Pomona, Calif. (November 13, 2007) - California Bike WeekTM entertained an estimated 20,000 motorcycle enthusiasts this past weekend at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA. With AHDRA drag racing, the debut of the Pacific Coast Nationals flat track series, Sunday's Love Ride with Grand Marshal Jay Leno and headline talent Gregg Allman rockin' the house, attendees got a heck of a show! Also noteworthy is that almost one million dollars was raised for a multitude of charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Cure Autism now and Reading by 9 to name just a few.
"We couldn't be prouder of how well California Bike Week went," said John Buck, Executive Director of California Bike Week. "Everyone had fun, took full advantage of all the entertainment, demo rides, stunt riders and racing - the feedback thus far tells us we did a great job in this first year."
Regarding the Love Ride, which was the feature or "anchor" of this inaugural California Bike Week, the change of venue from Castaic Lake to the Fairplex resounded well with riders.
"I have to admit, it was a big move and I was a little anxious about it initially," said Oliver Shokouh, Founder of the Love Ride and Owner of Glendale Harley-Davidson. "But based on the turnout we got and the feedback I received from Love Riders, we did the right thing and I couldn't be happier."
Additional features of the event included:
- California Bike Week/Love Ride auction in conjunction with Bonham & Butterfield's on Friday, Nov. 9 at the world-famous Petersen Automotive Museum. Von Dutch memorabilia items were the feature of the auction.
- All Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) racing on the famous NHRA drag strip
- Debut of The Pacific Coast Nationals flat track races Saturday night featuring the Harley-Davidson(r) Wrecking Crew and notable racers including Chris Carr, Jared Mees, Kenny Coolbeth and Joe Kopp to name a few.
- Exhibitions by the Victor McLaglen Motor Corps Stunt Team
- The famous "Wall of Death" board track stunt riding team
- Freestyle stunt rider Jason Pullen
- Demo rides provided by Harley-Davidson
- Enthusiast trade show with 200 quality vendors
- Sunday's 24th annual Love Ride,(r) benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Reading by 9 and Cure Autism Now
Needless to say, there was something for everyone - not just Harley-Davidson fans, but enthusiasts who are into vintage bikes, metric bikes, cruisers, tourers and/or dirt bikes. And for race fans, here's an abbreviated recap of race results:
AHDRA California Bike Week Nationals Results
Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel winner: Doug Vancil, from Albuquerque, NM
S&S Pro Stock winner: Junior Pippin, from Conyers, GA
JIMS Pro Fuel winner: Douglas Horne, from Aberdeen, MD
*for more info/winners, go to www.ahdra.com
Pacific Coast Nationals Results
Open Class winner: George Roeder II (#66/Harley-Davidson)
Saddlemen Vintage Class winner: Royal Adderson (#28/Harley-Davidson)
Top Gun 450 Class winner: Kayl Kolkman (#45/Honda)
*for more info/winners, go to www.wcfts.com
Says Gene Romero, legendary flat track racer and event organizer, "I personally want to thank Steve Wood of the Fairplex for making the track the best it's ever been." He added, "We had all the top guys in flat track, and they were at their best Saturday night. The fans poured in and showed their support, so we're excited to start planning for next year's California Bike Week."
About California Bike WeekTM:
California Bike WeekTM is a three-day premier motorcycle event created for the motorsports enthusiast in all of us. With national caliber drag racing, flat track racing, demo rides from the world's biggest OEMs, freestyle stunt exhibitions, vendors, premium food & beverage outlets and the star-studded, world-famous Love Ride,(r) California Bike Week rivals some of the largest consumer shows and rallies in the U.S. The California Bike Week partnership is comprised of the Southern California Harley-Davidson(r) Dealer Association, the Northern California Harley-Davidson(r) Dealer Association and The Love Ride Foundation.(r) For more information on California Bike WeekTM and/or The Love Ride(r) please call 1-877-CAL-WEEK (1-877-225-9335). For media inquiries, please contact Christine Eastman at 949-481-5561 or ceastman@cox.net. Visit us online at http://www.calweek.com. Stay tuned for next year's event dates!