Granite State Stuff : Loudon Classic

Ron Meade Honored with Annual Toy Ride and Parade

AskLisa — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:21:00 GMT

The First Annual Ron Meade Toy Run and Parade will honor the memory of beloved New Hampshire Motor Speedway staff member and longtime motorsports publicist, Ron Meade.

The ride, an official event of Laconia Motorcycle Week 2009, will leave from Inter-Lakes High School in Meredith at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 14. Riders will travel to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, where Ron was an original staff member.

Ron passed away in September 2008 after a brief illness. He was actively involved in the promotion of travel and tourism throughout New Hampshire, and most recently served as the Director of Special Projects at the speedway.

"Ron was an esteemed and respected colleague, and we miss him greatly," said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

All are welcomed to participate in the ride and are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for Speedway Motorsports Inc.'s Speedway Children's Charities. Toys will go to New Hampshire children in need. Individuals making a donation will receive a discount to Sunday's race events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which include the 86th Annual Loudon Classic.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway Announces Second Annual State of New Hampshire Legislators Parade Lap

AskLisa — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:17:00 GMT

As a part of the 86th Annual Loudon Classic, New Hampshire Motor Speedway will host the Second Annual State of New Hampshire Legislators Parade Lap. Many prominent state political figures will take to the track for a ceremonial pace lap on Sunday, June 14, at 12 p.m.

Participating Legislators include State Senator Deb Reynolds of District 2, State Sen. Peggy Gilmour of District 12, State Sen. Bob Letourneau of District 19, State Representative Timothy Horrigan of Strafford County District 7, State Rep. Frank R. Holden of Hillsborough County District 4, State Rep. Paul Ingersoll of Coos County District 4, State Rep. Candace Bouchard of Merrimack County District 11, State Rep. Elaine Swinford of Belknap County District 5, State Rep. Frank Sapareto of Rockingham County District 5, and Legislative Aide Paul Smith. Also riding will be Stan Kolodnicki and Bob Edmonds of the State House Protective Services.

"It's an honor to be joined by the fine members of our State Legislature," said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of the speedway. "Their support of Bike Week, and its contributions to the State's economy, is vital to New Hampshire's growth."

The Parade Lap kicks off the final day of racing, which includes the USCRA Sidecar Final, LRRS Sprint Races, and the ASRA Finals, and culminates with the 86th Annual running of the Loudon Classic. The three-day venue is the longest-running motorcycle event in North America.

Daily admission is $10, with children age 11 and under admitted free. Infield passes are available for an additional $10 per day. The $50 weekend camping pass includes grandstand and infield admission. All races will be run rain or shine, and the Infield will open at 9:00 a.m. daily.

Tickets will be available at the Speedway Main Gate during the event. For a complete schedule and more information on the Loudon Classic, and all of the upcoming major events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, including the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 on June 28 and the SYLVANIA 300 on September 20, please call our Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931 or visit the speedway online at http://www.nhms.com.

The 86th Loudon Classic at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Opens 2009 Laconia Bike Week Celebration

AskLisa — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:05:00 GMT

The 2009 Laconia Bike Week celebration will open with the 86th Annual Loudon Classic at New Hampshire Motor Speedway from Friday, June 12 through Sunday, June 14.

The Loudon RoadRace Series (LRRS) starts a non-stop, three-day schedule of racing beginning on Friday, June 12. The professionals from the America Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) will join the stars of the LRRS on Sunday, June 14, for an action-packed afternoon of racing.

Sunday racing will include Round 5 of the Michelin Pro Series featuring Thunderbikes, Superbikes, Superstocks, and the Factory Pro Sportbike Nationals. The touring professionals will not have it easy as the speedway's challenging road course favors the experienced local racers who have intimate knowledge of the track's fast line.

Wisconsin's Danny Bilansky leads the series in the Thunderbike division aboard his Hal's H-D Buell. Bilansky will face stiff competition from local star, Brett Guyer. Guyer is undefeated in 2009 riding the Seacoast Sport Cycle Ducati Sport Classic.

Meanwhile, Georgia's Brian Stokes comes to Loudon leading both the Superstock and Factory Pro Sportbike divisions. Stokes will be challenged by several local riders including defending Factory Pro Sportbike National Champion and Higgins Powersports/Roadracing World Kawasaki ZX-6R rider, Jeff Wood. In Superstock, Shane Narbonne of Tyngsboro, Mass. will be a threat on his DAS Performance Suzuki. Narbonne is fresh off a solid 11th place American Superbike finish last weekend at Road America.

Pennsylvania's Paul Allison will roll into the Loudon paddock with a narrow lead over Brian Stokes in the Superbike division. Allison will have to handle New Hampshire's Scotty Greenwood aboard his Argo Cycle Kawasaki ZX-6R, Eric Wood riding the Woodcraft Ducati 848, and the Yamaha young guns; Christian Cronin, Brent Lyskawa and Cory Hildebrand, to be at the top of the podium.

"We are proud to host the oldest motorcycle race in North America," said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. "We want to welcome the professional riders of the America Sportbike Racing Association as they face two huge challenges: our infamous 1.6-mile road course and the fierce competitors of the Loudon RoadRace Series."

All races will be run rain or shine, and the Infield will open at 9:00 a.m. daily.

Daily admission is $10, with children age 11 and under admitted free. Infield passes are available for an additional $10 per day. The $50 weekend camping pass includes grandstand and infield admission.

Tickets will be available at the Speedway Main Gate during the event.

85th Annual Loudon Classic Continues at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

AskLisa — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:03:00 GMT

The 85th annual Loudon Classic, the oldest motorcycle race in the country, will once again take to the road course at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15, 2008.

Riders from all over the northeast will flock to the speedway to take on the challenging 1.6 mile road course. The Loudon Classic boasts some of the most exciting racing in New England. A "classic" trademark of New Hampshire Motor Speedway is the "Bowl", considered one of the most famous turns in all of motorcycle road racing.

Last year's champion, Jeff Wood, is looking to claim his fourth victory in five years during Sunday's marquee race.

Sunday's events will begin at 11:30 a.m. featuring a ceremonial pace lap that will include prominent New Hampshire political figures: Hon. Mary Gorman, Vice-Chair of Labor; Hon. Jay Phinizy, Chair of Environment & Agriculture; Hon. Candace Bouchard, Chair of Public Works; and Hon. Vinny Graco, Vice-Chair of Fish & Game.

Racing begins at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday and runs through Sunday, with 13 races on each day. Grandstand and infield tickets are $10 each day, or $50 for the weekend, including camping Friday and Saturday nights. Children 11 and under will be admitted to the grandstand area at no charge with infield access available for $10 each day. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

For more information on the Loudon Classic, and all of the upcoming major events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, including the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 on June 29 and the SYLVANIA 300 on September 14, please visit us online at http://www.nhms.com or call our Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931.