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IndyCar
INDYCAR: Motegi Circuit Gets Clean Bill Of Health
MOTO GP’s governing body received the same message Tuesday that INDYCAR has about racing at Motegi: It’s safe and it’s a go.
Questions over radiation at the Motegi circuit have been positively addressed and satisfy both MOTO GP and the IZOD IndyCar Series. (LAT)
MOTO GP’s governing body received the same message Tuesday that INDYCAR has about racing at Motegi: It’s safe and it’s a go.
Following an independent study of radiation levels at the track after last March’s nuclear power station crisis, the health risk was deemed as “negligible” so the top level of professional motorcycle road racing got the green light to run Oct. 2.
“It’s the same thing we heard from our State Department,” said Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR., whose series is set to compete on the Honda-owned track on Sept. 17. “Their job is to protect the American people and they’re giving us the best evaluation of whether we should or shouldn’t go.
“They provide us with weekly reports and as long as they continue to be positive, we’re going.”
The earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on March 11th severely damaged the nuclear plant in the town of Fukushima, located some 230 miles from Tokyo and 150 miles from Motegi.
MOTO GP’s original April date obviously had to be postponed to the fall but several top riders like Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner were adamant they would not be participating due to the health risk.
But FIM, the governing body of MOTO GP, commissioned a study to determine the state of the air and filed the following report: “The air gamma intensity is higher than what it was in the area close to Motegi before the accident, yet the ambient radiation values at Motegi will be below those usually found in cities like Rome and Madrid.
“Based on the estimate dose, it can be said by no doubt that the radiation risk during the race event is negligible.”
Bernard intends to brief the teams next month at Mid-Ohio.
“I know some of the crews are concerned but we don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way,” he said. “We want to make the right decision, do what is best for the series and for our partners at Honda.
“This event is important for Japan, not only to showcase motorsports, but also for morale and to show the world it’s a safe place.”
Because of some structural damage to the oval, Indy cars will race on the road course.
Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
Following an independent study of radiation levels at the track after last March’s nuclear power station crisis, the health risk was deemed as “negligible” so the top level of professional motorcycle road racing got the green light to run Oct. 2.
“It’s the same thing we heard from our State Department,” said Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR., whose series is set to compete on the Honda-owned track on Sept. 17. “Their job is to protect the American people and they’re giving us the best evaluation of whether we should or shouldn’t go.
“They provide us with weekly reports and as long as they continue to be positive, we’re going.”
The earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on March 11th severely damaged the nuclear plant in the town of Fukushima, located some 230 miles from Tokyo and 150 miles from Motegi.
MOTO GP’s original April date obviously had to be postponed to the fall but several top riders like Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner were adamant they would not be participating due to the health risk.
But FIM, the governing body of MOTO GP, commissioned a study to determine the state of the air and filed the following report: “The air gamma intensity is higher than what it was in the area close to Motegi before the accident, yet the ambient radiation values at Motegi will be below those usually found in cities like Rome and Madrid.
“Based on the estimate dose, it can be said by no doubt that the radiation risk during the race event is negligible.”
Bernard intends to brief the teams next month at Mid-Ohio.
“I know some of the crews are concerned but we don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way,” he said. “We want to make the right decision, do what is best for the series and for our partners at Honda.
“This event is important for Japan, not only to showcase motorsports, but also for morale and to show the world it’s a safe place.”
Because of some structural damage to the oval, Indy cars will race on the road course.
Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
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