At the Laguna Seca World Superbike Race Weekend

A race is more than just a race. This past weekend, both the World Superbike and MotoAmerica motorcycle road racing series came to one of the most fabled tracks in America, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The racing was exciting, yet the crowd was not nearly as big as you would think. Maybe it was the threat of rain. Maybe it was the lack of TV coverage. Or maybe it was the fact that a lot of American riders have never been exposed to motorcycle racing and don’t know what a race weekend is all about.

Do folks think a race weekend is just sitting in the hot sun watching bikes droning around the track in endless, boring circles? Of course it’s not! Sure, there’s lots of racing, and as in any outdoor event, Mother Nature can be a factor, but there is so much more to a race weekend.

Many riders who didn’t grow up as race fans may not realize that a motorcycle race is more than just a race; it’s an event – a gathering of the motorcycling community. It doesn’t matter if you ride a cruiser, a tourer, or a sportbike. A race weekend offers something for everyone.

First off, there are the motorcycle manufacturers. Going to a race is like going to an outdoor version of a motorcycle trade show. Many of the manufacturers bring their full lineups of bikes. Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, and Victory all had large displays this past weekend.

It is a great opportunity to sit on the bike of your dreams and talk to manufacturers’ reps about their machines. In some cases, there are even demo rides available.

There are also special manufacturers’ lounges for owners of their respective brand’s bikes. The lounges offer a great place to take a break, get something to drink, and rest your tired feet after walking around the track. Some manufacturers even sponsor fan parties with bands or DJs.

The most famous of the manufacturer venues is Ducati Island. In existence for 20 years, Ducati Island is a gathering spot for Ducatisti from all over the world.

Ducati riders are allowed to park their bikes in a special parking area and have the opportunity to gather together to look at each other’s machines and show off a little. Ducati Island offers food, fashion, Ducati gear, and great people watching. Definitely a fun stop during the racing day.

Besides motorcycle manufacturers, there are also vendors of many different types of motorcycle merchandise and services. If you’re looking for parts, accessories, or gear, it’s probably available at the track. There are plenty of opportunities to ask vendors questions about their products and to try before you buy.

You can find everything from apparel, to bike parts, to touring companies offering great trips. There is also amazing motorcycle related artwork to browse from multiple artists.

Additionally, you can buy memorabilia autographed by your favorite racing heroes to proudly display at home. Overall, it’s a great shopping experience for any type of rider.

Another fun activity at a race weekend is wandering the motorcycle parking lots. Many riders come up for the weekend on their bikes and walking the parking lot is like attending a custom bike show. You can meander around, looking at the wide variety of bikes that people bring to the event.

You’ll see motorcycles ranging from superbikes, to supermotos, to baggers, and everything in between. It’s a great chance to get ideas for mods to your own bike and see all of the creativity that folks put into their machines.

Besides all the eating, shopping and browsing, a weekend at the track offers a number of race focused events as well. This past weekend featured a who’s who of the motorcycle racing elite. Former champions such as Nicky Hayden, Kenny Roberts, Jr., Kevin Schwantz, Doug Polen, Randy Mamola, and Wayne Rainey were all in attendance.

And the best part about their attendance at Laguna Seca is they’re accessible. You can meet these former champions, ask questions, and hear some great racing stories.

Not only are racing’s past greats on-hand, but the current heroes are also available for multiple autograph sessions. At Laguna Seca, fans lined up for autographs and pictures with their favorite racers from both World Superbike and MotoAmerica.

There’s also the opportunity to get up close and personal with the racing teams in the pits. Many racing series limit fan’s access to the paddock area, but MotoAmerica lets you get right up to the garages to see the teams, up-close and personal.

You can watch as they prep their motorcycles for the race, and if they’re not too busy, you can even chat with the mechanics and crew chiefs about their bikes. It’s a great chance to see all of the detail and hard work that goes into a racing effort.

To top it all off, at many tracks, there is even an opportunity to take your bike onto the track for a fan lap for a small additional fee. Seriously, if you’re not a racer or a track day aficionado, how many times in your life will you have the opportunity to take your bike on a lap of a world famous race track?

Any type of street legal motorcycle is typically allowed and it’s great to see cruisers and sportbikes riding around the track together. I know that taking my old dual-sport through Laguna Seca’s Corkscrew at a past race is a memory I’ll never forget.

So there you have it. A race weekend brings the motorcycling community together to not only watch some great racing, but to participate in myriad fan activities.

Next time motorcycle racing comes to a neighborhood near you, take the time to go. The racing is great and the extra activities are fun, but most importantly, you’ll be supporting the motorcycle community.