Track Focus: Indianapolis
Added on Thursday, August 27th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Track Focus: Indianapolis
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway holds the title of the newest circuit on the MotoGP calendar, having been included only last year but yet, it could still lay claim to being the most historic.
The “Brickyard” has long been considered as the racing capital of the world, being home to the famous Indy 500 race, the Allstate 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup and a former host of the US Formula One Grand Prix.
It was the first ever venue to use the term “speedway” in its name, being used since its opening in 1909, and is home to some truly unique features in racing.
The term ‘Brickyard’ comes from the famous start-finish line made up of, unsurprisingly, bricks whilst the pagoda-style control room, the “pylon” lap board, the fact that it can accommodate anywhere between 257,000 and 400,000 spectators (more than any other sports venue in the world) and the on-site golf course (yes, golf course), all make the IMS one of the world’s most iconic circuits.
MotoGP riders use the infield section of the track, avoiding the banked curves that are a regular feature in American racing events, with a number of amendments made prior to the arrival of motorcycles that made the circuit longer and allowed MotoGP to avoid the controversy that ultimately led to the end of F1 in the USA.
When MotoGP first planned to pitch up in Indianapolis, there were seemingly concerted efforts to avoid, based on the F1 circuit, turn 13; a banked left-hand corner that brought cars back onto the main straight and what was at the centre of the circuit’s biggest controversy in 2005. Back then, 14 of the 20 drivers, all running Michelin tyres, withdrew from the US Grand Prix on the formation lap over concerns over the ability of the tyres to handle the high-speed banked turn. As a result, only the six Bridgestone drivers took to the circuit, causing understandable outrage in the US.
As a result, MotoGP organisers have managed to avoid the turn entirely, running the race in the opposite direction to all over events at the circuit and bringing riders into the infield before they reach the banked turn via a newly constructed section of track.
But despite the best laid plans, the 2008 Indianapolis Grand Prix didn’t quite run smoothly. With the remnants of Hurricane Ike forcing both the MotoGP and 125cc event to be red flagged early due to safety fears, with the 250cc event being cancelled outright.
Track Focus: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, USA
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| Opened | 1909 |
| First MotoGP | 2008 |
| Length | 4.218km (2.621mi) |
| Turns | 16 (9 Left, 7 Right) |
| Lap Record | Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) 2008: 1:40.776 |
| 2008 Winner | Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) |
