Seven up for 2016

After months of doubt a new GP at a road race facility is added with MXGP venturing to Malaysia for the first time at the Sepang International Raceway. 

The event concludes a three-week Asian tour to start the campaign with the opener as usual in Qatar and round two, though still to be confirmed, at a new facility in Thailand. Suphan Buri is a tourist town about 60 miles north west of Bangkok.

After two seasons with minimal participation from the series regulars Mexico is moved to round five – one week after the Argentine GP.

The Netherlands will open and close the European tour with Valkenswaard and Assen in April and August but two of this year's rounds – Uddevalla and Talavera – are conspicuous by their absence.

It would appear that the Swedes have failed to convince Youthstream that the shortcomings this summer can be tackled as the free date on May 29, one week before France, is logistically unsuitable. 

Spain could clearly fill that gap more effectively if finance can be found.

WMX will once again start in Qatar while all GPs in Europe except for Arco and Assen will feature three additional classes.

The British GP at Matterley Basin moves away from its traditional Spring Bank Holiday date to June 18/19 and there is a three-weekend pause in July and only two GPs in August before the season culminates with the US twin finale.

The new venue is at Charlotte Motor Speedway – home of Nascar – and a Daytona-style track on the infield in front of pit lane can be expected. 

A conflict of spectator interest with Glen Helen is not anticipated as the two venues are as far apart as Latvia and Spain and the new contract is politically significant as US fans in the South East have been angered for years by the lack of a US National since Gainesville disappeared from the schedule in 1998.