Finland is poised to join the MotoGP schedule soon, hopefully hosting its first race already in two years.
“The aim is to get a MotoGP race organised in Finland already in two years, but at the latest it will happen in 2019,” says Tapio Nevala, Chairman of the Suomen Moottoriliitto, Finland’s federation for the promotion of motorcycling and snowmobiling.
Finland will host the world championship race on the KymiRing circuit, currently under construction in the southern municipality of Iitti.
Over 270 million TV viewers tune in each year to watch the Grand Prix series, and up to hundreds of thousands of spectators show up to follow the races.
“This will directly affect tourism in the Kouvola and Lahti regions, along with Finland’s public relations value on the international scene. We are talking about a pretty big deal,” says Nevala.
Souped-up bikes
MotoGP is an eighteen-race series held in over a dozen countries. The world’s most skilled riders represent their home country and compete with prototype machinery from motorcycle manufacturers like Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha.
The motorcycles used in the Grand Prix are purpose-built and the championship is currently divided into three classes: MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3, all of which use four-stroke engines.
A Grand Prix event takes place over three days, with the first two for practice and qualification and the third devoted to racing.
Favourite son
Mika Kallio is Finland’s best-known motorcycle racer. He signed a contract with Pramac Racing Team in the premier MotoGP class in 2009.
He was named Rookie of the Year his first year, but a shoulder injury slowed his progress. His best race results during his two years in MotoGP put him in 7th position.
In 2011 Mika moved down to the Moto2 class and joined the Belgian Marc VDS Racing Team. He finished fourth in this class in 2013 season and second in 2014. His website says he is now determined to re-join the MotoGP class in the 2017 season.