New Delhi: MotoGP, India’s top competition in motorcycle racing, may debut in the winter of 2023 provided everything goes according to plan. The deal between MotoGP’s commercial rights holder Dorno and Noida-based race promoter Fairstreet Sports is likely to be signed next week. Dorna Managing Director Carlos Azpeleta and CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta will be in the national capital on Wednesday and are expected to make an official announcement regarding the Grand Prix of India.
The competition is expected to be held on the Buddh International Circuit, which once hosted the Formula One Grand Prix, but had to be called off due to financial, tax, and bureaucratic constraints. Only after the signing of an agreement between the MotoGP rights company and the race promoter will the track be inspected by motorsport’s top FIH track. Pushkar Nath, COO, Fairstreet Sports, told PTI that he has completed preparations for the prestigious race and has also taken into account what went wrong with Formula One nine years ago.
Nath said, “India is the largest two-wheeler market in the world. Everyone has an affinity for bikes. Moto Grand Prix is one of the most watched sporting events. Akbar Ibrahim, President of the Motor Sport Federation of India FMSCI, said, “We have taken all precautionary measures to race in India. We have taken all steps to ensure that we can race in India for the long haul. We are trying to have a winter race in India next year.”
“I mentioned recently in our Annual General Meeting (AGM) that talks are going on between the two sides and we have been taken into confidence. I have also had a meeting with the race promoter. They know what they are doing and what needs to be done to successfully organize a competition of this level.” Ibrahim said, “I hope that the master agreement between Dorna and Fairstreet will be signed soon and then we can move on to the inspection of the track and organizing the race. Government support will be important here.”
Around 5000 people work on weekends during MotoGP, which also includes races in Moto Two and Moto Three in the junior category. The race will not only put Uttar Pradesh on the global map but is also expected to give a boost to tourism. Nath said the race would not have been possible without the government’s support and he was grateful to both the state and central governments for helping bring the event to India.
“It is like hosting the Commonwealth Games in which 5000 people are working only in the race, the fans and everyone else is different from it. The Bharatiya Janata Party government, both in the state and at the Centre, is helping a lot.” Nath said, “They also want to promote tourism in India. People will come from Europe and other parts of the world and it will be broadcast live in 200 countries.”
