Catalina GP 2010 - Dec 3-5th

[GTM®]

SHOCKER!

Catalina Island Grand Prix Returns in 2010

Now here's a great return to the old days of motorcycle racing, the Catalina Island Grand Prix is coming back, scheduled races will take place on December 4th and 5th, topped off with a 100 mile Pro Race on December 5th, though all of the activities should run over a period of 4 or 5 days. The last time the race was run was in 1958, the image shows a map of the old race course. Catalina Island is located off the coast of southern California

The Avalon City Council Tuesday, May 4 unanimously approved a request by AMA District 37 Motorcycle Club to host a Catalina Island Grand Prix. The on road and off road event should be a great boost to tourism at a time when business is usually slow.

From the Catalina Islander:

Throughout the 1950s, the Catalina Grand Prix was one of the premier motorcycle races in the United States. Every year, boats loaded with motorcycles crossed the channel from the mainland. The races usually consisted of more than 206 bikers competing in a mad scramble over a 10-mile course that ran through city streets and up into the hills above Avalon, through the golf course and then back into the city streets.

"This is going to be a family orientated event," he said. "There will be plenty of spectator access to races... we are bringing back a piece of Catalina's history and the nostalgia of the Island.”

However, (Avalon Mayor) Kennedy said the event could have a short shelf life on Catalina. "This is a one time permit," he said. "The success or failure of this event is going to dictate whether anything like this happens again on Catalina."

Details are still very limited, a website with complete information is expected to be up next month.

For Official (oncoming) details, see thecatalinagrandprix.com. I hope to be able to race it - wish me luck.

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[guzzibob]

Sounds awesome.......

 

[GTM®]

It is Bob, thanks... there's some good info on the District 37 Forum, I just registered. A post from the website...

Catalina and most residents are welcoming the race with open arms. A lot of locals here still race the District 37 Grand Prix, desert, and SCORE circut. It will be mostly a dirt race much like Adelanto Grand Prix. It is not being held on any Conservancy land so they don’t have anything to say about it. There has been no shake up in the balance of power the reason for the race returning is of the enthusiasim of the local racers to bring it back and the economic benifits it will bring to the community of Avalon. The Island Compay owns most of the land that the race will be on realized this and gave their approval. They have said it is a one time event. That could change if things go well. I hope everyone comes and has a good time.

More fun-ness... enjoy;

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[wsholar]

Planning to run a Guzzi?? Hmmm...supercharged Stelvio... :whistle:

 

[GTM®]

Planning to run a Guzzi?? Hmmm...supercharged Stelvio... :whistle:

Unfortunately not, the race will be won by a Supermoto bike.

 

[wsholar]

Aprilia SXV 5.5??

 

[mohawkeye]

So Todd, are you in it still? And what are you running? I can't be there, but IMWTK.

 

[GTM®]

Mike, I'm IN! The bike (my 510 Husky) is in the container on the way over. I race on Sunday ~2pm, Pro Class (gulp), wish me luck.

 

[guzzibob]

Good luck, have fun.

 

[kiwi dave]

Yeah, best wishes from down under, Todd. Go get 'em!

 

[mohawkeye]

Pro Class!?!! You show 'em!

Best of luck.

 

[Cat City Rider]

I'll hoist one in your honor

 

[jamileh]

Pro Class - right where you belong, Todd!!! You'll do just great - you're such a fantastic rider.
Best of luck, and have an absolute blast.
Can't wait to hear all about it.
ENJOY!!!!

 

[cjlewis610]

Any word on today's results? I haven't found any links yet.

 

[GTM®]

OK, so for those who know the history of the race... the essence of the race was lost when the track became more motocross-y then GP. Top that with Red Bull bringing all of their top athletes, and I was stuck amidst some of the biggest names in the industry (see; http://www.tracksideonlineresults.com/t ... =985&e=211)
As of last weekend, my bike was set up more in the flavor of Supermoto, so I was sent scrambling when I learned that there was to be no paving (the website still says 20%), and that the track map still showed it utilizing a large amount of the existing fire-roads (like the original event more then 50 years ago). When I arrived, seeing the hillside Moto-X track (complete with small triples), I knew I was far from my element. So I tried... I was knocked down in the first turn, but I got up and made it one full lap to see how far off my set-up was; horrific. Top that with the fact that we found out that the Pro event was to be 2 hours in length, that I found out about less then 1 hr. before the start. Rather then face eminent demise of me and my bike, I expired early.
That all said, I'm thrilled to be part of the revival after 52 years. Hopefully there will be more to come, though in talking with the main promoter, it doesn't look promising outside of the fact that all of the locals (& businesses) loved having us there. Cross your fingers for next year. Thanks to all of my friends for the support.
Rumor has it that Bruce Brown's son was there filming... look forward to it if that's the case.

 

[cjlewis610]

Great to hear you fielded the race though! Sorry to hear about the lack of paving, I really love watching supermoto and had a blast on the few track days I have done.

I love Husqvarna bikes. Here is my project that has been sitting for too long.

 

[mohawkeye]

Really too bad that the "track" info wasn't given out sooner; hope the organization gets better for next year (and that there is a next year. And I'm glad you could walk away intact.

 

[GTM®]

So you guys can be your own judge based on the only info supplied to everyone below... enjoy.

Original race pics:

"Course Pics" from the website pre-race:

Actual race pics below. Green arrow is me on the start.