When MotoGP’s 2013 provisional calendar was released Jerez de la Frontera circuit that was scheduled for May 5th was still subject to contract renewal (they’ve been having financial difficulties and were 45 million euros in debt in 2011), but according to Spanish website motoworld.
es the deal has finally been approved, thanks to the Andalucian regional government.
Like for the Motorland Aragon circuit, Dorna has decided to help this second Spanish venue to continue hosting the popular Gran Premio de Espana by lower their sanctioning fees – from 4.
5 million euros to 2.
7 million euros (plus VAT which was raised on the 1st of September to 21%) which allowed the regional government to pay for the fee, despite being the fourth region in Spain who asked Madrid for a bailout last month and also has the highest unemployment rate (33%) in the entire country.
With Jerez and the Texas GP confirmed, only the Argentina GP remains highly doubtful.
According to a very interesting interview that appeared in this week’s Cycle News with Dorna’s CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, the South American race will be confirmed only if the Spanish Government decides that Argentina will be safe for all Repsol personnel following the nationalization of Repsol’s YPF subsidary, but the final decision will be made by the latest in mid December.
Jerez will also be hosting the final round of the 2013 World Superbike championship.