Update: The Austin City Council has opted to postpone its vote to endorse the return of the United States Grand Prix until Wednesday, June 29th. Please continue to help garner support for this event!

Formula 1 and MotoGP Fans Around the U.S.,

Will you come to Austin next year to see Formula 1 return to the U.S. after a 5-year absence? How about in 2013 when MotoGP makes its debut at Austin’s new purpose-built track, Circuit of The Americas? We need to hear from you! More specifically, Austin’s City Council needs to know you are out there, getting ready to come here.

More here

10-year Deal Signed for Austin's Circuit of the AmericasTM Includes All Three Classes of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix

AUSTIN, Texas - April 12, 2011 - Dorna Sports, S.L., 3FourTexasMGP, L.L.C. and Full Throttle Productions, L.P. have signed a 10-year contract to bring MotoGP to the new Circuit of the Americas beginning in 2013. The agreement includes the three categories of the Championship, the MotoGP class - the pinnacle of motorcycling, Moto2 and Moto3. The 10-year MotoGP deal is coupled with the already scheduled ten-year deal to host the Formula 1 United States Grand PrixTM, for which the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas is currently under construction.

"We are delighted to be adding the Circuit of the Americas to the MotoGP calendar. It is an honor to expand our Championship to Texas, which has a rich history of producing World Championship riders," said Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, S.L. "We have had a wonderful and special relationship with Kevin Schwantz for twenty years and often talked about a mutual dream of increasing the popularity of MotoGP in the U.S. and raising our already successful worldwide profile. Now, with what Tavo Hellmund is doing in Austin, we have realized that situation and are looking forward to this new venture together. The 10-year agreement is a sign of our confidence and commitment to the future success of MotoGP racing in Austin."

Established as a World Championship by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) in 1949, MotoGP is now in its 63rd year. Its Grand Prix events have taken place in every corner of the world and in 2010, more than 2.2 million people came through the gates of the world circuits to watch a weekend of world-class motorcycle racing.

Kevin Schwantz, Manager of 3FourTexas MGP, L.L.C. and the 1993 FIM MotoGP World Champion stated, "For me this is a dream come true, that the FIM MotoGP World Championship will be in my home state of Texas. I am such a believer in the sport and know how popular motorcycling is in Texas. I am sure that this will be a resounding long term success."

During his racing career, Schwantz accumulated 25 Grand Prix wins and he won the 1993 MotoGP World Championship. After his retirement from racing in 1995, the FIM, in an unprecedented gesture of respect, retired #34, his racing number. In 2000, the organization declared Kevin a Legend, their highest honor, as a testament to his popularity with fans and fellow drivers alike.

"We are extremely pleased to add the best motorcycle World Championship to our annual schedule," said Tavo Hellmund, Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions, L.P. "This is a fantastic opportunity for the State of Texas and this region and I believe it is the first time in American Motorsports history that both the cars and motorbikes world championships are held at the
same facility annually. We are very proud of becoming the United States international facility for motorsports."

Construction of Circuit of the Americas is progressing well and is scheduled for completion sometime in mid 2012, in time for the first Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.
"Kevin and I have been close friends for a long time and I enjoy a great relationship with Carmelo. I respect so much what they and the FIM have done for MotoGP globally. It's going to be great for the State, the product is fantastic and you never know, we may even have a reigning Texan in Ben Spies as World Champion for our first event...that would be icing on the cake," concluded Mr. Hellmund.

World-Class Riders

Ben Spies from Longview, Texas is considered among a small field of favorites to challenge for the 2011 title. He was the 2010 MotoGP Rookie of the Year and recently finished sixth in the Qatar Grand Prix, the inaugural MotoGP race of the 2011 season.
The 2010 MotoGP World Champion is factory Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo, originally from Palma, Spain. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) from Catalonia, Spain finished runner-up behind Lorenzo last year with seven-time World Champion Valentino Rossi from Urbino, Italy placing third.

Race Weekend Schedule

A Grand Prix event takes place over three days with total attendance nearing 200,000 fans. The first two days of the Grand Prix are set aside for practice and qualification for each class. In each category the three fastest qualification-time riders take positions on the first row of the grid, with the rest lining up in rows of three behind. Traditional race days begin with the 125cc contest with the Moto2 class following and finally the premier MotoGP event. Races vary in length between approximately 60 and 80 miles and normally last 40 to 45 minutes.

About MotoGP

The MotoGP World Championship is the world's premier motorcycling championship, with a season of 18 Grand Prix in 14 countries, across four continents, bringing together the world's top motorcycle manufacturers and an elite crop of riders from every corner of the globe. The sport is a spectacular show, featuring the most technologically advanced, high-speed racing machinery being ridden by the most fearless and skillful riders on the planet. For more information, visit www.motogp.com.

