MotoGP coming to Austin's F1 track

AUSTIN (KXAN) - MotoGP -- the Formula One racing circuit for motorcycles -- will make a stop in Austin starting in 2013.

“We are delighted to be adding the Circuit of the Americas to the MotoGP calendar," said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports. “The 10-year agreement is a sign of our confidence and commitment to the future success of MotoGP racing in Austin.”

Austin's $400 million Formula One track officially has a name: Circuit of the Americas.

It is also officially home to two huge international motor sport events: Formula One and its two-wheel equivalent, MotoGP.

"Having world class teams, world class riders, right here in Austin, Texas, for a motorcycle person is a dream come true," said Mark Harries, owner of Ducati Austin -- a high-end motorcycle raced in MotoGP events.

MotoGP is an 18-race series based out of Madrid, Spain. According to MotoGP, more than 2 million watched the races in person last year.

A couple of the 18 races take place in the United States: one in Indianapolis and the other in California. The move to Austin will replace the race's home in Indianapolis.

Harries said MotoGP will bring to town the same high-end, international race fans that are also expected during Formula One.

"For business in Austin, for tourism in Austin, for small business in Austin all of those things are terrific," said Harries.

The motorcycles will race around the 3.4 mil-long track in El Roy -- near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport -- at speeds close to 200 mph.

Work on the track is already under way. And according to those building the track, construction is on schedule. The track is scheduled to be complete by late next year. 

In addition to announcing the MotoGP race, officials with Full Throttle Productions also unveiled more information about what other events will be hosted on the 1,000+ acres in Southeast Travis County.

There will be 50,000 square feet of meeting spaces divided into 14 buildings on the campus. There will also be a full time trama center that will serve as training space for local EMS and room for 35,000 music fans to watch live music.

"The truth of the matter, this is something that is going to function 365 days of the year," said Tavo Hullmond, the man behind bringing the track and all that comes with it to Central Texas.

Hellmund said 80 percent of the $400 million to build the track will stay in Texas.

The MotoGP race will be one of 18 events worldwide starting in 2013.