Qatar MotoGP: Night race to be held until 2016

Night racing at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar will be staged until at least 2016 after a new eight-year contract was signed with rights owners Dorna tonight (Friday).

The Qatar circuit, which will create history on Sunday night by hosting the first night race under floodlights, is the first circuit to renew on a long-term deal with Dorna.

Currently, the longest deal in place for an existing race is until 2011.

A decision on whether Qatar will retain the right to stage the first MotoGP of the season has yet to be finalised.

Some calls have been made to move the race to a later slot in the year, with concerns that a March date results in track temperatures being too cold.

When MotoGP first came to the Middle East in 2004, the race was held in September when temperatures consistently peak at over 40 degrees.

Losail bosses confirmed tonight that they will be seeking to retain its status as the season’s opening race.