Spain’s Marcos Ramirez and the OnlyFans America Racing Team led the charge in the MotoGP Of The Americas Moto2 Race last Sunday in Austin, Texas. (Beautiful images)
AUSTIN, Texas — A new American group has ties to NASCAR classic car series, a new TV deal in the US and upcoming American ownership. MotoGP, worldwide motorbike Formula 1 racing version, looks ready for a copycat attempt F1’s explosive growth in recent years and attracted a new group of fans – especially from the US – to the thrill of two-wheeled speed.
“It has what Americans really crave or demand from their sports: The combines physical ability and danger.”
Liberty Media buy of Spain-based Dorna and the commercial rights to MotoGP later this year have fueled speculation about what might happen to a largely European-focused racing series.
“They know what to do, they raised Formula 1 to the highest level we have ever seen,” said ItalyFrancesco Bagnaia of, 2022 and 2023 MotoGP champion with Ducati. “This will be a great opportunity for MotoGP.”
Liberty took over Formula 1 in 2017 and has seen its popularity skyrocket, with an expanded calendar, new races in Las Vegas and Miami and the gripping Netflix docuseries “Drive to Survive.” .
Liberty has yet to reveal specific plans for MotoGP, but President and CEO Greg Maffei called the series “a great sports program that we can expand to a broader global audience.” . The business has significant prospects and we intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”
MotoGP has had two key factors in growing its American audience: Trackhouse Racing’s entry into the series this season and its potential crossover appeal to NASCAR fans; and a broadcast agreement with TNT Sports to broadcast every sprint race and major live on the network’s platforms.
Justin Marks, who co-owns Trackhouse Racing with pop star Pitbull, said: “I see huge potential, which is exactly why I invested in the sport. “I understand the American sports car consumer. I understand the profile of American racing fans.”
Marks said those fans will appreciate the daring riders who race at speeds that can reach 200 mph (321 km/h) and the short races often finish in less than an hour.
Trackhouse is trying to attract it NASCAR fans should watch MotoGP.
Trackhouse NASCAR riders Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez were in the MotoGP paddock at the tournament grand opening of the Americas last week before themselves race on Sunday. Earlier in the week, Trackhouse MotoGP riders Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez visited the team’s NASCAR headquarters in North Carolina.
It’s all cross-promoted across the group’s social media accounts.
“This is the only time we race on American soil. I spent a lot of time talking to fans who came up to shake my hand and just said, ‘Thank you for doing what you’re doing and investing in motocross,’” Marks said.
American fans will be looking for an American driver. They won’t find one – yet.
No American rider has participated in MotoGP full-time since 2015. No rider from the US has won a MotoGP race since 2011. The last American champion was the late Nicky Hayden in 2006.
Europe dominates talent development at all levels. Of the 22 riders this season, 16 are from Spain, including Fernandez or Italy. Oliveira is Portuguese.
Joe Roberts, who rides for the Onlyfans American Racing team, is the only American rider at the Moto2 level.
“An American rider at the highest GP level competing for wins is the best case scenario. It will take some time to get there. Hopefully Trackhouse can help select that American talent,” Marks said.
The Liberty takeover announcement notes that Dorna will remain an “independently operated company” and remain headquartered in Madrid. Carlos Ezpeleta, Dorna’s sporting director, last week downplayed the prospect of big changes ahead. The series added F1-style sprint races and expanded the calendar to 22 races.
“Liberty doesn’t think the sport needs to be fixed and we agree with that,” Ezpeleta said.
MotoGP had three races in the US in 2013. By 2016, this number was reduced to one. Circuit of the Americas has hosted the series for a decade. Race locations are mostly set until 2026.
Epstein said adding a new race in America too soon would only reduce attendance for his race and a new one. Marks wants to see MotoGP follow suit F1 the model of expanding into new US markets with international appeal and flavor, such as Southern California or Miami. Marks chose Los Angeles as the location to launch the Trackhouse team and kits in January.
Friends Vince Chu, 59, and Russ Smith, 69, of Las Vegas made their first trip to the race in Austin last week. They wore Ducati gear as they strolled through the “Ducati Island” fan zone.
Both said they hoped MotoGP would attract many new fans and welcomed the idea of holding more races, especially on the West Coast. But they also have a message for Liberty and any ideas about expansion: MotoGP fans expect their product line to remain affordable.
“I’m a Formula 1 fan, I’m from Las Vegas and I can’t go to the Vegas race. (The cost) is too high,” Chu said. “If it was as funny as Formula 1 people wouldn’t go.”
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