Work underway on Indy road course

The track layout will be different to the one used by Formula One since 2000, and the bikes will also go in the opposite direction when they race at the circuit next year.

Track officials are hoping that the work will be completed before May 2008, when the practice and qualifying process for the Indianapolis 500 will begin.

"Our motorcycle event is September 14 2008, and we have a little event called the Indy 500 in May so you really can't work on anything in May," said Joie Chitwood, president and chief operating officer of Indianapolis Motor Speedway

"So the goal is to get it done as soon as possible so that we're prepared for May, for the Indy 500, and our other events."

However, the plan is to have most of the work completed by the end of October 2007, before the cold weather prevents certain work from being carried out.

Kevin Forbes, IMS director of engineering and construction, said: "I think we'll see the majority of the completion occur by the end of October.

"Really, the weather has to be conducive to racetrack paving, and that typically means warm temperatures. So we really need to get the majority of this done by October.

"I think we would probably be ready to test a motorcycle here, at speed, probably sometime in July 2008."