Photography By Gold & Goose
Done deal: The lawsuit between Kevin Schwantz and Circuit of The Americas that was scheduled to go to court in May has been settled, with Schwantz reaching a new agreement with the track in his hometown of Austin, Texas, to be the official ambassador for COTA.
“I look forward to being the ambassador for two-wheel racing for COTA, especially as the 2014 MotoGP season begins and returns to Texas,” Schwantz said in a statement from the track. “Grand Prix motorcycle racing has been my life, and to help COTA market and promote that moving forward is exciting.”
The announcement comes just a few weeks before the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas at COTA and a month prior to the court case was scheduled to go to trial.
“Kevin is a great champion and partnering with him gives us an opportunity to learn from his deep knowledge, as well as continue to celebrate his accomplishments,” circuit chairman Bobby Epstein said. “Kevin and I have always shared the desire to see him be a part of COTA, and it’s awesome to finally see it become a reality. A great American track and a great American champion in the same city can’t be kept apart. As a result, casual riders, current racers, future stars and the fans all win.”
As a COTA ambassador, Schwantz will play a prominent role in a variety of promotions for the upcoming Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas event in April, including media availabilities and fan activities, the track says.
Schwantz will also serve as Grand Marshal for the MotoGP race on Sunday, April 13, and will lead the parade laps scheduled for COTA’s personal seat license holders on Friday, April 11, between Grand Prix practice sessions.
Additionally, COTA will work with Schwantz to raise money for an important charity he supports, the Simoncelli Foundation. Today through Friday, April 4, COTA will donate $1 for every ticket purchased for the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas to the Simoncelli Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting humanitarian projects that benefit the disadvantaged.
“I am thankful for COTA’s support of the Simoncelli Foundation, a charity that’s important to all of us who knew Marco personally and fans that followed his career,” Schwantz added. “Marco was a great competitor and a very special friend. Now racing fans everywhere can honor his memory and help a cause important to Marco by purchasing a ticket to Austin’s MotoGP race.”
For some background on the story, click on the following link.
https://www.cyclenews.com/48/20631/Racing-Article/Schwantz-Sues-Circuit-of-the-Americas.aspx
