silverstone as of 2010. The venue has excellent facilities and a circuit with a great heritage, having hosted some superb Grand Prix racing in the 1970s and 1980s. We are sure that MotoGP’s visits to the UK will continue to be highly successful when we make the historic move back to Silverstone next year.”

Silverstone officials have been working closely with the FIM whose representatives have visited the circuit on several occasions. Alterations will be made to the circuit layout in order to comply with FIM regulations, while improvements to several spectator viewing areas are also planned.

Full details of all track and venue changes will be announced in due course. Having  hosted  the  FIM  Road  Racing  World Championship  (MotoGP) between  1977  and 1986,  and  rounds  of  the  World  Superbike  Championship until  2007, Silverstone  is  no stranger  to  staging  international  two-wheeled events. Few who saw it will ever forget the classic battle  between Barry Sheene and Kenny  Roberts at Silverstone in 1979. The Northamptonshire venue  has  also  been a  regular host of rounds of the British Superbike Championship.