Credit Crunch hits Rookies Cup
Added on Friday, January 16th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Credit Crunch hits Rookies Cup
The credit crunch has hit MotoGP’s young-guns as the 2009 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup was trimmed to just eight races whilst the Red Bull AMA U.S Cup has been cancelled.
Four races will be dropped from the 2009 MotoGP Rookies Cup calendar to leave just eight races over six rounds next year, with double headers at Jerez and Brno. Dropped from the calendar are the rounds at Indianapolis and Estoril, although the Portuguese circuit will hold an official test. The British round will take place at Donington Park ahead of the British Grand Prix on July 26.
The AMA series, which acts as an undercard event in the American Superbike Championship, has been scrapped with immediate effect.
The drop-out of a major backer in the series, in response to the global economic downturn, is reportedly behind the decision and although Red Bull have shouldered much of the financial burden to cover the technical and operational costs of the championship, cutbacks have been required to keep the single-class KTM 125 series alive.
A statement from the series organisers read: “This is not a happy situation for anyone concerned.
“The positive is that the Rookies Cup will continue and the aim remains to give as many riders as possible the chance to progress towards the highest level of Grand Prix racing. Red Bull wished to thank Alpinestars and Dorna for their unwavering support in these difficult circumstances and deeply regrets the unavoidable disappointment that this brings, particularly to those involved in the U.S. Cup.
The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Schedule:
May 2-3: Jerez – Spain (two races)
May 30: Mugello – Italy
June 27: Assen – Netherlands
July 18: Sachsenring – Germany
July 25: Donington – England
August 15-16: Brno – Czech Republic (two races)
Two pre season tests each lasting two days are planned.
March 26-27: Estoril – Portugal
March 30-31: Jerez – Spain
