MotoGP Off-Season Thread

[sidewazzz]

Aw man it was going great til that unnecessary spewing came forth.

I thought as well, bad ending.

Schwantz just made this public:

He goes on further to say:

Now that's a bombshell if I have ever seen one.

 

[Zerox]

Now that's a bombshell if I have ever seen one.

Dorna! You got some 'splainin to do!

 

[Spec-ECU]

Dorna! You got some 'splainin to do!

Indeed, although I'm going to just assume that Dorna had no choice but to do whatever was needed to get the AustinGP happening, be it with Schwantz or CotA.

 

[number_6]

Dorna is taking COTA's side. They just announced that not only is the number 34 no longer retired in MotoGP, it is now actually a requirement for CRT bikes.

 

[sidewazzz]

Indeed, although I'm going to just assume that Dorna had no choice but to do whatever was needed to get the AustinGP happening, be it with Schwantz or CotA.

You would think there would be a nice size stack of papers "fine print" that he has as well. Because that letter if by itself is a bucket with a big hole in it. But pretty interesting that the letter dates back to 2/2/11

 

[Zerox]

Indeed, although I'm going to just assume that Dorna had no choice but to do whatever was needed to get the AustinGP happening, be it with Schwantz or CotA.

Ah wait that was a false alarm, Dorna already admitted they had a previous agreement with Schwantz, and it was cancelled.

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.

 

[Spec-ECU]

Ah wait that was a false alarm, Dorna already admitted they had a previous agreement with Schwantz, and it was cancelled.

Ah, I actually now remember reading of that, just been a bit back.

BUT

That February 2011 has some pretty strong and sparse words though, not covering any events of a default to such an agreement. I'd even say that Dorna probably shouldn't have sent Schwantz that letter until after their terms to grant the sole rights owner of the events have been met.

You know, if I was a litigating attorney in this whole thing.

 

[Spec-ECU]

Maybe CotA was in works with granting Schwantz's LLC all the necessary rights, licenses, and permits to hold the GP in CotA, up until they learned that Schwantz's company would be receiving the annual funding from the state's Event Trust Fund.

Money talks?

 

[TheNibbler]

Dorna had a choice to say it's either through Schwantz or nothing to COTA. They've cancelled tracks before from schedule at the last minute. Dorna took the 10% discount offer from COTA to snub their champion.

 

[clutchslip]

Dorna had a choice to say it's either through Schwantz or nothing to COTA. They've cancelled tracks before from schedule at the last minute. Dorna took the 10% discount offer from COTA to snub their champion.

That MAY be true, but I remember when the information was first released that it appeared that Mr. K.S. did not perform according to the Dorna requirements. Whether COTA and DORNA conspired to cut Mr. Schwantz out of the deal will probably be determined in court, not on the internet.

Meanwhile, we have a Schwantz storm coming down on COTA and DORNA, just when the season is getting started, and the first race, ever, will be there. It is a shame. I hope this is taken off the public slam-bam radar, soon.

 

[DaveT319]

This whole thing is disappointing. I'm sure part of the drive for Schwantz was to make a good chunk of money off the deal, but I believe that he also was genuinely excited to bring MotoGP to the area, to get a third US round. And now it's all gone bad, in a very public way. Regardless of anything else going on, the way CoTA handled things is deplorable. To aggressively kick out a former world champion and threaten him with criminal trespassing should he return is WAY over-the-top. No matter what has happened since this whole thing got started, there's no denying that Schwantz played a big part in helping get the track going, and to get MotoGP to come to come to the track in the very first year it's open. To ignore all that and now treat him like he's some vagrant is just terrible.

 

[clutchslip]

Of course, they shouldn't treat him poorly. At least not publicly. That is stupid. I guess no one else has ever lost a finder's fee. Oh well. I have. Sometimes you eat the bar, sometimes he eats you.

Regardless, Schwantz has a public relations attack going on. And we have no idea what has been said in private. There may be more here than just "our hero is getting the shaft." I don't know details, but I can see COTA not wanting anything to do with him, and not trusting him on their track.

I am not defending COTA. I am just seeing things from somewhere other than "oh poor Kevin."

 

[sidewazzz]

Of course, they shouldn't treat him poorly. At least not publicly. That is stupid. I guess no one else has ever lost a finder's fee. Oh well. I have. Sometimes you eat the bar, sometimes he eats you.

Regardless, Schwantz has a public relations attack going on. And we have no idea what has been said in private. There may be more here than just "our hero is getting the shaft." I don't know details, but I can see COTA not wanting anything to do with him, and not trusting him on their track.

I am not defending COTA. I am just seeing things from somewhere other than "oh poor Kevin."

This

 

[kelsodeez]

bottom line:

schwantz beat a bunch of suits at their own game. the suits played dirty even though they knew schwantz had a case.

 

[ColaGuy]

bottom line:

schwantz beat a bunch of suits at their own game. the suits played dirty even though they knew schwantz had a case.

I haven't seen anything to indicate this 'game' is over and we have a winner to declare. Have I missed something?

 

[sidewazzz]

I haven't seen anything to indicate this 'game' is over and we have a winner to declare. Have I missed something?

I think Dorna & COTA are thinking, if KS known what's best he wont shit where he eats or plans to.

In other words the rug has been lifted and KS was swept under... wheather or not he stays there is up to him.

 

[telly]

Either way this pans out its a bad look for motogp.

 

[kelsodeez]

i wouldnt say it reflects poorly on motogp as much as it makes american racing management look bad.

 

[TTTom]

Kevin Schwantz just learned the Golden Rule... the people with the gold make the rules.

 

[afm199]

I'm curious who would be the surprise for this season.

Marquez and Rossi. Marquez cuz he's going to get his pee pee slapped for riding recklessly, and Rossi cuz he's going to podium just to remind Jorge who's daddy.