For two years now, enormous work has been taking place in the USA to build an enormous track complex with very high standards, part of which will meet MotoGP standards.
Let’s see more clearly…
The complex is called Flatrock Motorsport
Parka surname that will remind fans of the American Dream of the Ford factories in southern Detroit. But that has nothing to do with it!
The Flatrock Resort is nestled in the Tennessee countryside, which won't enlighten most of us. Let's say it's west of Nashville and north of Atlanta, not too far from the world famous “Tail of the Dragon” with its 318 curves in 11 miles, but a map is without doubt more telling…
There, two years ago, work began to create a circuit that we still owe to the essential Herman Tilke, already the author of most of the modern tracks used by F1 and MotoGP.
In total, a development of 10 kilometers and 34 bends winding over hilly terrain with the particularity of having a very steep bend, the T16! Wow, we are far from Daytonabut it's better than nothing!
With its forest setting, the poster is therefore very attractive, possibly already ready to enter into legend, as Spa-Francorchamps or the Nurburgring are today, especially since the American route was built to FIA Grade 2 standardwhich means it is approved to host any type of racing except F1. So in theory MotoGP, because if Portimao, Austin, Catalunya, Jerez, Lusail, Motorland Aragon, Mugello, Red Bull Ring, Sepang, Silverstone and Valencia are classified Grade 1, Brno, Le Mans, Misano, Motegi, Sachsenring and TT Assen are in Grade 2which does not prevent them from hosting the MotoGP.
In fact, only FIM homologation counts, where Grade A is essential to receive MotoGP, but the circuit has not yet given any indication on this subject.
However, at a time when Liberty Media, which managed to bring F1 to Las Vegas, has shown its interest in motorcycle Grands Prix, we are already almost licking our lips…
Almost, since upon closer inspection, we see that the 10 kilometer route, which includes the banking (T16), is designed to mainly accommodate endurance races, which will not really surprise us, since if the length of an FIM homologated circuit must be between 3.5 km and 10 km, the FIM specifies that for grade A the ideal route will have a total length of between 4.2 km and 4.5 km with a minimum number of 10 turns.
Ouch, ouch, ouch, the chances of seeing MotoGP crash their suspensions in banking are getting further and further away…
They disappear completely when reading another article of the regulations concerning motorcycle circuits: “In curved sections, the slope must not exceed 5%”.
It's over, our wildest dreams have just vanished!
So, who benefits from banking, and do MotoGP have a chance of racing at Flatrock one day?
The banking is part of the 5.6 kilometer Club route, which was inaugurated a month ago.
Rusty Bittle : “We are delighted to open the 'Club' track to our members today. After months of hard work and dedication, it is incredible to see them on the track, enjoying what we have built. Flatrock is destined to become one of the best destinations for motorsports, and it's just the beginning. I look forward to seeing where we go as we continue to develop and expand the facilities. »
Indeed, Flatrock will expand, not only with luxurious facilities including hotel, restaurant, workshops for sale and amphitheater for concerts, but above all with a 4.2 kilometer track called “Grand Prix”, which could receive the MotoGP.
Its name and a summary image on the circuit's website leave no doubt as to the desire to host motorcycle races.
Afterwards, it risks at least a lot of time passing before one day seeing the MotoGP in this bucolic place, because having an approved track is one thing, being able to welcome and accommodate the few hundred thousand people going to a GP in is another. And for that matter, this very beautiful place in Tennessee, as charming as it is, has very few villages to offer within a reasonable distance.
And then, after all, without particularly high banking, this track does not offer any really particular appeal in our eyes. Damage !
So, we will see if this is one of the objectives of Liberty Media which seems to have other more important concerns at the moment…
Illustration credit: Flatrock
