Misano World Circuit
Encyclopedia
The Misano World Circuit and before 2006 called Circuito Internazionale Santamonica, is an Italian racetrack
located next to the town of Misano Adriatico
(Province of Rimini
) in the frazione
of Santamonica. Originally designed in 1969 as a length of 3.488 kilometres (2.17 mi), it hosted its first event in 1972. In 1993, the track length was increased to 4.064 kilometres (2.53 mi).
As of 2007
, it began hosting the San Marino and Rimini's Coast Grand Prix
as part of the MotoGP
World Championship.
On 3 November 2011, the circuit owners announced that it will be named after Marco Simoncelli
, the Italian motorcycle racer
who died during the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix
in Sepang
. Simoncelli was born in nearby Cattolica
and lived since childhood in Coriano
.
, from 1985
to 1987
. In 1993 it was modified for the first time: the track length was increased to 4.06 kilometres (2.52 mi), with the possibility to race both the long and the old short loop; moreover, new facilities and new pit garages were built. It was at Misano during the 1993 Italian Grand Prix
that the defending 500cc World Champion Wayne Rainey
's career ended after he fell and suffered a broken spine. Between 1996 and 2001 all facilities were improved further, adding more pits and stands. In 2005, a new access point to the circuit was built, Via Daijiro Kato
(Daijiro Kato street) in honor of the late Japanese rider, killed during the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix
, who loved to live in the Portoverde frazione
of Misano Adriatico.
In order to host again the World motorcycle championship
, the circuit was extensively modified in 2006. The circuit direction was changed to clockwise direction, the track length was brought to 4.180 km, track width has been widened to 14 meters, facilities were improved, and all security measures have been applied. The first MotoGP race held on the circuit after the modifications was the 2007 San Marino and Rimini's Coast Grand Prix
, which was won by "home" marque Ducati
.
During the 2010 Moto2 event, Japanese rider Shoya Tomizawa
was killed after losing control of his bike and being subsequently struck by both Scott Redding
and Alex de Angelis
. Coincidentally this incident occurred 17 years to the day of Wayne Rainey's career ending incident also at Misano.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
located next to the town of Misano Adriatico
Misano Adriatico
Misano Adriatico is a comune in the Province of Rimini in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 120 km southeast of Bologna and about 14 km southeast of Rimini....
(Province of Rimini
Province of Rimini
The Province of Rimini is a province in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Rimini. It borders the state of San Marino.-History:...
) in the frazione
Frazione
A frazione , in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a comune; for other administrative divisions, see municipio, circoscrizione, quartiere...
of Santamonica. Originally designed in 1969 as a length of 3.488 kilometres (2.17 mi), it hosted its first event in 1972. In 1993, the track length was increased to 4.064 kilometres (2.53 mi).
As of 2007
2007 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 2007 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 59th F.I.M Road Racing World Championship season. The 2007 season was significant as it introduced a new regulation which specifies that competitors in the MotoGP class can use up to 800 cc motorcycles; between 2002 and 2006, competitors had...
, it began hosting the San Marino and Rimini's Coast Grand Prix
San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix
The San Marino and Rimini Coast's motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that is part of the World Motorcycle Racing season. The name of the race is a misnomer as the race has always taken place in Italy, but because there is already an Italian motorcycle Grand Prix it was called the San...
as part of the MotoGP
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
World Championship.
On 3 November 2011, the circuit owners announced that it will be named after Marco Simoncelli
Marco Simoncelli
Marco Simoncelli was an Italian motorcycle racer. He competed in the Road Racing World Championship for 10 years from 2002 to 2011. He started in the 125cc class before moving up to the 250cc class in 2006. He won the 250cc World Championship with Gilera in 2008. After four years in the...
, the Italian motorcycle racer
Motorcycle racing
Motorcycle sport is a broad field that encompasses all sporting aspects of motorcycling. The disciplines are not all "races" or timed-speed events, as several disciplines test a competitor's various riding skills.-Motorcycle racing:...
who died during the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix
2011 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix
The 2011 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix was the seventeenth round of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on the weekend of October 21–23, 2011 at the Sepang International Circuit, but the Moto GP race was red flagged and subsequently cancelled after two laps due to a...
in Sepang
Sepang International Circuit
The Sepang International Circuit is a racing circuit in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia. It is located near Kuala Lumpur International Airport, approximately 60 km south of the capital city Kuala Lumpur. It is the venue used for the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, A1 Grand Prix as well as the...
