British motorcycle Grand Prix
 | |
| Grand Prix motorcycle racing | |
|---|---|
| Venue |
Silverstone Circuit (1977-1986, 2010-2016) Donington Park (1987-2009) |
| First race | 1977 |
| Most wins (rider) | Valentino Rossi (8) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) | Honda (40) |
The British motorcycle Grand Prix is a motorcycling event that is part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. Before 1977, the only British round was the Isle of Man TT, which was part of the FIM championship from its inauguration in 1949 until 1976.
The Isle of Man TT was the most prestigious event on the Grand Prix motorcycling calendar from 1949-1972. After the 1972 event, multiple world champion Giacomo Agostini dropped a bombshell on the motorsports world by stating he would never race at the Isle of Man TT again, stating the 37-mile (62 km) circuit was too dangerous for international competition. His friend Gilberto Parlotti was killed during the event. Many riders followed Agostini's boycotting of the next 4 events, and after the 1976 season, the Isle of Man TT was scratched from the FIM calendar.
The first so-called British motorcycle Grand Prix in 1977 was the first held on the British mainland, at the Silverstone Circuit. The event moved to Donington Park in 1987, and back to Silverstone in 2010.[1]
Dorna Sports, the commercial rights holder of what is now known as MotoGP, revealed that they had signed a deal for the British GP to be held at the yet-to-be constructed Circuit of Wales from 2015.[2] However, the developer has stated that the circuit will be ready in 2016; so the 2015 British motorcycle Grand Prix will return to Donington Park for 2015 only.[3]
The British Grand Prix had been scheduled to return to Donington Park for the first time since 2009, ahead of a planned move to the brand-new Circuit of Wales in 2016.However, Donington Park pulled out of hosting the event on 10 February 2015, citing financial delays.The following day, it was announced that Silverstone would host the British Grand Prix in 2015 and 2016.
Winners of the British motorcycle Grand Prix
Multiple winners (riders)
| # Wins | Rider | Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Years won | ||
| 8 |  Valentino Rossi |
MotoGP | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015 |
| 250 cc | 1999 | ||
| 125 cc | 1997 | ||
| 6 |  Ángel Nieto |
125 cc | 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 |
 Anton Mang |
350 cc | 1980, 1981 | |
| 250 cc | 1978, 1981, 1985, 1987 | ||
 Kork Ballington |
350 cc | 1977, 1978, 1979 | |
| 250 cc | 1977, 1979, 1980 | ||
| 4 | Jorge Lorenzo |
MotoGP | 2010, 2012, 2013 |
| 250 cc | 2006 | ||
| Loris Capirossi |
250 cc | 1994, 1998 | |
| 125 cc | 1990, 1991 | ||
| Luca Cadalora |
500 cc | 1993 | |
| 250 cc | 1988, 1990, 1991 | ||
 Kevin Schwantz |
500 cc | 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994 | |
| 3 |  Casey Stoner |
MotoGP | 2011, 2008, 2007 |
| Michael Doohan |
MotoGP | 1995, 1996, 1997 | |
| Kenny Roberts |
500 cc | 1978, 1979, 1983 | |
| Andrea Dovizioso |
MotoGP | 2009 | |
| 250 cc | 2007 | ||
| 125 cc | 2004 | ||
| Max Biaggi |
MotoGP | 2003 | |
| 250 cc | 1995, 1996 | ||
Multiple winners (manufacturers)
| # Wins | Manufacturer | Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Years won | ||
| 40 |  Honda |
MotoGP | 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2014 |
| 500 cc | 1984, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001 | ||
| 250 cc | 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2009 | ||
| 125 cc | 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2004 | ||
| Moto3 | 2012, 2014, 2015 | ||
| 22 | Aprilia |
250 cc | 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 |
| 125 cc | 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 | ||
| 18 | Yamaha |
MotoGP | 2004, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 |
| 500 cc | 1978, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1998 | ||
| 350 cc | 1977 | ||
| 250 cc | 1977, 1982, 1984, 1990 | ||
By year
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References
- ↑ Noyes, Dennis; Scott, Michael (1999), Motocourse: 50 Years Of Moto Grand Prix, Hazleton Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-874557-83-7
- ↑ http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-28778032
- ↑ http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115672