Top 10 Reasons For Attending Laguna Seca SBK Race Weekend

Tom Roderick
by Tom Roderick

World Superbike and MotoAmerica are both underway this weekend at one of America’s most famous race courses, Laguna Seca. From KTM RC Cup, Superstock, Supersport, and Superpole to Superbike, the combined racing event is so packed with action there should be nothing further compelling you to attend. But, if you’re in need of extra enticement, or maybe a reminder of what you use to love about going, let us spell it out for ya.

10. It’s Laguna Seca

COTA may be a new facility boasting all the modern conveniences, as well as the only U.S. track with a round of MotoGP racing, but it’ll never match Laguna Seca for historical racing reverence. Seca is America’s Assen; a world-renowned circuit beloved by competitors and fans alike. The track’s history of epic battles between racing legends is incomparable in U.S. motorcycle road racing, and it owns one the most famous corners in the world of motorsports.

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9. The Corkscrew

Nothing is more epic in the world of motorcycle road racing fanmanship than claiming a slice of hillside accompanied by few riding pals, a cold oil can of Fosters, and watching the entire starting grid negotiate the Corkscrew on lap 1. Pure two-wheel grace and beauty. If you’ve ever ridden Seca, you’ve more respect for the technicality of this turn than those who have not. I’ve often Rossi’d the Corkscrew – not passing another rider – but because I forget the severity of the blind, initial first left turn.

8. Infield Frivolities

During racing intermissions the infield of the dry lakebed circuit is the place to be. It’s where you’ll find the majority of food and beverage vendors, but also OEMs, aftermarket manufacturers, and racing souvenirs from cups and hats to t-shirts – lots and lots of t-shirts. The infield is also great for people watching of the weird, famous and attractive variety. In years past, Ducati hosted an insightful glimpse into the year’s newest trend in bikini wear. Not sure if that’s happening this year, though.

7. Cannery Row

A few miles from the historic racetrack is another page of peninsula antiquity, Monterey’s Cannery Row. A once thriving fishery, the Steinbeck novel locale has since become the go-to place for food, fun and frivolity. On Friday and Saturday nights during race weekend Cannery Row is closed to through traffic, and owned by the racing crowd. Off the main strip the crowd thins and it’s where you’ll find divey little gems like Segovia’s on Lighthouse Ave.

6. Only U.S. WSBK Round

Being a combined round of WSBK and MotoAmerica really makes this a great bang-for-your-buck event. It’s the only chance to see the international racers competing in America with the possibility of U.S. wildcards getting a chance to throw in with World SBK guys. Nothing compares to being a part of the racing atmosphere, and whatever you miss in on-track action can easily be viewed on DVR when you get home. Above photo is from the 2002 WSBK Laguna Seca round. Colin Edwards, on the Honda RC51, leads Troy Bayliss (1), Neal Hodgson (100), Ben Bostrom (155) and soon-to-be-crowned 2002 AMA Superbike Champion Nicky Hayden (69). Bayliss won Race 1 that year, Edwards Race 2. Nicky came in 4th and 13th, respectively.

5. Support MotoAmerica

Wayne Rainey and company are doing their best to make American motorcycle road racing great again, but to achieve their goals they need your support. Like voting for the right candidate, you must participate to help shape the outcome. To see more of our guys competing on the international stage, we must first breed them nationally, and MotoAmerica is the incubator. Going into this weekend’s race, Cameron Beaubier is comfortably leading the championship with 253 points and 7 wins this season, then the race for second is really tight. Josh Hayes has one win and 228 points, Toni Elias has five wins and 227 points, and Roger Hayden has one win and 226 points.

4. 40 Years of AMA Superbike Racing Display

To help wrap your head around the history of U.S. motorcycle road racing – the machines and the men who piloted them – MotoAmerica will have on display 40 Years Of AMA Superbike Racing. Some of the machinery at the track includes Wayne Rainey’s 1983 Kawasaki GPz750, a 1992 Honda RC30 ridden by Freddie Spencer, Mat Mladin’s 1999 AMA Superbike Championship-winning Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750, the 1988 championship-winning Honda VFR750F of Bubba Shobert. “This entire season celebrates 40 years of AMA Superbike racing and these bikes are all part of that history,” said MotoAmerica President, two-time AMA Superbike Champion and three-time 500cc World Champion Wayne Rainey. “It is truly special and a real treat for fans to have these bikes on display during the event.”

3. See all the new models (demo rides)

We’re guessing Honda will have its exotically cool RC213V-S on display, but if not pretty much every other new model for 2016 – and maybe some 2017s – will be on display from all the OEMs. If you missed AIMExpo in Orlando or your nearest travelling IMS show, Laguna Seca offers a great opportunity to see them all in one place. More than likely, some OEMs will be offering test rides – for sure not on an RCV – keep dreaming.

2. Nicky!

It’s Nicky Hayden’s home track and if ever the stage was set for a repeat performance of his MotoGP wins in 2005 and 2006 it’s this weekend. Seen in the photo of #6 in this list, this isn’t Hayden’s first go around Laguna Seca on a superbike. Fourteen years ago Hayden was a wildcard rider on a Honda RC51 AMA superbike. That year he became the youngest AMA Superbike Champion in our national history of the sport, then went on to become MotoGP Rookie of the Year in 2003. He’s now come full-circle riding a Honda superbike at Laguna Seca. Hayden winning Laguna Seca isn’t a sure bet (nothing in racing is) but it’s about as close to one as you’re gonna get.

1. The Ride

The best part of any racing at Laguna Seca has nothing to do with the track at all, it’s the roads getting there. Riding from either the North or South provides epic coastal scenery and twisty, twisty tarmac on California’s world famous Highway 1. Less popular roads exist all around the area. Get out your motorcycle-specific road map and check for the squiggliest lines, or ask some locals. A few suggestions: Carmel Valley Rd., Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd., Hecker Pass Rd., Highways 9, 35, and 236.

Tom Roderick
Tom Roderick

A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.

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