AMA: Its a Lot More Than Racing
11 April 1998
LAGUNA SECA RACEWAY -- Most people are coming here next weekend, April 17-19, for the national championship motorcycle racing at the Honda Challenge of Laguna Seca. But there will be a lot more going on, for friends and family as well as motorcycle enthusiasts.Performing stupendous stunts over the track on Saturday and Sunday will be the Skydive Monterey Bay Parachute Team. These daredevils start out nearly a mile in the sky. One-by-one, the divers free fall out of their plane, as Nicole DiFranco sings the Star Spangled Banner. Some do acrobatics. Others hook up in formations. They appear to be floating, when they are actually descending almost a fast as a superbike accelerates. With the final diver flying Old Glory, the team touches down on, "the land of the free."
Saturday night is the first Race Nite on the Row. It will be an evening of entertainment, displays and just plain fun on Cannery Row that is sure to become an annual event. The festivities start when the Roger Eddy Band and Red Beans and Rice start their first sets around 5pm. Racing bikes, sidecars and vintage motorcycles will be on display. There will be a special area for motorcycle parking. Cannery Row will be for cruising and keeping it cool. Merchants will be offering special discounts. The show wraps at 10pm, so everyone can get a good nights sleep before a long day of motorcycle racing.
At Noon on Sunday, before acing for the Superbike Championship starts, fans will have a chance to ride around Laguna Seca Raceway on their own bikes. Motorcycle police officers will control the pace -- from up front, not from behind as usual so riding through the Corkscrew will be exciting but also safe. Last year over 700 riders took advantage of the chance to experience Americas premier road racing track. More are expected to do a lap this year. Alone, the ride is almost worth coming to the races.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, motorcyclists will be able to check their helmets and leathers free-of-charge with the Christian Motorcycle Association, so it wont be necessary to carry them around.
Action starts everyday before 10am and everyone should get to the Honda Challenge of Laguna Seca early. Race tickets are also bus tickets to Laguna Seca Raceway from wherever Monterey Transit buses stop, and theres not a more convenient way to go.
All tickets include access to the Paddock, where racers and bikes can be seen up close and personal. Buying them in advance, at a BASS ticket outlet or by calling 1-800-327-SECA saves:
3-Day Super Ticket $50 in advance $65 at the gate (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)2-Day Super Ticket $40 in advance $55 at the gate (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Friday Super Ticket $10 in advance $15 at the gate
Saturday Super Ticket $20 in advance $25 at the gate
Sunday Super Ticket $30 in advance $45 at the gate
Superbike Super Ticket $110 in advance Not sold at the gate (3-day admission, Paddock access & grandstand seating for the Honda Challenge of Laguna Seca and the World Superbike event July 10-12.)
Flagroom TickeT $150 in advance Not sold at the gate (3-day admission, Preferred Parking & Hospitality in special area)
Youth Flagroom Ticket $45 in advance Not sold at the gate (5-12 year olds with parents)
Paddock motorcycle parking $5 per day - sold only at the gate
Event/Ticket Information Call: 1-800-327-SECA www.Laguna-Seca.com
Mailing address P.O. Box 2078 Monterey, CA 93942
Events 1998
April 17-19 Honda Challenge of Laguna Seca featuring AMA National Superbike Championship Round 3
July 10-12 Dunlop United States World Superbike Championship
August 14-16 The Chrysler Corporation presents the 25TH Annual Monterey Historic Automobile Races Featured Marque - Porsche
September 11-13 Honda Grand Prix of Monterey featuring the Texaco/Havoline 300
October 23-25 Visa Sports Car Championships presented by Honda featuring the FIA GT Championship finale
HONDA is the official automobile & motorcycle of Laguna Seca Raceway
Budweiser is the official beer of Laguna Seca Raceway
Laguna Seca Raceway has been operated by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula since its opening in 1957. SCRAMP is a non-profit organization chartered to benefit local charitable and non-profit groups and to promote economic vitality.
Race events at Laguna Seca Raceway race have resulted in over $8 million being distributed to Monterey Peninsula and Central California groups for youth programs and community service projects, and they have generated more than $1 billion in revenue for area businesses.
Today, SCRAMP is the most important economic and charitable organization in Monterey County.