More Catalina GP News & Notes

Dave Ekins (12) and Preston Petty (124)

* How about motorcycle industry legend Preston Petty coming out of retirement to race the GP? Or the fact that Petty, who earned more fame for his plastic fenders than for his racing prowess, will be squaring off against SoCal racing legend John Rice in the first race Saturday morning? Rice was Petty’s rival back in the day and was well known for running a frog on his helmet and his striped jersey. ‘I wasn’t showing off, I just wanted my friends and family to be able to spot me on the track,’ recollects Rice of the famous frog. Look for the stripes and the frog on John R’s gear once again after a 50-year hiatus from the island!

SoCal racing legend John Rice

* In addition to the veteran riders returning to the Catalina GP, some amazing vintage race bikes will be in the field. Homer Knapp will be competing on his 1929 Harley-Davidson once again. This is the same bike that Knapp raced on the island twice back in the 1950s. ‘Still runs like a top,’ swears Knapp, who is the president/GM/chief machinist/delivery boy and janitor for Hollywood Motorcycle Machine. Homer founded his business in 1966 based on the belief that ‘old motorcycles, old cars, old books and old people should be approached with respect and understanding. Things can be learned from them all.’ Look for Knapp to show the kids a thing or two in the 70+ class on Sunday.

* Speaking of vintage bikes, be sure to check out the BSA Catalina Scrambler that Thad Wolff will be racing. Basically a hot-rodded version of the BSA Gold Star, the bike was billed as ‘The World’s Finest 500cc Scrambler’ back in the day. The Catalina Scrambler features some mods from the standard 1950s era Gold Stars, including a 2 gallon fuel tank, 9:1 compression ratio, Lucas racing magneto and straight pipes.

* ‘We will be featuring Thad Wolff’s BSA Catalina Scrambler in a future issue,’ says Motorcyclist magazine editor Brian Catterson. ‘One of our contributors, John Stein, has also built a replica of the Yamaha 175 that Fumio Ito made history on and will be in race one on Saturday.’ Look for the full story of how the Catalina GP inspired Yamaha to go racing in an upcoming issue of Motorcyclist.

#1 plate holder Joanna Kaczmarek * Beyond the great old bikes and legends returning to the GP, look for a little history to be made on the distaff side as two-time defending U.S. Desert Racing Women’s #1 plate holder Joanna Kaczmarek competes on Sunday. In addition to her USDR #1 plates, Joanna also has two Hare Scramble titles. Despite being fast on a bike, she says she plans to keep her day job as the managing editor for Parts Magazine, working for former Daytona 200 winner Don Emde.

* Don’t forget Friday’s golf tournament to benefit the AMA District 37 Legal Defense Fund. Club rentals are available if you forgot to bring your sticks along with your race bike. Call (310) 510-0530 for a tee time if you plan on getting to the Island early.

Updated Red Bull Catalina Grand Prix Schedule Of Events:

The Catalina Grand Prix
Friday, December 3, 2010

9:00am – Check-in opens at the Metropole Hotel. Enter through the M Restaurant. You will receive your rider package, loaner transponder and numbers (if you shipped your bike on Sunday).

9:00am – Impound opens at The Field of Dreams – across from the Fire Station and City Hall.
Here, you will attach your transponder, fuel your bike and work on it if needed in the
American Honda Rider Support Area.

10:00am – The Catalina Grand Prix Golf Tournament. Call 310 510 0530 to schedule a tee time.
$30 green fee; $11 club rental; $10 golf cart rental

4:30-7:30pm Grand Prix Barbeque – Descanso Beach Club $20 adults; $12 children (3-11)
Tickets must be purchased beforehand at a Discovery Tours Ticket Booth

6:00pm Mandatory Riders Meeting – Descanso Beach Club

8:00pm Grand Prix Party – The M Restaurant – Live entertainment and drink specials

Saturday, December 4, 2010

7:30am Opening Ceremonies – Downtown at the Wrigley Stage – Race #1 Parade Lap through town

8:15am-3:30pm – The Catalina Grand Prix – Race #1-Race#6
Spectator area is located above hole #1 of the golf course. Golf cart shuttles will provide transportation up to the spectator area from impound. There will be some limited seating available as well as beverages for purchase in the spectator area. The vender area will be set up in the City Park across from impound and the Fire Station. Stop by to purchase race souvenirs and support the local community.

4:30-7:30pm Grand Prix Dinner – Casino Ballroom $25 adults; $17 children (3-11)

8:00pm Nitro Circus – Avalon Theater – price to be announced

Sunday, December 5, 2010

8:15am-3:30pm – The Catalina Grand Prix – Race #7-Race #12
Spectator area is located above hole #1 of the golf course. Golf cart shuttles will provide transportation up to the spectator area from impound. There will be some limited seating available as well as beverages for purchase in the spectator area. The vender area will be set up in the City Park across from impound and the Fire Station. Stop by to purchase race souvenirs and support the local community.

5:00-9:00pm – Shop at Home Night – Residents and Visitors welcome.
Tree lighting ceremony at 5pm on the Wrigley Stage. Santa and his helpers will be arriving by fire truck. Most local business will be open during this time for ‘Shop At Home’ discounts and deals.

Motorcycle Pick-Up Information
After the race, all motorcycles will be shipped back to the same location in Wilmington (100 W. Water St.). Be prepared to pick up your bike on either Tuesday, December 7, or Wednesday, December 8, between 12pm and 8pm. If you do not pick up your bike during these specified days/times, you will be charged a $30 per day storage fee.