India will soon make its debut on the MotoGP calendar, in what is set to be a milestone occasion for motorsport in the country. It culminates years of efforts to bring top-level international racing back to the Buddh International Circuit, which last hosted an event of the same stature back in 2013 with the F1 Indian GP.
This isn’t the first time the circuit has explored hosting a major two-wheeler series. There were plans to host a round of the World Superbike Championship in the mid-2010s, but after being postponed several times, it was called off. There are genuine efforts from all sides to make the India MotoGP race a success.
Speaking last year, Dorna Sports’ managing director Carlos Ezpeleta said it was a “no-brainer” for MotoGP to come here given that India is the world’s largest two-wheeler market. And moreover, there’s strong support from the Uttar Pradesh government to pull off the event without a hitch. Government authorities have expressed that the Grand Prix will have a significant positive economic impact on the local area, while also firmly putting India on the global racing map.
MotoGP Bharat: is the track ready?
Given that plans for the race were confirmed late last year and work on the track only started fairly recently, it was always going to be a tight timeframe to have everything ready in time. However, Amit Sandill – co-founder of Fairstreet Sports, responsible for organising the event – remains confident everything is on track. “There’s a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we’ll make it for sure,” he said, while speaking with Autocar India.
Now, the BIC was originally built for F1 racing, so the circuit was pending homologation from the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Sandill reveals the governing body has already completed an initial reconnaissance, and work on the track is being carried out as per FIM feedback.
“The FIM uses simulation software to do many runs on the track and then comes up with the final designs. So that has already been done,” he explains. “The inspection will probably be done early September.”
Aside from some track resurfacing and work on the run-off areas, the overall layout of the circuit will remain more or less the same. But fans can expect some changes; Turn 13, for example, will be turned into a double apex corner to reduce the speed of the bikes.
Unlike F1, where drivers are cocooned in a safety structure, the risk of injury is far higher in two-wheeler racing. Keeping that in mind, certain sections of the fencing are being moved further back to create room for more run-off areas and gravel sections. The barriers have also been upgraded to the latest international spec. As per the latest update, over 1,800 metres of new safety barricading has been installed.
Earlier this year, Brad Binder set a new motoGP speed record of 366.1kph at Mugello. MotoGP Bharat organisers are anticipating bikes to reach speeds of up to 370kph at the BIC, thanks to the long back straight that's over a kilometre. This straight stretch is divided into two parts – the first segment is downhill, which will allow the riders to achieve maximum acceleration, while the latter part, which is uphill, will enable them to brake late and maintain top speed.
Carlos Ezpeleta, chief sporting officer of Dorna Sports, added, “The changes made to the Buddh International Circuit are truly remarkable. This track now stands witness to India’s commitment to hosting world-class motorsport events. We believe the circuit has the potential to register speed that could rewrite the MotoGP record books.”
MotoGP Bharat tickets
Another factor behind making a racing event a success – especially in a country like India where motorsport is still not as mainstream as say, cricket – is to make it accessible. And Fairstreet Sports has tried to do just that, with ticket prices ranging between Rs 2,500-40,000; these cover all three days of track action, including Moto2 and Moto3.
Early bird tickets, which were sold for a limited period, even started as low as Rs 800. For comparison, back in 2013, F1 tickets at the venue ranged from Rs 2,000 to Rs 21,000.
The total capacity is a little over 1,00,000 and Sandill says early response has been positive. “BookMyShow said they don’t see this kind of response even with the IPL three months before the event. We’re hoping, as we go closer to the date, it should be a sellout.”
MotoGP Bharat ticket prices
Rs 2,500
Picnic Stand North: Lawn free seating
Views of turns 1, 2, and 3.
Picnic Stand South/West: Lawn free seating
Located between turns 10, 11 and 12.
Natural Stand South: Lawn free seating
Located between turns 7 and 8, this area offers a view of all the action at turns 6, 7, and 8. There’s also limited views of the parallel turn 11.
Rs 6,000
Star Stand 1 East: Uncovered stand
Those sitting here will be able to witness the riders braking hard as they come from the long straight and dive into turn 4.
Star Stand 3 East: Uncovered stand
You can see the riders come out from turn 4 and accelerate through the straight into turn 5.
Classic Stand 2 East: Uncovered stand
This stand provides a prime location to witness the riders showcasing their agility. You can catch the action unfold at turn 5 and the short straight towards turn 6.
Classic Stand 1 West: Uncovered Stand
These seats cover the majority of the track view, with a good spot to catch all the action between Turns 12 and 13.
Rs 8,000
Star Stand 2 East: Uncovered stand.
This gives a direct view of the longest straight on the track.
Classic Stand 2 West: Uncovered stand.
Positioned between turns 13 and 14.
Rs 10,000
Premium Stand South: Covered stand
You can soak in the views of the long and challenging curve at Turns 9 and 10.
Rs 12,000
Classic Stand North: Uncovered stand
This stand offers good views of turn 3 and the longest straight. It’s one of the prime sports to witness thrilling overtaking and high-speed battles between the riders.
Rs 15,000
Premium Stand North: Covered stand.
For those who don’t want to shell out extra on the main grandstand, this is a pretty good vantage point to witness the start of the race, see the riders cross the finish line, and catch all the action at turn 1.
Rs 20,000-30,000
Main Grandstand: Covered stand
Prime spot for all those who want to witness the thrilling start and finish of the race up close.
Rs 40,000
Platinum Stand: AC box
These seats are also parallel to the main start/finish straight, but with the added convenience of air conditioning. Food and beverage is also included with these tickets.
MotoGP Bharat schedule
Here are all the session timings for those attending the races at the Buddh International Circuit. For all those sitting at home, all sessions will be broadcasted live on Sports 18 and streamed on Jio Cinema.
Dipan Sur
