For the 7th consecutive year, the MotoGP riders will join the AMA Pro Racing Series at the Mazda Raceway in Laguna Seca. The event will occur on July 22-24th, and will feature all three classes in the AMA Pro Racing Series.The 2010 event was a weekend to remember, as racing fans got to see the legendary Valentino Rossi race around the Laguna track for the first time since his accident. Fans also saw a heartbreaking moment for Dani Pedrosa as his bike faltered near the finish line and he crashed out of the lead, giving the race win to Jorge Lorenzo. Of course, that heartbreaking moment was worth it for fans, who then got to see Lorenzo dress up in a spacesuit and moonwalk across the track.
That would have been enough for any racing fan, but the crowd at Laguna Seca also got to see Ben Bostrom steal a win in the AMA Superbike from battling rivals Josh Hayes and Tommy Hayden.
This year's event was great, but next year's series already has excitement building. With Rossi moving to Ducati, and Ben Spies moving up to the Factory team, the competition in the MotoGP is bound to be as intense as ever. And this year's AMA Superbike series is going to be decided in the final round, making next year a season of redemption or revenge for Josh Hayes and Tommy Hayden.
“The best riders in the world and the U.S. will once again be together to treat our fans to incredible on-track action,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. ”Having Americans Ben Spies on the factory Yamaha team and Nicky Hayden on the factory Ducati team – I can only hope for one of our own on the top step of the podium.”
“Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca represents the true heart and soul of motorcycle road racing in the U.S.” said Bob Starr, Communications Manager of Yamaha Motorsports Group. “And to have both the Yamaha MotoGP and AMA teams together at our home track is very special for all racing fans.”
American fans don't get the chance often enough to witness the MotoGP in action, but next year, for the 7th consecutive year in a row, fans will be able to watch their American favorites and their world favorites on the same stage.
