BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: The MotoGP spectacle is set to continue in Qatar “for many years to come”, Dorna chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta said yesterday.
The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) joined hands with Dorna, the exclusive commercial and television rights holder for MotoGP, to stage the first ever race in the region in 2004.
In 2008, Qatar’s iconic Losail International Circuit switched on the artificial lights to stage the first ever MotoGP night race.
A year later in 2009, QMMF picked up the “Best Circuit Award” handed out by the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) at an FIM gathering in Valencia.
It was the first time since 1998 that a non-European circuit had won the prestigious award.
“For us this is the New Year. We (the MotoGP family) start the season here,” Ezpeleta said ahead of this week’s opening MotoGP race in 2015.
“Qatar is becoming the traditional starting place of the MotoGP,” Ezpeleta said. “We can say that MotoGP will continue in Qatar for many more years.”
“The commitment shown by them (QMMF) towards developing the sport of motorcycling in Qatar is incredible. It has consolidated its reputation. Everybody knows that MotoGP starts in Qatar,” he said.
“It is the 12th year in Qatar. I must praise all the people who make this possible, the title and other sponsors. We have achieved the goal of making this possible so I say ‘thank you’ for making this one of the biggest races of the year,” the Italian said.
When asked about renewing the existing contract, Ezpeleta said: “Our contract is until 2016. There are no discussions. We are very happy to continue. We will renew the contract. There are just small details.”
QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah said Dorna’s expertise in staging the MotoGP races was well received in Qatar.
“The tools of support we get from Dorna are huge. It is no ordinary support,” Al Attiyah said yesterday at the Losail International Circuit.
“The guidelines they have been giving are something we have been learning over the years.
“We have designed the track and the area around the circuit through Mr Ezpeleta’s advice. It was really a lot of discussions as to how we can develop motorcycling,” Al Attiyah said.
“The audience of MotoGP is huge. What we (MotoGP) are achieving in terms of popularity is more than Formula One. We have seen the stats. The increase in the number of fans is amazing. We are proud to keep Qatar in the picture. Sure we will continue to do all that with our sponsors,” Al Attiyah, who is also a Vice-president at both the FIM and FIA, said.
“Commercial Bank of Qatar and Al Fardan Automobiles has been with us in adding glamour to our events as our sponsors,” Al Attiyah said. “They have been with us for many years. We would like our sponsors to evaluate what value they have in their hands when they are with us.”
Ezpeleta said Qatar held the bragging rights for staging the MotoGP festival in the region.
“It was clearly stated in the agreement that we had with Qatar when we started that we wanted to develop a culture (of motorcycling) within the Middle East,” Ezpeleta said.
“Qatar does not only stage MotoGP or Superbike events, Qatar is our representative in the Middle East. Anything in the Middle East will be with agreement of Qatar.
“But for us the most important thing is to develop the sport in the Middle East. And we are in the best hands with QMMF and the Losail International Circuit.
“And if there is any approach from any other country, then this is something we will discuss with Qatar and Qatar will look at the best way to consolidate the motorcycling culture,” the Italian said.
Colin MacDonald, the Deputy CEO of Commercial Bank of Qatar, said: “We are delighted to be associated with an event that has global appeal. We have been with QMMF for 10 years. The QMMF has been great friends of ours.”
“We sponsor many events but this is very special. We started in 2006 and this is our 10th year of support. This Grand Prix has grown over the years and Commercial Bank believes it should support events that have massive appeal.”
THE PENINSULA
