Night riding at Qatar!

[R1 Biker]

Friday, 31st March 2006

Spanish Grand Prix winner Loris Capirossi will be one of several riders taking to the Losail circuit, venue for next weekend's Qatar Grand Prix, after darkness on Thursday - to evaluate the possibility of future night racing at the desert track.

NASCAR type night racing, as well as providing a unique spectacle for MotoGP, would allow the track action to take place during much cooler conditions - with ambient temperatures having nudged a fire-breathing 50 degrees at Losail in the past. This year, the race has been moved forward from October to April, which may also help to reduce such temperatures.

"We have a plan to ride streetbikes - I'll have a Ducati 999 - around the track (with fellow riders' safety commission members Valentino Rossi and Kenny Roberts Junior) on Thursday night, to see if it's feasible to run future Qatar GPs in the dark, when it will be much cooler," confirmed early 2006 championship leader Capirossi. "They have erected floodlights at several corners, so it will be an interesting experience!"

With Qatar a Saturday race, the night riding test will take place after Thursday's opening pair of free practice sessions.