Qatar will host a leg of the MotoGP series next year, according to the provisional 2004 calendar, but the Japanese GP must still be confirmed due to safety concerns.
Qatar will host a leg of the MotoGP series next year, according to the provisional 2004 calendar, but the Japanese GP must still be confirmed due to safety concerns.
The races on next year’s calendar have been increased from 16 to 17. But the Suzuka race has a question mark hanging over it following Daijiro Kato’s fatal accident at the circuit this year. The season starts earlier than this year and the South African race takes place on April 18.
Like Rio and Assen, Qatar will also be a Saturday race. There are rumours that it could be held in the evening to avoid the high temperatures in the day. Qatar is also likely to host a leg of the World Superbike Championship in 2005.
A race in Birmingham, Alabama, is expected to be added to the 2005 MotoGP calendar.
2004 MotoGP provisional calendar:
April 4 Japan (to be confirmed), Suzuka
April 18 South Africa, Welkom
May 2 Spain, Jerez de la Frontera
May 16 France, Le Mans
May 30 Italy, Mugello
June 13 Catalunya, Barcelona
June 26 Netherlands, Assen
July 11 Britain, Donington Park
July 18 Germany, Sachsenring
July 31 Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
August 22 Czech Republic, Brno
September 5 Portugal, Estoril
September 19 Pacific, Motegi, Japan
October 2 Qatar, Doha
October 10 Malaysia, Sepang
October 17 Australia, Phillip Island
October 31 Valencia, Valencia.
