5 Minutes With…
Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta
Dorna's Main Man
By Chris Jonnum
As the promoter of the world's most popular motorcycle-racing series, Dorna Sports is in an enviable position. However, for over a decade, the Spanish-based company hasn't had a race in the world's biggest motorcycle market. That will no longer be the case after the 2005 Red Bull United States Grand Prix, to be held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on July 10, a turn of events that Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta is very happy about. We spoke about this and other topics with Senor Ezpeleta via telephone at his office in Spain this morning.

Road Racer X: How important was it for Dorna to get a MotoGP round in the U.S.?
Carmelo Ezpeleta: Well, it's very important. Since last time we were there [in 1994], we were trying desperately to have another Grand Prix in the States. The problem was that until now, we could not locate any circuits that were safe enough to host a MotoGP. We understand that the standards in the USA are different, but we have our standards here, and we cannot be far away from these normal standards. We were trying very, very different possibilities. We went to Road America, Road Atlanta, Elkhart Lake, and we were trying something in Miami [Homestead], and we also were talked about Birmingham. But at none of them was it possible for us to achieve the safety issues. Then, when Laguna Seca contacted us saying, "This is possible," we tried desperately. Because for us, the two conditions we need [in order] to be in America—because it's the most important part of the world—are, one, we must be safe enough. Maybe it will not be the most-safe racetrack in the world, but also, it's not very fast. Secondly, we need to have an organization [that] can work with us to be successful. We are very, very happy, because we feel that first, they [SCRAMP, the group that operates the Laguna circuit] are making all the efforts to rebuild the track and make all the necessary changes, and secondly, we are sure the event will be a great success.

Why is the United States such an important market for MotoGP?
There's no doubt that the States are the most important country in the world. It's the biggest economy, and we feel that if we are finally successful in the States, it's a great step for the whole MotoGP championship.

So was safety the principle obstacle to overcome in having a race in the U.S.?
In principle, it was the safety, yes.

And are you happy with the changes that are being made to improve safety on the track? Will Laguna Seca meet the safety standards that are set by the other circuits on your schedule?
You know, we sent there first Kenny [Roberts] Jr., and he looked at the different possibilities. We understand that it's difficult to make a circuit as safe as maybe any other circuit, in the United States. But we understand the reality of the States, and we try to combine both things—also, the economy part is very important—and finally, we feel we have a comfortable solution.

What was it that made you choose Laguna over some of the other tracks that were considered? Was it because of their attitude of cooperation when they approached you?
First of all, [it was] because immediately when we started to talk, the people were very interested in that. We made contact with Wayne Rainey—we are friends of Wayne since he was participating in the championship—and he obviously understands about safety issues. [Note: Rainey lives very near to the Laguna Seca track.] Secondly, it was the history of Laguna Seca. It's a great name in the motorcycling championship. Also, the quality of the organization and the interest of everybody is paying for this event.

The Monterey Peninsula is also a great place to bring some of the sport's VIPs.
Of course. It's one of the main reasons I mentioned that [Laguna Seca] is a great name. Of course, it's very good for everybody: for the spectators, and also for VIP people—especially because the date on the 10th of July is almost the holidays in Europe, and many people will maybe will stay for some time to stay on the peninsula and look at everything. This is another very important reason.

How are things going? Are you happy with the direction of preparations for the race?
Yes, we think everything is going well. Of course, it's never enough, but we are happy, yes.

Have you dealt at all with the AMA, or just with Laguna Seca?
No, we are just speaking with Laguna Seca, and Laguna Seca is speaking with the AMA. Of course, the AMA will do two things. One is the AMA is making support races at Laguna Seca during the weekend. Secondly, they are the official federation representing the FIM in the States; they will have the same duty as any other federation in the world. We are used to this. We don't talk normally with the federation; we talk with the promoters, and the promoters talk with the federation.

Changing the topic a bit, there has been a problem with teams pulling out of MotoGP this off-season, from Aprilia to Proton KR. Does this concern you?
Well, Aprilia, you know, has changed the ownership of the company, and they are reflecting for one year. They prefer to [withdraw], look at the different possibilities, and then decide if they continue beyond 2005 or not. Proton, they were looking at different possibilities, but I think they are talking with KTM, trying to make everything in place to participate in this championship. I think this is a very important step.

Do you think there will be enough teams to make up a quality grid? Would you consider going to three-rider teams, like Formula 1 is considering?
You know, we think with the numbers we have right now, absolutely not. We had, in the past, 24 riders, but you know, we think that with 20-plus—with wildcards, who normally will ask to race in the States—we are absolutely not worried about that. The show, with 20 riders, is exactly the same.

In the past, there has been some competition between Grand Prix racing and World Superbike. This season, it seems like World Superbike is once again gaining in health. Do you see that as a positive, or does it concern you?
[Laughs] We didn’t have any competition with Superbike. We don't have any doubts about who is the best in the world. In the history, not any champion of MotoGP, when he was World Champion, tried to pass to Superbike. The opposite is usual. We think we are not competing, but there must be two different kinds of championships: the prototype championship is the championship that has existed since '49, and is the number-one for two-wheels, in the world. The other championship is a championship for series bikes [and has] existed since maybe 10 or 12 years ago. It's a very good championship, but for us, we don't see any competition, no.

So there's plenty of room for both series?
There's room for both series. It's exactly the same as talking about Formula 1 and the [British] Touring Car Championship. Or in America, it's the opposite. Every championship can be successful depending on that. In America, the most similar to the Touring Cars, NASCAR, is much, much more successful than IRL or CART. In Europe, Formula 1 is more successful than Touring Cars. It's a different market or whatever. You know, Superbike has their possibilities, and we have our possibilities, but the fact is that until now, the number-one championship in all the years is the MotoGP championship.

There's been some talk lately about some members of the MSMA wanting MotoGP to go to an 800cc displacement in the future. What are your thoughts on that?
Regarding technical questions, we have an agreement with the MSMA, which is the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers Association, where all the proposals made unanimously by the MSMA, we must accept. We have no special concerns about the capacity. If the manufacturers, who make the bikes, decided to use 800s or whatever, we would not have any [hesitancy] to do that. Now, it's necessary that they talk. The prior solution that they talked about was 900 [note: the current limit is 990cc, with 900cc expected to go into effect in 2007]. Now, they are talking about 800, but this needs the mutual consensus of all the members of the MSMA.

What about the smaller-displacement classes? There must be a plan to eventually go to a four-stroke platform.
Not for the moment. The MSMA discussed it between themselves. Finally, they took the decision: at this moment, no changes. Until they decide to reconsider that, we will continue with two-strokes.

Dorna is involved with the highly successful British Superbike Series. Would you ever consider getting involved with AMA Superbike if the opportunity presented itself?
No. The only reason we involved in British Superbike is because the commercial-rights holders, Octagon, decided to finish their association. Then the circuits in England came to us and said, "Look, we're in this situation; can you help us in the promotion and economics and looking for sponsors or whatever. We consider it very important to have British Superbike continue, because England is one of our key markets for the future. We started helping them; now, the collaboration is increasing every year, but we don't have any idea to create anything special.

Thank you very much for your time.
No problem. Thank you.