. Simoncelli was born in nearby Cattolica
Cattolica
Cattolica is a town and comune in the Province of Rimini, Italy, with 16,233 inhabitants.-History:Archaeological excavations show that the area was already settled in Roman times....
and lived since childhood in Coriano
Coriano
Coriano is a comune in the province of Rimini. This town is known for being the city of the Motorcycle World Champion, in 250cc class, Marco Simoncelli.- History :Coriano's origins are ancient: it was an Umbrian, Etruscan and Roman colony...
.
History
Misano World Circuit was designed in 1969; it was built from 1970 and 1972, and inaugurated that year. Its initial length was 3,488 km and only had a small, open pit area. This version of the circuit hosted three editions of the San Marino motorcycle Gran PrixSan Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix
The San Marino and Rimini Coast's motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that is part of the World Motorcycle Racing season. The name of the race is a misnomer as the race has always taken place in Italy, but because there is already an Italian motorcycle Grand Prix it was called the San...
, from 1985
1985 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1985 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 37th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Honda's Freddie Spencer gave a dominating performance becoming the first man to win the 250 and 500 championships in the same year. Defending champion Eddie Lawson finished in...
to 1987
1987 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1987 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 39th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Wayne Gardner became Australia's first-ever 500cc World Champion in a season that saw him score points in every Grand Prix. Randy Mamola would finish second yet again, one point...
. In 1993 it was modified for the first time: the track length was increased to 4.06 kilometres (2.52 mi), with the possibility to race both the long and the old short loop; moreover, new facilities and new pit garages were built. It was at Misano during the 1993 Italian Grand Prix
1993 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix
The 1993 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix was the twelfth race of the 1993 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on September 5, 1993 at the Misano circuit.-500 cc race report:...
that the defending 500cc World Champion Wayne Rainey
Wayne Rainey
Wayne Wesley Rainey, born in Downey, California, United States, is a former American Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he won the 500cc World Championship three times and the Daytona 200 once. He was characterized by his smooth, calculating riding...
's career ended after he fell and suffered a broken spine. Between 1996 and 2001 all facilities were improved further, adding more pits and stands. In 2005, a new access point to the circuit was built, Via Daijiro Kato
Daijiro Kato
was a Japanese Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and the 2001 World Champion in the 250cc class.-Biography:Kato was born in Saitama, and started racing miniature bikes at an early age, becoming a four-time national champion in the Japanese pocket-bike championship.He began road racing in 1992, and...
(Daijiro Kato street) in honor of the late Japanese rider, killed during the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix
2003 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix
The 2003 Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix was the first round of the 2003 MotoGP Championship. It took place on the weekend of 4 -April 6, 2003 at Suzuka. The meeting was overshadowed by the death of Daijiro Kato in the MotoGP race, after he crashed at 130R and hit the barrier at high speed in the...
, who loved to live in the Portoverde frazione
Frazione
A frazione , in Italy, is the name given in administrative law to a type of territorial subdivision of a comune; for other administrative divisions, see municipio, circoscrizione, quartiere...
of Misano Adriatico.
In order to host again the World motorcycle championship
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
, the circuit was extensively modified in 2006. The circuit direction was changed to clockwise direction, the track length was brought to 4.180 km, track width has been widened to 14 meters, facilities were improved, and all security measures have been applied. The first MotoGP race held on the circuit after the modifications was the 2007 San Marino and Rimini's Coast Grand Prix
2007 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix
The 2007 San Marino and Rimini's Coast motorcycle Grand Prix was the thirteenth round of the 2007 MotoGP Championship. It took place on the weekend of 31 August-2 September 2007 at the Misano World Circuit in Misano Adriatico.- MotoGP classification :...
, which was won by "home" marque Ducati
Ducati Motor Holding
Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. is a motorcycle manufacturer in Bologna, Italy. It produces motorcycles for both road use and motorcycle racing.- History :...
.
During the 2010 Moto2 event, Japanese rider Shoya Tomizawa
Shoya Tomizawa
was a Japanese motorcycle racer. After a successful career in the All Japan Road Race Championship, he switched to MotoGP and competed in the 250cc class during 2009. In the 2010 season he rode in the newly created Moto2 class...
was killed after losing control of his bike and being subsequently struck by both Scott Redding
Scott Redding
Scott Christopher Redding , is an English Grand Prix motorcycle racer who currently rides in the 600cc Moto2 class for team Marc VDS Racing Team. He holds the distinction of being the youngest rider in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing to ever win a race, breaking Marco Melandri's 10-year...
and Alex de Angelis
Alex de Angelis
Alex de Angelis is a Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from San Marino.Alex made his debut at world championship level in 1999 in the 125 cc class; his first full season was in 2000, when his best results were two sixth places. He rode a total of four full seasons in the 125cc category...
. Coincidentally this incident occurred 17 years to the day of Wayne Rainey's career ending incident also at Misano.