About Circuit of the Americas

Circuit of the Americas will be a world-class destination for performance, education and business. It will be the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for any and all classes of racing, from motor power to human power, and be the U.S. home to both the Formula 1 and MotoGP Grand Prix World Championships.

The Circuit of the Americas master plan features a variety of permanent structures designed for business, education, entertainment and race use. Its signature element will be a 3.4-mile circuit track with capacity for 120,000 fans. Other support buildings will include a medical trauma and care training facility, 14 executive meeting suites, a conference center, a banquet hall as well as an expansive outdoor live music space. Future proposed amenities include a driving/riding experience, a motorsports driving club, kart track, grand plaza event center and tower, and a trackside recreational vehicle park.

For more information, visit www.CircuitoftheAmericas.com.

Dainese, the world’s leader in protective apparel for motorcycling, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, celebrates the Grand Opening of its third D-Store and first franchise in the USA on April 10^th starting from 11am. 

Dainese, an Italian company, was founded in 1972 by its current President, Lino Dainese. Since its inception, the company's history has been intertwined with that of riders who have made motorcycling history: from Giacomo Agostini, Barry Sheene, Freddy Spencer to Kenny Roberts and Kevin Schwantz. Starting from 1995 the protective technologies developed by Dainese have been applied to additional sports: ski, mountain biking and most recently horseback riding, always pursuing the company’s mission: “providing people with head-to-toe protection in dynamic sports”.

Today, the tradition is carried on by illustrious names: in motorcycling, Valentino Rossi, Marco Simoncelli, Nicky Hayden, Max Biaggi and in skiing, Maria Riesch, Aksel Svindal. 

The new D-Store Chicago carries the complete collections that made Dainese famous over the years: motorbike, ski, snowboard and mountain bike. 

Dainese D-Stores are flagship stores where Dainese and AGV collections are showcased in especially designed surroundings enhancing the customers’ experience. D-Stores are currently located in San Francisco, Orange County, Milan, Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Moscow, Athens, Manchester, Köln, Munich, Wien, Düsseldorf and Yokohama. 

To celebrate its Grand Opening, D-Store Chicago will have very special guests: Moto GP Champion Nicky Hayden and 1993 World GP Champion Kevin Schwantz. Fans can meet Nicky and Kevin during a special autograph session. 

D-Store Chicago is located in 1408 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm. Parking is available in the parking lot.

Kevin Schwantz sends his class to the races.

1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz is proud to introduce the Schwantz School Lites. This exciting new traveling school will deliver the world-class Schwantz School curriculum to select WERA Southeast race events in 2011. 

This new single-day program is focused on teaching the skills and techniques Kevin employed throughout his racing career, culminating with the 1993 FIM 500GP World Championship. Taught by Kevin’s hand picked crew of championship-winning instructors, the Schwantz School Lites offers something for everyone. This accredited school will allow new racers to apply for their WERA license and even join the competition at the races, immediately following each school. Both novice and expert racers will be able to tap into these techniques to continue honing their on-track skills. Finally, this is the ultimate opportunity for youngsters pursuing a career in racing to build the foundation of their race craft.

“First I’d like to convey my support, concern and sympathy to the victims of the tsunami disaster in Japan. I won my first Grand Prix race in Japan and that great country has always held a very special place in my heart.”

“I am really excited about having my school get involved with grassroots racing. This is a great chance for me to give riders of all ages the tools to achieve their goals on the track, from the weekend racer to the future world champion!”—Kevin Schwantz

With support from American Honda, the Schwantz School is pleased to offer a limited number of Moriwaki MD250H rentals at each of these exclusive schools, on a first-come-first-serve basis. The MD250H is a purpose built, purebred race machine. This is the perfect way for young, up and comers and veteran racers alike to get a taste of the type of machine that will fill the grids in the future Moto3 World Championship.

As for the remaining students riding their own motorcycles, all brands are welcome. For the first time in the 10-year history of the Schwantz School, students will be able to participate on any brand of motorcycle.

Tailored to fit into any race budget, student tuition is only $500 for pre-entry and $550 for post-entry. Rent a Moriwaki MD250H for only $250 more.

Exclusive 2011 Schedule:

• April 7-Talladega GP Raceway
• June 3-Roebling Road Raceway
• August 4-Virginia International Raceway
• September 23-Nashville Superspeedway

For more information and to register for the Schwantz School Lites or our all inclusive resort-style, premier school visit www.schwantzschool.com or call 205.531.6846.