2012 Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week Recap
Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week, “America’s Original Riding Rally,” was blessed with good weather and strong attendance for 2012, it’s 89th year. Riders from across the country came to enjoy classic rides around New England, along with food, fun and camaraderie.
Charlie St. Clair (Rally Executive Director) says: “It is great to have another one in the books, especially when we got better-than-usual weather, and great crowds.
“We’ve already begun working on the 90th Anniversary and will continue to seek out new motorcycle events to add to the rally while keeping the classics people expect”
Because the Rally encompasses events throughout all of New Hampshire, state tourism officials post three different Rally itineraries on the Visit NH website. While estimations on attendance are complicated, rally officials and local/state officials will agree people coming in and out of the state of NH over the nine-days of the rally, certainly gave NH the pre-summer season boost it needed.
Daily Gypsy Tours took in the southern coast of Maine, the classic Kancamagus Highway, as well as the Mt. Washington Auto Road. The U.S. Vintage Grand Prix held 14 races, from 50 cc to Formula 1 events (including sidecar racing), divided by class and rider age. Manufacturers gave riders the opportunity to demo their latest offerings, including Harley-Davidson, Can-Am Spyder, Victory, Yamaha and Suzuki.
The Peter Makris Memorial Run raised more than $32,000 from event rider registrations, raffles and auctions which feed directly into the community, bringing the total raised by the ride to more than $100,000 over six years. Riders received a David Uhl-designed commemorative t-shirt, along with breakfast and lunch, a police escort around the lake, and entertainment by the Dan Lawson Band.
More than 50 riders from across the country competed for $13,000 in prize money at the American Motorcyclist Association-sanctioned Shawn P. Farnsworth Memorial Hillclimbs. John Koester won the Pro Sport class, Nate Redmann won the Xtreme class, and Vinny Nuzzolilli won the Unlimited class.
The Laconia Bud Light Biker Build Off awarded a $5,000 “People’s Choice” prize to Dan Pike of FTF Cycles, who beat out entries from White Knuckle Customs, Northeast Chop Shop, Ready Customs, and Vintage Custom Cycles.
Organizers and sponsors ended the event satisfied as the Rally rounds out its eighth decade and looks forward to celebrating its 90th anniversary next June. The Rally that began humbly in 1916, alongside the roots of the sport of motorcycling, continues to make a significant impact on the Lakes Region, the state of New Hampshire, and all of New England.
For a complete schedule of next year’s events, watch for updates to laconiamcweek.com/Schedule/. For complete lodging and camping options, visit laconiamcweek.com/Lodging-and-Camping/. While you’re visiting the Official Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week website, be sure to sign-up for the free e-newsletter to learn about new information and special deals.
About Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week
Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week, beginning in 1916, is a statewide rally with its epicenter at Weirs Beach, the center of the State of New Hampshire. 2013 will be the Rally’s 90th year. The Rally includes nine days of riding and entertainment for motorcyclists from around the country and across the globe. Rally Headquarters is at the Weirs Beach Waterslide during Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week, located on Route 3, Weirs Beach. Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week is proudly presented by: Budweiser, Hot Leathers and AMSOIL. Rally corporate sponsors include: Jägermeister, Jeremiah Weed, J&P Cycles, Pepsi, The Lobster Pound, Sysco, and V-Twin Promotions. Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week also thanks the State of New Hampshire for its large financial contribution to the Rally. For more information on the Rally, including schedule, lodging options, and more, visit www.laconiamcweek.com. To contact The Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, email info@laconiamweek.com, or call (603) 366-2000.