In an apparent show of displeasure with his pending legal battle with the Circuit of the Americas over the rights to promote the upcoming MotoGP round, former 500cc Grand Prix world champion Kevin Schwantz was escorted off the CotA premises by track security during the recent private Honda/Yamaha MotoGP test there, despite having full MotoGP credentials and being an invited guest of the LCR Honda team. Schwantz's primary reason for being at the test was as a coach for wild card rider Blake Young who was riding the Attack Racing CRT entry.
Schwantz issued this statement today about the incident:
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."