Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca loses 2014 MotoGP race

The United States had an unprecedented this year in 2013, hosting three rounds of the MotoGP World Championship but next year’s calendar, released by series owners Dorna, does not include Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The championship will now travel to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas and to Indianapolis later in the year.

While speculation was rife throughout the year that one US round would be dropped from, surprise was expressed within the International Motorcycle sports community. The 2014 championship will be contested over 19 rounds with new races being introduced at Autódromo Termas de Rio Hondo in Argentina and another South American round at the Brasilia circuit in Brazil although the circuit remains to be homologated.

General Manager and CEO of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Gill Campbell released a statement regarding the loss of the MotoGP race and thanked all those who supported the circuit throughout the years that between MotoGP legends like Mick Doohan, Wayne Rainey, Wayne Gardiner, Kevin Schwantz, Valentino Rossi and many more grace the Californian asphalt.

The statement reads, “For 25 years, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has served as the “home” for Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the United States, having staged 15 world championship Grands Prix since 1988. Unfortunately, and in spite of loyal support from fans, sponsors and media, there will not be a 16th U.S. Grand Prix in 2014. At this time, the U.S. is only able to support two MotoGP events. The support provided by the states of Texas and Indiana make it difficult for us, as a not-for-profit, to currently compete.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca extends its gratitude to all those whose combined efforts made the U.S. Grand Prix such an iconic event; it took all of you – fans, sponsors, motorcycle community, media, volunteers and, not the least, Dorna Sports. Our pledge to you is to work diligently to return the MotoGP World Championship to Monterey, Calif., in the very near future.”