Bernie makes surprise MotoGP visit

UPDATE Ecclestone usually makes it to one MotoGP race a year, but almost always attends on a qualifying or race day. The visit looked more like a business trip, with Ecclestone inspecting the facility. It has been rumored for several weeks that Ecclestone has acquired the rights to run the track and may even have bought the entire circuit, although the details of the deal are not entirely clear at the moment. This deal came about after he paid the FIA fine for the promoter after the podium incident at last year's Turkish Grand Prix. Grandprix.com

04/20/07 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has surprised the motor racing world by turning up at the scene of this weekend's MotoGP round in Turkey.

'Motorcycle News' said it is not clear why the formula one supremo is in Istanbul, or why he oddly sat in to watch and listen to the pre-event press conference, but the 76-year-old later seemed happy to pose for a photograph with the talented and popular rider Valentino Rossi.

Rossi was speaking at the press conference, sparking recollections of Ecclestone's previous on-the-record support for the Italian's near-switch to F1 in recent years.

But Rossi, who has tested for Ferrari on several occasions, finally put a stop to the speculation by committing for 2007 and beyond to MotoGP.

With his flamboyant on and off-track personality, however, Bernie said in 2005 that Rossi would be "ideal" for his four-wheeled sport.