IRTA restricts MotoGP teams from taking personal food supply to Japan – MotoGP news
International Racing Teams Association (IRTA) has warned the MotoGP teams not to carry any type of food items to Japan.
The teams are conscious about the nuclear radiation at the surroundings of the Twin Ring Motegi circuit.
A disastrous earthquake and tsunami shook Japan earlier in 2011. During the trauma, a nuclear plant, Fukushima was breached and caused threats of nuclear radiation in the country. Though the plant is about 100 kilometres away from Motegi circuit, but the
effects were expected to be causing trouble at the venue.
In order to be cautious, many teams requested to take their personal food supply to Japan. However, the IRTA issue an order which read, “We have been asked by Dorna to inform you that you should not pack food with your freight. Discovery by the Japanese
Customs could result in delays or penalties imposed by the Japanese authorities.”
Earlier in the season, following the earthquake disaster, many riders decided to boycott the Grand Prix of Japan. The biggest problem was to confirm the intensity of radiations.
Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Marco Simoncelli were the likeliest to skip the event. Many other riders also showed their concerns about the safety measures.
The IRTA document further stated as, “We repeat that, in our opinion, transport of food is unnecessary. Government agencies have not issued any general warnings about food consumption. Furthermore the independent report commissioned by Dorna reported on
sampling and testing of many types of food at Motegi and the surrounding area and found absolutely no problems.”
After a lot of criticism on the Japanese event, the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) and Dorna Sports called ARPA agency to do its research. The ARPA took detailed tests and searched for any kind of radioactive problem or its after affects.
After a detailed testing, the French agency declared in a report that Motegi and its surroundings are safe for MotoGP to conduct its event. Finally, the riders have agreed after a report was issued but are still a bit sceptical about it.
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