The FIM MXGP Motocross World Championship will have a few small changes for next season when the 18 round calendar with six flyaway events will represent the longest in the history of the sport.
In addition to three new venues in Argentina, Thailand, Assen (with Villars sous Ecot hosting the French Grand Prix for the first time this century after formerly entertaining the 1988 Motocross of Nations) other circuits are undergoing renovations. Perhaps the most significant is Loket in the Czech Republic.
The age-old hardpack will remove the expensively constructed and unpopular new start straight that was unveiled two years ago and of which the majority of spectators could not see to once more revert to the classic section situated in the heart of the valley setting. Loket will therefore again have one of the longest straights on the GP schedule; unless re-situating the Skybox viewing structure means shortening the area towards the tricky uphill left first turn.
The Skybox – a VIP platform located above the start gate that includes the podium area and with pre-start waiting bays directly below – has been in use for two years now in MXGP and allegedly will be expanded for 2015. A second Skybox unit will be located in a different part of most European circuits to expand the VIP experience.
Lastly it looks like a familiar face is in the running for the TV presenter role for 2015 after the departure of Amy Dargan to work in MotoGP. Lisa Leyland was face behind the camera in MXGP in 2009 and 2010 and later moved to work for the FIM in events like the Endurance World Championship, Trial and the ISDE.
