Indy unveils new 16-turn road course

The 2.601-mile road course (see map at the bottom) will not only be run anti-clockwise, against the direction that the Formula One road course ran, but will also feature a new series of corners at the start of the lap.

A new four-turn complex is being built inside Turn 1 of the oval, and the first corner will turn left at the end of the pitlane.

After two right-hand bends, a tight left will see the bikes return on to the oval circuit before Turn 5 cuts left just before the second corner of the oval.

More new corners will see the bikes eventually return to the F1 road course at the bottom of the inside straight. It is estimated that the bikes will reach 210mph on the start-finish straight.

Former world champion Kenny Roberts Jr said he was looking forward to competing on the track, after praising the design.

"I am part of the (MotoGP) safety committee and they have done a fantastic job," said Roberts. "It is a great fit.

"It's going to be fast! If it isn't the most exciting circuit for us, the environment will make it the most exciting."

Work on the new circuit has already begun and is expected to be finished before next year's Indy 500.

Kevin Forbes, the director of engineering and construction at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said: "This is like doing delicate surgery as opposed to massive reconstruction.

"I think it's a great thing that we're not only making this for use as a motorcycle circuit, but we're improving the safety and the aesthetics of the oval."