The reason Kevin Schwantz filed his lawsuit against the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is that he is claiming that his 3four Texas MGP company holds the 10-year contract to promote MotoGP at the Austin circuit and not COTA, and that they went behind his back dealing directly with Dorna trying to force the Texan out (Dorna and CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta were not cited as defendants in the lawsuit).
Dorna has issued the following statement regarding their position in the very sticky mess and the reason why the former World Champion is no longer their intermediary in the new discussions that the MotoGP rights holder is now holding with COTA.
Dorna Sports S.
L.
entered into a Promoters Contract with 3four Texas MGP LLC in connection with the organization 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.
Photo source theracingedge.
com