The event took place at MMP from May 29 to June 1, and racing fans from all over the world were in attendance. Work for the race began the previous winter and consisted of track upgrades that cost nearly $1 million.
“This is the biggest sporting event to hit Tooele County,” said MMP Media Manager John Gardner during the event. “As far as international sporting events go, it is the biggest thing to hit Utah since the 2002 Olympics.”
The Superbike series is considered to be the third-largest racing series in the world, behind only the Formula One World Championship and MotoGP World Championship. The race was broadcast live on 95 television networks in 127 countries, with a viewership of 120 million people worldwide.
The weekend included a total of seven races Friday through Sunday, with the main event being the two Sunday races of the HANNspree Superbike World Championship. Other races over the weekend included the American Motorcycle Association Formula Xtreme Series, the first race of the AMA Superbike Championship, the AMA Superstock Series, the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship, and the second race of the AMA Superbike Championship.
The World Superbike race included a total of 28 world-renowned racers from such countries as Italy, Spain, Japan, Turkey, Australia, France, Germany and Czechoslovakia. The riders raced for 21 laps on the 3.06-mile outer track twice on Sunday of that weekend. The 21 AMA riders raced 14 laps on the 4.5 mile main track once on Saturday and again on Sunday.
World Superbike racer Carlos Checa of Spain, who rode for Honda, won the first Superbike race Sunday; Troy Corser of Australia, who rode a Yamaha, finished in second place; and Michael Fabrizio of Italy took third riding a Ducati. For the second race, Checa won first place again, Max Neukirchner of Germany received second place, and Fabrizio received third again.
In the AMA events, Ben Spies of Texas won the first race, Jamie Hacking of North Carolina finished second, and Neil Hodgson of Isle of Man placed third. The same three racers finished first, second and third again in the second race.
The effects of the World Superbike Championship were indeed felt by Tooele County businesses during that busy summer weekend. Hotels and motels throughout the valley were booked solid, and local restaurants experienced big crowds and long waits. The Tooele County Chamber of Commerce office was packed with Superbike attendees looking for information on activities, restaurants and businesses, according to chamber executive director Debbie Winn.
Doug Radunich: dougrad@tooeletranscript.com
Post a Comment
