Years of planning, building and of course promotion were
realized yesterday when performance motorcycles flew around
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time.
The MotoGP motorcycles kicked off a two day test around
the new 2.62-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course to
satisfy new tire rule amendments put in place at the end of
the 2007 season. The rule not only applies to circuits new
to the MotoGP calendar, but also tracks that have been
completely resurfaced.
The rule also specifies that 'no rider designated by a
MotoGP team will be permitted to take part in these tests',
consequently Ben Spies who will race as a wild-card at both
Laguna Seca and Indianapolis, was the only rider at the test
who will also take part in the race weekend.
Italian Niccolo Canepa was quickest on the first day of
the test, the impressive Bridgestone/Ducati test rider
steering his Desmosedici GP8 to a time of 1min, 44.1756secs
during 83 laps.
"Whenever a new circuit is introduced in the MotoGP calendar
for the first time or whenever an existing circuit is
totally resurfaced, then a tyre test of a maximum of 2 days
of duration must be organised at that circuit a minimum of 4
weeks prior to the race. This test will be open to all tyre
and motorcycle manufacturers competing in the MotoGP class,
but ."
Italian Niccolo Canepa was quickest on the first day of the test, the impressive Bridgestone/Ducati test rider steering his Desmosedici GP8 to a time of 1min, 44.1756secs during 83 laps.
The inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take place on
September 12-14.
