Cycle News Staff | March 20, 2013
More drama to the Kevin Schwantz/Circuit of The America’s saga ensued last week at the MotoGP private test held at the Austin racetrack. The former World Champion was there to coach American wild-card rider Blake Young and was an invited guest of the LCR Honda team, but was asked to leave the track by security.
The former World Champion issued this statement today about the incident.
Schwantz’ release is as follows:
I have read several reports regarding my attendance at the MotoGP test last week in Austin. I would like to make this statement:
“I had been in Switzerland over the weekend where I was the guest speaker at the St. Gallen University. I returned to Texas on Tuesday evening and on Thursday I was at CotA for the MotoGP test, with a proper credential supplied by the Attack team, to coach Blake Young. Additionally I was an invited guest of the LCR Honda team.
While there, CotA security informed me that CotA management requested I leave the track immediately and was not welcomed at the circuit. CotA’s security force also accused me of criminal trespass and warned I would be arrested the next time I entered the track.
This comes as a tremendous disappointment to Honda, Blake Young, and myself. Especially because I am single-handedly responsible for bringing MotoGP to Texas and for the initial design of the facility to accommodate MotoGP racing.”
This is the most recent development after the lawsuit that Kevin Schwantz had filed on September 7 on behalf of his race promotion company 3four Texas, that claimed that COTA and its officials illegally negotiated directly with MotoGP rights holder Dorna to host a race in 2013.
Dorna’s response to the lawsuit was that they had a promoter contract with Schwantz for the COTA venue but that the contract was terminated on July 2nd after his company 3four Texas was unable to meet the June 28th deadline to obtain an agreement with COTA for 2013.
