Track Focus: Misano
Added on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Track Focus: Misano
The San Marino Grand Prix is something of a misnomer, given that it has never been held in the tiny enclave hidden within the Apennine Mountains and is in truth, a well disguised second jaunt of the season to Italy.
With no flat land in which to build a racing circuit within the 23.5sq mile boundaries of San Marino, the San Marino and Rimini’s Coast motorcycle grand prix takes place 32km away from the capital city, close to Italy’s North East coast.
The peculiarities continue when you look back at the history of the San Marino GP, with the event being withdrawn from the calendar and forced to change venue on a number of occasions. The event was only reinstated to the MotoGP calendar in 2007 after being dropped in 1993. That year it was Mugello, 172km away from San Marino and the current host of the Italian Grand Prix that hosted the event and that year (and prior to that in 1991), it was Misano hosted the Italian equivalent.
In fairness, the absence of Misano on the MotoGP calendar prior to 2007 was due in part to renovation work at the circuit. In 1993, the track was lengthened with a new corner complex at turn 13-14 to take the circuit to its current length of 4.064km. A new paddock and pit complex as well as several redeveloped grandstands followed, with around 23,000 seats contributing to the estimated 60,000 capacity, although many more have been known to cram in.
Last year, it was a Yamaha 1-2 in Misano, with Valentino Rossi beating Jorge Lorenzo to the line and given how 2009 has gone, few would bet against repeat scenes this weekend. With circuit lap record holder Casey Stoner deciding to miss out on yet another grand prix which, on paper at least, should suit the Ducati, it’s hard to look past the season’s pace setters once again.
Lorenzo has experienced victory at the circuit, winning with Aprilia in 2007 in the 250cc championship whilst a 20-year-old Loris Capirossi did the same in 1993. Scott Honda rider Gabor Talmacsi also has happy memories of the place, winning the 125 grand prix last year although few would bet against him making another step onto the podium this time around.
Track Focus: Misano World Circuit, Italy
| Location | Misano, Rimini, Italy |
| Opened | 1972 |
| First MotoGP | 1985 |
| Length | 4.180km (2.597mi) |
| Turns | 16 (6 Left, 10 Right) |
| Lap Record | Casey Stoner (Ducati) 2008: 1:33.918 |
| 2008 Winner | Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) |
