Argentine Grand Prix Removed from 2013 MotoGP Calendar

The Gran Premio de la República Argentina (Argentine Grand Prix), has been removed from the 2013 MotoGP calendar. 

A three-year deal for MotoGP events to be held annually at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit was announced in December 2011 to begin from 2013.

But after the arrangement was delayed in June for “safety reasons” following a dispute between the company and the nation’s government, the passing of the November 18 scheduling deadline has left the race out in the cold for next season at least.

MotoGP said in a statement: “The Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina, which was set to take place at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit early next year, has not been included on the 2013 calendar.

“On June 20th 2012, the Spanish government recommended that teams and riders sponsored by Repsol should not travel to the Republica Argentina due to safety reasons.

“Therefore, the celebration of the 2013 Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina remained under suspension until such recommendation would be kept in force,” the statement added.

“The deadline for Dorna Sports, commercial rights holder of the MotoGP World Championship, to officially propose the 2013 MotoGP calendar to FIM was November 18.

“On November 20, the Spanish government notified through email sent to Dorna Sports  the withdrawal of the above referred recommendation, when the time for the calendar presentation had already expired and therefore, there was no possibility to include a new MotoGP event.

“Anyhow, Dorna Sports commits itself to include Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina on the 2014 calendar and onwards, to be approved by FIM subject to the homologation of the track which presumably shall take place within the first quarter of 2013.

“Dorna Sports recognizes the Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina Promoter´s efforts regarding the satisfactorily termination of the construction works and the organization and promotion preliminary activities.”

The series last raced in Argentina when MotoGP’s 500cc predecessor used the Buenos Aires circuit in 1998-99.