Goa set to host World Motocross

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After New Delhi’s successful tryst with Formula One, another Indian city is in the fray to host a high-profile motorsport event.

In an effort to boost its tourism industry and put the city on the world motorsport map, a delegation from Goa has travelled to England and expressed its desire to conduct the FIM World Motocross championship.

Motocross is a spectator-friendly two-wheeler racing event run on enclosed off-roads. Since it was launched in 1957, the 16-round World championship has been predominantly held in Europe.

The races are conducted in four classes — 450cc, 250cc, 650cc and open category for women.
Supported by the Goa government, the delegation — headed by state minister Avertano Furtado and president of the Goa Motorsport Association Ashley Gomes — visited Matterley Basin, the historic venue of Motocross, last weekend.

They had meetings with promoters of the championship and officials of FIM (international two-wheeler ruling body).

If everything goes well, Goa will be on the world championship calendar from 2014, said Wolfgang Srb, FIM director.

“I have been in touch with Gomes for many years and he has been promoting this sport well in Goa. We are now really close to signing a deal.

I will be glad to get a country like India and a wonderful place like Goa on the calendar, that is exactly the direction we would like to go,” said Wolfgang.

Following the roaring success of the Indian Grand Prix, the country has been a target of various motorsport organisers.

The Buddh International Circuit has already signed a deal to host World Superbike Championship next year and Jaypee group, the owners of the track, has been in talks with the promoters of MotoGP. Giuseppe Luongo, promoter of the motocross championship, says the sport will benefit a lot by having a race in emerging markets such as India.

“It’s fantastic for our sport and it contributes in the development of motocross all around the world. I am sure that we will organise a great race in Goa,” he added.