Japanese Grand Prix gets go ahead

The Twin Ring Motegi MotoGP round, rescheduled for October 2 after a devastating earthquake struck Japan earlier this year, will go ahead as planned.

Fears over radiation contamination in the area surrounding the Twin Ring Motegi have been allayed after the FIM and Dorna released the preliminary findings of an independent report to check whether it was safe for the race to be run.

ARPA, the independent agency commissioned to carry out the study, handed over its findings during last weekend’s US Grand Prix following a thorough investigation of radiation levels from all sources including the air, environment and food.

In a statement released by the FIM today, it said: ‘The final conclusion is that “based on the estimate dose it can be said with no doubt that the radiation risk during the race event is negligible”.

Paranoia and fear has gripped some people in the paddock who were reluctant to travel to Japan for the race because of radiation fears following the extensive damage suffered to the Fukushima nuclear plant after a powerful earthquake struck Japan in March.

World championship leader Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo have both gone public stating regardless of whether the race is declared on, they would not travel.
MCN understands both have been threatened with legal action for breach of contract by Honda and Yamaha if their stance doesn’t change.

All riders apart from Hiroshi Aoyama signed a petition saying they were against travelling to the Twin Ring Motegi.

Honda, Ducati and Suzuki all told MCN in Laguna Seca last weekend that if the race is on, they expected their rider’s to honour contracts.

Here’s the FIM statement in full: ‘The FIM and Dorna Sports SL recently commissioned an independent report by a recognised body to investigate the current situation in Japan, in advance of the Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi which is scheduled to take place on 2 October. This study is intended to complement the information already available from various Governments and the World Health Organisation, which addresses the general situation in Japan following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that occurred in March.

‘This independent investigation reports specifically on the situation in Motegi and its environs, making it much more relevant to MotoGP participants. The official detailed report will be delivered later this week, but a preliminary report has already been made available – with an original version in Italian and an English translation provided by the Championship organisers. ARPA, the agency commissioned for this report, has measured levels of radiation from all sources including the air, environment and food.

‘The final conclusion is that “based on the estimate dose it can be said with no doubt that the radiation risk during the race event is negligible”. Based on this information the FIM and Dorna Sports will announce later this week that, subject to there being no further serious incidents, the Grand Prix of Japan will take place on 2 October as planned.’