Trackhouse Entertainment Group has elected to further expand its presence in the global motorsports industry, with the official announcement Tuesday that Justin Marks-owned group will field a team in the MotoGP World Championship starting in 2024.
The newly-formed organization will be managed by Trackhouse Entertainment Group from Nashville, Tennessee, but will be operated primarily in Noale, Italy, taking advantage of an alliance with motorcycle manufacturer Aprilla and the Piaggio Group.
A team presentation unveiling the founding riders, corporate partners, and livery for the Trackhouse Racing MotoGP effort will be held at a later date.
"This is a monumental moment for Trackhouse Entertainment Group," said Justin Marks. "It has been in the ethos of Trackhouse since the very first day to put in the work, have the vision, and deploy the enthusiasm and passion necessary to build one of the most valuable motorsports entertainment companies in the world. Our entry into the MotoGP World Championship is another step in the execution of that vision."
The 75-year-old FIM MotoGP World Championship is the premier motorcycle racing series in the world with eleven teams fielding two riders apiece. The 2024 schedule includes 22 races in 19 countries across five continents. The season begins on March 10 in Qatar with an American stop at Circuit of The Americas on April 14.
Trackhouse Entertainment Group is the owner of Trackhouse Racing's NASCAR Cup Series operation, which works out of Concord, North Carolina. After a full-time driving career in sports cars and NASCAR, Marks founded Trackhouse Racing in 2020 and started fielding Checvrolets in the Cup Series in 2021.
Off the track, Trackhouse Racing has proven itself, as a brand, to be a progressive, marketing-minded team, reimagining how the sport is presented to its fans, media partners, and sponsors. It brought in international entertainment superstar Pitbull as a team partner, created a new style of team clothing, increased digital presence to fans, and created live entertainment at racetracks throughout the season.
"We feel that MotoGP is perfectly positioned for massive growth in the coming years not only in the United States, but internationally," Marks added. "It has all of the ingredients necessary to continue its ride to global prominence: a thrilling on-track product, aspirational stars, unmatched fan and partner experience, and an environment that's fan-friendly and welcoming."
Trackhouse Racing will be the only American team in the MotoGP class, but the USA boasts a long list of successful riders including Eddie Lawson, Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts, Jr., Randy Mamola, Colin Edwards and the late Nicky Hayden.
Image Credit: Ben Jackson, Getty Images
