Schwantz statement about COTA in Austin

[Arnie]

Just read this statement quoted by Superbikeplanet.com  Anyone have any further information??

-Arnie


This just in from 34 Texas MotoGP:

"I have devoted over 25 years of my life to MotoGP, the premier motorcycle road racing world championship. I spent four of those years bringing MotoGP to Texas, my home state. As a result, MotoGP agreed in 2011 to host an annual race at Austin's Circuit of the Americas (COTA) track."

"I'm sorry to say that COTA is now attempting to unlawfully force me out of this project. I believe COTA has committed fraud in doing so. Earlier today, I took legal action against COTA. I was forced to file this lawsuit in order to protect my rights, my reputation, and MotoGP itself."

"I want to see MotoGP come to Texas, but I cannot allow COTA to take advantage of me. More important, I will not sit idly by while a newcomer to racing discredits the sport I love."

--Kevin Schwantz, President of 3fourTexasMGP, LLC

[JMR]

Kevin always struck me as a stand up guy. I remember the AMA pulling similar shenanigans with Roger Edmondson. The AMA blew tons of cash in litigation and ultimately lost. The settlement was for 2 or 3 million dollars. I cancelled my AMA membership after that.

[RichBaker]

From http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120907/F1/120909873

"But, the suit says, "Defendants COTA and Steve Sexton [COTA's President] wanted the MotoGP race, but did not want to have to pay 3four as the promoter. So, while purportedly negotiating with 3four, COTA was actually scheming to side-step 3four and deal directly with Dorna so it could pay less by cutting 3four out of the picture. Through tortious interference and fraud, COTA and Sexton encouraged Dorna to breach and purportedly terminate 3four's agreement to avoid the obligation to pay 3four. 3four sues for what it is owed as the exclusive promoter of MotoGP in Texas."

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120907/f1/120909873#ixzz25w3aLoKF

Sounds like the owner(s) of CotA are a little shady.....