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IMS ready for 8th running of Red Bull Indianapolis Moto GP

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It’s another big weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as riders prepare for the 8th running of the Red Bull Indianapolis Moto GP.

The Brickyard 400 was just two weeks ago, so it’s a short turn around to get things ready for this race. The track is back in the road course configuration, similar to how it is for the Grand Prix, but IMS President Doug Boles says there are other factors to keep in mind for motorcycles compared to Indy cars.

“Motorcycles crash differently than cars do. so you have air fencing and air walls and different ways to protect the riders vs the SAFER walls that protects the drivers on the track. so that’s a little bit different about how we prepare. The track surface is also really, really important to these riders, so those are things we will adjust throughout the weekend, based on rider feedback,” Boles said.

The event is expected to draw a large crowd to Indianapolis. Leaders say the motorcycles draw different people to IMS than other events and it’s obvious they are very passionate about the bikes.

“There is an international flair to this event that we really don’t get at our other events. So you have people in their country’s colors or their brand’s colors for the motorcycles they love so much. That’s what’s neat at the race track, but then it bleeds out to the whole community. You can’t go any where in Indianapolis without seeing lots of motorcycles,” Boles said.

Gates open Friday morning at 8. The first practice begins at 9 a.m. and the Moto Midway will open at 10 a.m. Saturday is qualifying in the afternoon, but you can get into the track starting at 7 a.m.

There will be three moto races Sunday – the first at 11 a.m., the next at 12:20 and the third at 2 p.m. Then there’s a superbike race at 3:30.There are still tickets available for all of the weekend events.

Boles says once this weekend is complete, IMS staff will quickly turn their focus to the planning and preparation for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016.