Misano World Circuit To Be Named After Marco Simoncelli

The Misano World Circuit is to honor Marco Simoncelli by renaming itself after the Italian, who died in a tragic accident in Sepang. In a press statement issued today, the track announced that it was in talks with Simoncelli’s family, the foundation that has been set up in his name and with the fan club to find the best way to name the circuit after Simoncelli.

Misano was Simoncelli’s home circuit, the San Carlo Gresini Honda rider living in Coriano, just a few kilometers from the track. After Simoncelli’s death, there were immediate calls to rename the track after the Italian, but the board of the circuit held off to discuss the best way to honor Simoncelli. The board has now agreed to rename the track, but will do so in such a way as to avoid any associations in its marketing and branding, to avoid any appearance of exploiting his name. The question will be dealt with as senstively as possible, in accordance with the wishes of Simoncelli’s family.

The circuit has now started the process of renaming the circuit, but this will take some time. A formal announcement is expected at some point in the future, once all of the legal implications have been dealt with.

Source: http://www.misanocircuit.com/index.php?page=news&cod=75 & http:// Motomatters.com

That's pretty cool:

From MotoGP:

The board of directors decided unanimously to accept the proposal of associating the name of its sports facilities at Misano with the late MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli.

“We owe it to the memory of Sic,” said Lucas Colaiacovo, Vice President of the circuit. “We owe it to his family, to the hundreds of thousands of fans who admired his courage and humanity, all of the individuals in the sporting world and media who support this spontaneous and moving proposal. We are pleased and proud to associate the Misano circuit with Marco Simoncelli, a champion in sport and in life.”

“Within the next few hours we will contact the family to announce our decision and thank them for their willingness they have offered during this difficult time. Marco will be forever with us, thanks to the initiatives that will come together in the coming months,” added Colaiacovo.

Within their formal legal request for the name association, the Council of Santamonica Spa stressed that Simoncelli’s name will not be used for marketing or brand related commercial activities related to the Misano circuit.

Another tribute to the memory of Marco Simoncelli was seen this evening at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. The San Carlo Honda Gresini team set up its box with the number 58 bike on display, with a banner at the back of the garage featuring a portrait of the late Italian racer and a moving tribute that reads (in Italian): “Goodbye Marco, it was and honor and privilege to work with you.”

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/misa ... Simoncelli

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