Texas on MotoGP calendar from 2013

A MotoGP race will take place at the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas from 2013 onwards.

The circuit has signed a ten-year deal with MotoGP rights holders Dorna and the event will feature MotoGP, Moto2 and the new Moto3 class.

The addition of a 10-year MotoGP deal is coupled with the already scheduled 10-year deal to host the US F1 GP at the Circuit of the Americas, which is currently under construction.

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta said: “We are delighted to be adding the Circuit of the Americas to the MotoGP calendar. It’s an honour to expand our championship to Texas, which has a rich history of producing world championship riders.

“We have had a wonderful and special relationship with Kevin Schwantz for twenty years and often talked about a mutual dream of increasing the popularity of MotoGP in the US and raising our already successful worldwide profile.

“Now, with what Tavo Hellmund (Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions) is doing in Austin, we have realised that situation and are looking forward to this new venture together.

“The 10-year agreement is a sign of our confidence and commitment to the future success of MotoGP racing in Austin.”

Schwantz has played a key role in bringing MotoGP to his home state and the 1993 world 500cc champion said he was thrilled that the likes of Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner would be racing in Texas in 2013.

The former Lucky Strike Suzuki rider said: “For me this is a dream come true, that the FIM MotoGP World Championship will be in my home state of Texas. I am such a believer in the sport and know how popular motorcycling is in Texas.

“I am sure that this will be a resounding long-term success America currently hosts two MotoGP races at Laguna Seca and Indianapolis. It is unlikely that three races will be staged in the States, with Indianapolis probably the most vulnerable.

Laguna Seca, located in the spectacular Monterey hills in California, has a contract to host the US Grand Prix race until the end of 2014.

But the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway only has a contract in place for the 2011 MotoGP world championnship.