Preparing for the biggest event in their history, the Miller Motorsports Park staff have had their hands full for the past year getting ready with this weekends event. The HANNspree Superbike World Championships, along with the Honda Summit of Speed AMA Superbike Championship is teaming up to draw an expected record of number attendees.

Work for this race began last winter, with upgrades that have been performed to the track that cost nearly $1 million. Extending pit road for more racers and larger gravel traps for safety are a few examples of the expansive work being done.

"This is the biggest sporting event to hit Tooele County," said MMP Media Manager John Gardner. "As far as international sporting events go, it is the biggest thing to hit Utah since the 2002 Olympics."

A lot of little things are also important to change before this weekend. Changing the electrical system to accommodate the European standard voltage of a 220-volt output. Erecting tents for many purposes, like food service and vendors and many others.

With a number of foreign visitors invading the county also there is a greater need to adjust to the amount of press coming in to cover the racing.

To catch a glimpse of the international magnitude, a quick look should be taken at the number of eyes that will focused on a sports park just outside of Tooele. "This event will be broadcast live on 95 networks to 173 countries around the world," said Gardner. "The estimated viewership will be 120 million, in comparison NASCAR's Daytona 500 is viewed by approximately 19 million."

Along with the racing happening on track there will be a number of exhibitions around the track for all fans to see along with vendors of all sorts to make this a can't miss event.

Although a heavy rain pounded Tooele on Monday, and the forecast shows a possibility of rain later in the week, officials at Miller Motorsports Park remind fans that rain will not affect this weekend's events.

"Superbike riders are accustomed to racing in the rain," said Miller Motorsports Park CEO/General Manager Alan Wilson, "and our track is designed to accommodate them. Besides, when you're banging handlebars at 190 mph, adding in the rain just makes it all the more exciting."

Scott Jensen, a 32-year-old privateer motorcycle racer from Longmont, Colo., will be the only American rider competing in the HANNspree Superbike World Championship.

"I am honored to have been chosen as the Wild Card entry in the HANNspree Superbike World Championship event at Miller Motorsports Park," Jensen said. "It is the opportunity of a lifetime."

Racing begins Thursday, May 29 and runs until Sunday, June 1. For more ticket information call 277-7223 or visit the park website www.MillerMotorsportsPark.com.

jgordon@tooeletranscript.com