I have read several reports regarding my attendance at the MotoGP test last week in Austin. I would like to make this statement:
“I had been in Switzerland over the weekend where I was the guest speaker at the St. Gallen University. I returned to Texas on Tuesday evening and on Thursday I was at CotA for the MotoGP test, with a proper credential supplied by the Attack team, to coach Blake Young. Additionally I was an invited guest of the LCR Honda team.
While there, CotA security informed me that CotA management requested I leave the track immediately and was not welcomed at the circuit. CotA’s security force also accused me of criminal trespass and warned I would be arrested the next time I entered the track.
This comes as a tremendous disappointment to Honda, Blake Young, and myself. Especially because I am single-handedly responsible for bringing MotoGP to Texas and for the initial design of the facility to accommodate MotoGP racing.”
Rider Files 
I bet Kevin has more friends and fans than COTA does. That’s really all that matters at the end of the day. I say boycott the track…Kevin doesn’t deserve this BS!!
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Exactly Pat. Why alienate the thousands of Schwantz fans out there? At the very least don’t be ass wipes and kick our legend out of the track. I don’t advocate boycotting the race, but I would put a letter into them encouraging a new tact.
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Voice your concerns here:
media@circuitoftheamericas.com
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I dont understand,what am I missing? I have been telling anyone who would listen for quite some time now about the work Kevin has done to help create COTA, the huge role he had in getting Moto GP to add COTA to their schedule that will no doubt stimulate large revenue for the circuit and local economy. does it have something to do with the initial contract issues? Why does the management have such a problem with Kevin, an Icon in the sport?
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I bet they wouldn’t kick Mario Andretti out of the track, no matter what.
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Dave,
My understanding is Schwantz is suing COTA. Still, lawsuits happen everyday. Why not be a little more professional about this and not be so friggin’ petty? COTA is certainly getting off on the wrong foot by kicking out #34.
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Larry, its like COTA has no respect for Schwantz, our sport or the fans. They dont see the big picture, or dont consider our sport part of it. Frign turncoats!
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Was hoping to see “The Schwantz” at Austin GP. Unfortunate situation; hope this is resolved amicably.
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I want to head a petition to instate Kevin Schwantz as the sole Grand Marshall for the Inaugural Moto GP, including full access to the facility as he see,s fit. Anyone got any idea,s how to get that done? maybe every fan and manufacture could email COTA this request thousands of times until they make it happen.
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COTA respondes:
Hi Larry,
Thanks for your call.
It is well known that Kevin Schwantz filed suit against Circuit of The Americas last year, and that case is working its way through the legal system. The MotoGP test that was hosted by the Circuit last week was a private event, and open only to participating teams and invited media. Mr. Schwantz was not invited to attend the session by Circuit of The Americas, and as a private property owner, the Circuit determines who has access to its facility.
Mr. Schwantz does not have any relationship with Circuit of The Americas. He is not one of the investors who spent $400 million to design and build the facility.
Finally, Circuit of The Americas is the organization responsible for bringing MotoGP to Texas through its promotional agreement with the commercial rights holder Dorna.
Thanks for touching base with us!
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Business dealings and disagreements apparently made the law suit happen, but if COTA doesn’t give some credit to Kevin for drawing MotoGP they are more arrogant than I can imagine. I’m thinking boycott the race so they are aware of the level of respect most of us feel Kevin should be shown…
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Larry I sent them this following up their answer to you
I saw your response to Larry Lawrence but it still leaves some questions in my mind.
If Kevin Schwantz was a contracted consultant to a invited team why would he not be considered part of that invited team? If he had credentials how did he get them?
What does the lawsuit have to do with his working for a team at the track that was doing official testing as sanctioned by Dorna?
Why would you deliberately antagonize someone who already had a lawsuit against you with something that you had to know would cause you blow back by motorcycle fans and media?
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This is just a travesty all around, let alone to #34. But it also leaves a sore spot for the sport, the track and the fans. So much for a third U.S. round of MotoGP. Sad day.
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This is really unfortunate for our sport. Kevin has done nothing except be a ambassador for Moto-Gp and Road Racing in general. He has fans not only in the US but all over the world. Cota should wake-up.
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The United States needs high quality races to come to our country. Boycotting would not help us to have a quality race on our shores. Not only that it hurts the riders.
The lawsuit is a seperate issue that may have discovery issues associated with Kevin being on the private property.
Continue to support the race, leave the courtroom battle for the courtroom.
Bll Hougaboom
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Very sad. I don’t know who’s right and who’s wrong. All I know is that it is a tragedy that, according to all that have seen it, one of the finest race tracks in the world and one of the finest MotoGP riders (American and Texan) can’t resolve this before us fans have to choose sides…..
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