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MotoGP schedule put back by a year

MotoGP schedule put back by a year

MOTO GP: The cabinet agreed yesterday (Feb 2) to postpone Thailand’s five-year contract to stage MotoGP races by one year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moto-GP
By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 3 February 2021 03:42 PM


MotoGP at the Chang International Circuit, Buri Ram, on Oct 6, 2019. Photo: Bangkok Post file.

MotoGP at the Chang International Circuit, Buri Ram, on Oct 6, 2019. Photo: Bangkok Post file.

The previous plan had been for Buri Ram to stage the coveted event from 2021-2025 but yesterday it was switched to 2022-2026 instead.

Traisuree Taisaranakul, deputy spokeswoman for Government House, said the licence to host the event for five years would still cost B900 million, a budget already approved by the cabinet.

She said Dorna Sports, the owner of the licence, reiterated the company’s commitment to the event, saying it would continue to boost Thailand’s image overseas and generate substantial income.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry reported that the 2018 event generated B3.05 billion and attracted 222,535 spectators and the 2019 race did even better, raising B3.45bn from 226,655 attendees.