MONTEREY, Calif. — The annual visit of the MOTUL FIM World Superbike Championship to WeatherTech Raceway comes this weekend, July 12-14.
It’s the only North American race for the internationally renowned motorcycle racing series. The scenic race track on Monterey Peninsula has hosted the series every year since 2013 and previously ran World Superbike events from 1995 through 2004.
The weekend of racing also includes the U.S.-based MotoAmerica Championship.
“The top production-based motorcycles in the country and the world are coming for our World Superbike event with MotoAmerica,” said WeatherTech Raceway CEO Tim McGrane. “The motorcycle events always have a diverse and lively atmosphere throughout the paddock, Hagerty Marketplace and campgrounds.”
The global MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship series brings people from around the world to Monterey during the only round that takes place in the United States.
Motorcycle racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has a long history that has helped elevate the track to international acclaim.
Furthermore, it provides the talented EBC Brakes Superbike riders in the MotoAmerica series the opportunity to test their mettle by recording lap times on the same track and conditions as the international riders under the same rules with the biggest exception being the spec tire.
Four-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea, hot off a sweep of last weekend’s events at England’s Donington Park Circuit, leads the standings heading into the GEICO Motorcycle U.S. Round.
The Kawasaki rider will be a heavy favorite for the event after having won both races at the 2.238-mile serpentine circuit last year.
“I love everything about Laguna Seca — I love being there; there is a really good atmosphere in the USA for World Superbike, the fans seem really enthusiastic,” said Rea. “As a track, it is very demanding, and the undulations are incredible; you need a lot from a bike, you need it to be stable but also very agile.
“It is a great track and I can’t wait to get there.”
Between World Superbike and the five classes competing in MotoAmerica, more than 150 bikes are entered for The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship GEICO Motorcycle U.S. Round at WeatherTech Raceway.
The event also includes an engaging Paddock Show that brings riders and legends to the fans, demo rides and exclusive ticket packages from five different manufacturers, and a thriving Hagerty Marketplace with even more vendors and family-friendly activities than last year.
Adding intrigue to the event, Kentucky rider J.D. Beach will be doing double duty.
Beach, who rides full time in the MotoAmerica Superbike class for Attack Performance/Estenson Racing, has accepted a wildcard entry to also compete in the World Superbike portion of the program, riding a Yamaha YZF-R1.
“I think it’s going to be really cool to be the only American,” said Beach, who is also a flat-track motorcycle racer. “I want to go into it being realistic. To get a top 10 would be great. I think I’ve got some big shoes to fill, because (Josh) Herrin did really good last year on the same bike.
“I know he had a few issues during the race, but his pace all weekend was really good. I’m just really looking forward to it and hoping I can do the American fans proud.”
Suzuki rider Toni Elias leads the MotoAmerica EBC Brakes Superbike standings heading into the WeatherTech Raceway doubleheader.
Herrin, Cameron Beaubier, Jake Gagne and Chris Gerloff will also be among the EBC Brakes Superbike contenders.
Tickets are available at the gate or by calling the ticket office at (831) 242-8200.