INDIANAPOLIS -- Racing of the two-wheel variety will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday after a nearly 100-year absence.

City officials welcomed MotoGP racers and their fans with an event on Monument Circle Tuesday, the first of many motorcycle-related festivities planned ahead of the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.

City officials said they expect Sunday's race to bring about 100,000 fans to Indianapolis.

"We estimate about $100 million in direct spending over these next several days. That's money spent in hotels and restaurants, shopping, merchandise," said Bob Schultz with the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association.

Many of the MotoGP fans are international, coming in from as far away as Japan, Australia, Indonesia and Thailand.

"In Europe, it's a big thing. In Spain and Italy, it's massive, and in the U.K. now," said John Bent, who traveled to Indianapolis from England. "Indianapolis is a fantastic city. We're really enjoying it."

The last motorcycle race at the IMS was held in 1909, the very first year that the speedway was open. In those days, the bikes went about 45 miles per hour. MotoGP bikes go 200 miles per hour and race rain or shine.

The IMS has a three-year commitment to host the MotoGP grand prix with an option to renew.

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More Information: Indianapolis Motor Speedway MotoGP Information