Superbike News
The biggest racing event to be held in the State of Utah this year takes place this weekend, May 29-31, as the Lucas Oil Utah USA Round of the FIM Superbike World Championship presented by HANNspree will take place at Miller Motorsports Park.
The FIM Superbike World Championship is one of the three biggest racing series in the world, and its events are televised on 95 networks to 175 countries with each race being viewed by an audience of 120 million.
By comparison, the television audience for this year’s NASCAR Daytona 500 was 13.3 million. The series’ annual visit to Utah is its only appearance in the Western Hemisphere.
The series also races in Australia, Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands, Italy, South Africa, Czech Republic, England, Germany and France.
Festivities get underway Friday afternoon, May 28, with a press conference on the steps of the State Capitol at 4:30 p.m. Eight riders from the World Superbike and World Supersport championships, representing each of the eight manufacturers involved, will be welcomed by Governor Gary R. Herbert and other dignitaries.
The public is welcome to attend the ceremony, which will take place on the steps on the south side of the State Capitol.
Following the press conference, the racers will mount their race bikes and lead a motorcycle parade to The Gateway, where a pre-race party will be held from 5-9 p.m.
The motorcycle-riding public is invited to participate in the motorcycle parade, and motorcycle parking at the State Capitol will be in Lot G on the northwest corner of the State Capitol property.
At The Gateway there will be autograph sessions with the racers, live music, stunt motorcycle and BMX riders and a number of vendors and interactive displays.
The on-track action starts at Miller Motorsports Park on Saturday, May 29, with practice and qualifying sessions all day for the World Superbike and World Supersport championships as well as the two classes comprising the Lucas Oil Superbike Challenge, the richest semi-pro motorcycle race in America.
On Saturday evening at 6 p.m., the "United in Rock" concert featuring Foreigner, Styx and Kansas will take place at the track.
Final qualifying for World Superbike and World Supersport take place on Sunday, May 30, as well as the GTU class race of the Lucas Oil Superbike Challenge.
The feature races, two for World Superbike and one each for World Supersport and the GTO class of the Lucas Oil Superbike Challenge, will take place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31.\
In addition to the racing action, there will be a myriad of displays and activities for fans to enjoy at the racetrack throughout the weekend.
Stunt motorcycle and BMX riders, a car show, a barbecue competition, karting on the Miller Kart Track, Jeep rides on the off-road/rock-climbing course, demonstrations by the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series and the Lucas Oil Stunt Plane, plus dozens of vendor and manufacturer displays will be available.
To honor America’s active-duty and veteran Armed Forces, as well as those civilian-service personnel such as policemen, firemen, paramedics and teachers who serve and protect our communities, Miller Motorsports Park has joined forces with Colonial Flag to present a Tribute Field of 2,010 American flags in the track’s infield.
Also, all four branches of the military service will have extensive interactive displays for fans to enjoy. The opening ceremonies prior to the feature races on Sunday will include a flyover by four F-16 fighter jets from Hill Air Force Base.
This is the most ambitious event ever staged at Miller Motorsports Park, and it is the first edition of what will become a Memorial Day tradition for families and enthusiasts throughout the Intermountain West.
For tickets or information about the Lucas Oil Utah USA Round of the FIM Superbike World Championship presented by HANNspree, visit the event website at SBKUSA.com or call 435-277-RACE (7223)