Historic Motorcycles Expand Presence at Spring Classic Showcasing Nitro Revival May 18-20
Experience two-wheel history in motion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
MONTEREY, Calif., May 14, 2018 — The Spring Classic Showcasing Nitro Revival at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca May 18-20 is a celebration of motorsports highlighting golden eras in various forms of racing from the 1960s through the 2000s. Fantastic reception to the inclusion of the Historic Motorcycle group at the inaugural event in 2017 led to an expanded presence with quintuple participation numbers expected among the classic two-wheelers this coming weekend.
More than 35 motorcycles from within the three-decade range of 1965 to 1995 will make exhibition laps on the iconic 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course during each day of the three-day event where they will be on-track for 25 minutes starting at 12:20 p.m. on Friday and Sunday and 12:50 p.m. on Saturday. Riders like Carry Andrew, Bernd Koegler, and Thad Wolff will be on the same AMA Superbikes they rode when competing against one another on the same asphalt more than three decades earlier.
Located at the pit lane garages, the classic motorcycle group will give two-wheel enthusiasts the chance to see living history with a large turnout of display bikes that include everything from various AMA Superbikes to a 350 Norton Manx and 1971 Benelli 500 GP courtesy of Robb Talbott to the famed “Stage Fright” and “King Rat” twin-engine Top Fuel drag bikes brought by John Stein.
Motorcycle road racing has long been linked to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca ever since the late Cal Rayborn gave Harley-Davidson its last AMA Grand National win here in 1972. The track has been the site of legendary moments in AMA Motorcycle, Motorcycle Grand Prix, World Superbike, and MotoAmerica history, a tradition that carries forward with the annual MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship GEICO Motorcycle U.S. Round featuring MotoAmerica Champion of Monterey June 22-24.
“The riders were over the moon last year to get to ride on WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca,” said Wendy Newton, group organizer and participating rider on a 1968 Ducati. “The history of the track makes it a unique venue that puts it on the bucket list for fans and participants. We were approached by a lot of car guys who were pleased we were there; a lot of them have or want classic bikes. The revival of classic Superbikes helps to put on an entertaining show, making classic motorcycles a natural fit for this event.”
The participants will have a particularly active Saturday in the paddock with a ride to tour the Moto Talbott Museum in Carmel Valley in the afternoon following their on-track exhibition. Upon returning, they will engage in a MotoSocial event in the paddock that follows the Nitro Revival “Line of Fire” mass fire-up of approximately 40 vintage dragsters. Awards will be given for both exhibition and display bikes with participants coveting Overall honors and Most Original designation.
The Spring Classic Showcasing Nitro Revival also features a three-day vintage car race with run groups that include 2.5-liter Trans-Am, Can-Am, stock cars, and prototypes. Each run group will qualify in the morning and afternoon on Friday and race twice on Saturday and Sunday with a one-hour enduro closing the on-track activity on Saturday. The vintage dragsters will be present throughout the event with special activities such as push-start demonstrations, the “Line of Fire,” and Ace’s Hot Rod Hangout taking place on Saturday only.
Tickets to the event start at $20 on Friday and $30 on Saturday and Sunday by saving with advance purchase on www.WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling 831-277-8200 (view ticket packages HERE). Children 15 and under are admitted free with a ticket-buying adult.