MotoGP rights holders Dorna Sports has issued the following statement, regarding the recent lawsuit filed by former 500cc world champion
Kevin Schwantz against the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) being built in Austin, Texas.
The statement explains - from Dorna's point of view - why Schwantz's 3four Texas company has been left out of the latest discussions regarding the 2013
MotoGP event.
The remaining question is why 3four Texas was unable to provide Dorna with 'satisfactory evidence' of having obtained all the necessary rights to run the
MotoGP event at COTA.
Dorna's statement suggests that 'no agreement had ever been entered into between 3four Texas MGP LLC and COTA'.
COTA also claims that Schwantz 'never had an agreement to conduct a
MotoGP race at Circuit of The Americas'.
By contrast, Schwantz has accused COTA of 'attempting to unlawfully force me out of this project'.
The Dorna statement is as follows:
"Dorna Sports S.L. entered into a Promoters Contract with 3four Texas MGP LLC in connection with the organisation of a FIM
MotoGP Grand Prix at The Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, on February 11th 2011 to be effective from the 2013 season.
"Dorna understood that 3four Texas MGP LLC had an agreement with COTA to run the event.
"On the first days of June 2012, Dorna required 3four Texas MGP LLC to provide satisfactory evidence before June 28th about the company having obtained all the necessary rights, licenses and permits related with the availability of the Circuit of the Americas.
"This is a standard procedure when the Promoter is not the owner of the Circuit.
"3four Texas MGP LLC was not able to provide such evidence to Dorna (apparently no agreement had ever been entered into between 3four Texas MGP LLC and COTA, the owner of the circuit) within the term granted for such purposes, and therefore Dorna had no other alternative than to terminate the February 11th 2011 Promoters Contract due to such Event of Default. The termination was effective from July 2nd 2012.
"As Dorna Sports S.L. and the FIM are interested in a FIM
MotoGP Grand Prix in Texas, COTA was then offered the opportunity to become the Promoter of such an event through the signing of a Promoters Agreement. Conversations continue at this moment."
Here are the previous statements from
Schwantz and
COTA.