[vincesanity82]

Motorcycles could be racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway next year. Track president Joie Chitwood is in negotiations with MotoGP officials. If a deal is reached, it would mark the first time in decades motorcycles have competed at the famed track.
"I have had some conversations with them this week, and we're working hard to put something on the calendar," Chitwood told the Associated Press on Thursday. "But I have not signed anything."
Speed Channel, a television racing network, reported earlier in the day a deal already had been completed for a fall race in 2008.
Motorcycles were the first vehicles to race at the Speedway, in 1909, two years before the first Indianapolis 500. Chitwood would like them back for the track's centennial celebration.
But he said the two sides are still trying to work out a date. Chitwood would prefer a summer race; MotoGP, an international circuit, appears to prefer the fall.
A summer race would create an even more compact schedule for Indy officials, who have run three major races -- the IRL's Indianapolis 500, Formula One's U.S. Grand Prix and NASCAR's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard -- over about a two-month span each year since 2004. It's the world's only track to host all three series, which it has been doing since 2000.
The negotiations with MotoGP come amid dealings with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone to keep America's only F1 race in Indy. Last summer, speedway chief executive Tony George and Ecclestone signed a one-year extension to continue racing on Indianapolis' 2.6-mile road course.
Chitwood wants a long-term contract this time.
Last weekend, Ecclestone appeared to be posturing for leverage when he said for the second straight year that it was not essential for F1 to continue racing in the U.S. He made similar comments throughout the weekend despite multiple meetings with George. Ecclestone has also expressed interest in running on the streets of a bigger city, such as Las Vegas or New York.
Still, George appeared confident the two sides could make a deal before a July 12 deadline imposed last weekend by race organizers, and Chitwood said Thursday that a motorcycle race would not interfere with a return of F1.
"They have nothing to do with each other," Chitwood said. "We've been working for 18 months on the motorcycles, so it has nothing to do with F1. It had more to do with our history."
In a pre-race interview last weekend with the AP, Chitwood acknowledged he wanted motorcycles on next year's schedule but was uncertain about the timing. On Thursday, he said time was running out to make it happen in 2008.
As for F1, Chitwood said there have been no meetings since Sunday's race ended although he remains optimistic a deal will be reached.
"I think everyone's just catching their breath now," he said. "My thing with motorcycles is that they were the first thing on the track in 1909 and it has nothing to do with F1."

AUTO RACING - CBS SportsLine.com

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Motorcycles could be racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway next year.[font=Arial, Helvetica][size=2] Track president Joie Chitwood is in negotiations with MotoGP officials. If a deal is reached, it would mark the first time in decades motorcycles have competed at the famed track. [/SIZE
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"I think everyone's just catching their breath now," he said. "My thing with motorcycles is that they were the first thing on the track in 1909 and it has nothing to do with F1."

AUTO RACING - CBS SportsLine.com

Wow! Thanks Vince. I hope that it happens.

I followed MotoGP and it's 250cc class when we lived in Europe in the 80's and they put on a good show. They beat the Hell out of F1, that's for sure.

I don't believe that they run on this side of the pond now, do they?

When I followed it, those were the days of Eddie Lawson, Kevin Schwantz ( who made an attempt at NASCAR in the 90's), Randy Mamola and Mick Doohan.

I know nothing about the road course at Indy (where I'm sure they'll run; the oval'd make a really crappy race)but I'm sure they'd put on a show the crowd wouldn't forget. I'm definitely going to follow this story.

[Quality88]

This could be very interesting.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Quality88

This could be very interesting.

If you've never watched a MotoGP race, may I suggest you catch one the next time SPEED or ESPNjr has one on. What these guys can do with a bike is, to quote Jeffy-Pooh, "AWESOME!"

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

If you've never watched a MotoGP race, may I suggest you catch one the next time SPEED or ESPNjr has one on. What these guys can do with a bike is, to quote Jeffy-Pooh, "AWESOME!"

Seen'em, that's why I think it will be very interesting.

[LSC9901]

Just amazes me how those guys lean into corners. I've ridden many bikes and many miles but never quite had whatever it takes to lean to that extent.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Just amazes me how those guys lean into corners. I've ridden many bikes and many miles but never quite had whatever it takes to lean to that extent.

It's what they do as a job. I'm fairly ceertain that the MotoGP riders think things like jumping out of an airplane while you're in the process of putting on your chute is what is REALLY exciting. I figure that for fun they go out at night and do disgusting things to small, furry animals. <g>

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

It's what they do as a job. I'm fairly ceertain that the MotoGP riders think things like jumping out of an airplane while you're in the process of putting on your chute is what is REALLY exciting. I figure that for fun they go out at night and do disgusting things to small, furry animals. <g>

I've been doing that lately. Got some skunk issues. Caught three babies in the last week. tryin not to do anything disgusting to them.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I've been doing that lately. Got some skunk issues. Caught three babies in the last week. tryin not to do anything disgusting to them.

I understand animal juggling will be an exhibition event in the next Olympics. You getting in practice for the competition?

Hey! If skateboarding, snowboarding and curling can be olympic sports, why can't animal juggling?