Courtesy Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca-
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MONTEREY, Calif. - The 2011 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is this weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, off Highway 68. Track officials say America's rising motorcycle stars will be out in full support of the MotoGP World Championship.
The AMA national championship has three classes and will be practicing, qualifying and racing throughout the weekend to ensure the track doesn't go quiet for long. The first full race is on Saturday with the an AMA SuperSport 40-mile race.
Then on Sunday, the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike rolls out for a 50-mile race and the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike race concludes Sunday with its own 50-miler. Each race group emits a slightly different engine sound, which are telltale signs of who's on track at any given time.
But one race in particular will have a completely different sound, since these bikes do not use engines, but motors – the FIM e-Power & TTX Championships. The all-electric bikes hit impressive speeds and have loads of torque.
Americans to watch in the MotoGP class include the "Kentucky Kid" Nicky Hayden of the Ducati Team. Also, Memphis-born Ben Spies of Yamaha Factory Racing and Houston native Colin Edwards of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team.
Last year, the MotoGP class saw Jorge Lorenzo triumph from a pole position start to take his first Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca MotoGP race win, his sixth victory and fifth pole of his 2010 season dominance.
For further information, including race schedule, fan activities and to purchase tickets visit www.MazdaRaceway.com.
Submitted by Central Coast News Anchor Marc Cota-Robles
