EXCITING CONTENT
“ There are some times that you get contacted directly by the circuits that would like to understand if there could be a possibility to have WorldSBK race ,” said Lavilla - himself no mean former racer with 12 WorldSBK podiums to his credit , on three different brands of machinery . It is not one-way traffic , of course , as sometimes it is the championship organisers who make a first move . It does happen at least on occasion , if it suits their strategic plan . “ Sometimes you think that there could be a possibility and then you call ,” said Lavilla with one caveat . “ So , let ’ s say that last one happens not so often because we normally have our calendar and our commitments and normally there is a continuity , so there are not many options left . It ’ s more often that the circuits contact Dorna , or me personally if they know me . If not , sometimes to our MotoGP colleagues from Dorna and then we establish if the interest is MotoGP and if the track is suitable for MotoGP . Or it ’ s not suitable for MotoGP but it could be suitable for WorldSBK . Or for both - or for none . Then obviously we have this communication , and then every side starts dealing with the parties involved .”
Obviously Covid-19 has affected the best laid plans in racing like in every other area of contemporary life . “ COVID changed a little bit the situation because there was another factor that you needed to analyse in terms of track and it was when it was possible to race ,” said Lavilla . “ So , last year as well we had Estoril and basically Europe was an area that we felt it could be possible to race .” One new 2021 circuit was already in discussion . “ In the past we had some contact with Navarra , and this year our commitment was to stick with the thirteen originally planned races , then we saw that again the idea of riding there . And Most , through the Federation , contacted us .” Any initial contact is just that - contact . Then the work really begins if a new round is going to be adopted . “ It ’ s not like you call and you ’ ve got the race . There are many parameters to consider ,” said Lavilla . “ Basically the first one is the possibility of the track in terms of safety , in terms of equipment , or where they can reach with the investment that ’ s necessary . Then comes the commercial agreement in terms of what are the conditions for us to go there . As well , we value the regions ,
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