Indy road course making progress

Construction crews are keen to get the asphalt down as soon as possible before harsh winter weather is expected. Mild days of late have eased matters.

The circuit gained permission from local councils to re-ruote an old stream that was just inside turn one of the oval in order to make way for the new turn one of the course to be used by the bikes.

Turns 7, 8 and 9 have been altered from the initial design with the latter being opened out to improve speed onto the back straight.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials in Valencia this weekend have said that ticket sales are going well even though they have not really pushed the promotion too hard to date.

"We are going to start promoting the MotoGP event in earnest next week," an IMS official said.

"We are confident of a big gate. It could very easily be a full house with the initial interest we've had. Chicago, Cincinnati, Louisville, St Louis, and Columbus are all close. Seven percent of the US population is within five to six hours driving time from the circuit."