Brazil GP dropped from 2014 MotoGP calendar

MotoGP’s planned return to Brazil has been put on hold after the FIM officially confirmed it has been dropped from the definitive 2014 MotoGP calendar.

The event, which was planned to be held at the Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet circuit in the capital city Brasilia, was due to herald Brazil’s first MotoGP race since 2004 when the series raced in Rio de Janeiro at Jacarepaguá.

However, the venue – which is located close to Brasilia’s stadium for the upcoming FIFA World Cup – was always subject to homologation on provisional drafts of the calendar, with local rumours suggesting that construction to upgrade the grandstands and facilities was not on schedule.

As such, Brazil has been omitted from the final MotoGP calendar, with its original date of 28th September being granted to the Aragon Grand Prix, which moves a week from its original 21st September slot. It means the San Marino Grand Prix and the Aragon Grand will be two weeks apart, rather than there being three back-to-back races.

With Brazil not being replaced, the 2014 MotoGP calendar will once again comprise of 18 rounds and still include a new event in Argentina at the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo. Laguna Seca, however, has been removed.

Final 2014 MotoGP calendar (February 24 update):

Round 1: 23 March Qatar* Doha/Losail

Round 2: 13 April Americas Austin

Round 3: 27 April Argentina Termas de Rio Hondo

Round 4: 04 May Spain Jerez de la Frontera

Round 5: 18 May France Le Mans

Round 6: 1 June Italy Mugello

Round 7: 15 June Catalunya Barcelona – Catalunya

Round 8: 28 June Netherlands** TT Assen

Round 9: 13 July Germany Sachsenring

Round 10: 10 August Indianapolis GP Indianapolis

Round 11: 17 August Czech Republic Brno

Round 12: 31 August Great Britain Silverstone

Round 13: 14 September San Marino & Riviera di Rimini Marco Simoncelli Misano

Round 14: 28 September Aragon MotorLand Aragon

Round 15: 12 October Japan Motegi

Round 16: 19 October Australia Phillip Island

Round 17: 26 October Malaysia Sepang

Round 19: 09 November Valencia Ricardo Tormo-Valencia

* Evening Race

** Saturday Race

On Facebook? ‘Like’ the official Crash.net page to receive news directly to your timeline…

http://ift.tt/1dptLhQ