Big Kahuna Survival Guide – AMA Pro Road Racing This Weekend!

With the exciting opening of NOLA Motorsports Park, the types of sporting events the City of New Orleans can host has expanded tremendously.  Until now motorsports has been the missing link in the type of events that can find a home in our city. This week New Orleans will make sporting history when the first professionally sanctioned motorcycle race is held in our town.  The Triumph Motorcycles, AMA Pro Road Racing, Big Kahuna Nationals will take place this weekend (October 5-7) as the finale of the AMA Pro Road Racing season.  This “Super Bowl” of motorcycle racing has signed a 3 year deal with New Orleans (with an option to extend for an additional 3 years.)  In addition, New Orleans will also play host to the AMA Pro Racing Championship Banquet following the race which draws a crowd of thousands. I don’t think I need to go on about what a huge opportunity this will be for the city and the state for years to come.

Personally, I have been a fan of motorcycle racing for years and have attended countless races around the country.  Because of the freshness of the sport to this region and my passion for what will happen this weekend, I thought, especially as a local ambassador for the sport, that a survival guide to motorcycle racing would come in handy for all of you so without further adieu, here it goes:

What is AMA Pro Road Racing?

Geico Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing is the premier motorcycle road racing series in North America.  It features the top professional motorcycle racers from America and beyond in four different classes:

National Guard SuperBike – 1000cc 4-cylinders & 1200cc twins with speeds in excess of 190mph

GoPro Daytona Sportbike – Middleweight displacement bikes with speed in excess of 175mph

Motorcycle Superstore Supersport – Middleweight displacement bikes featuring America’s up and coming stars

Vance & Hines XR1200 – Harley-Davidson spec class

What is going on during the weekend?

M1 Powersports’ & Triumph Motorcycles’ Big Kahuna Nationals event’s motto is “Come for the Party and Stay for the Race”.  The weekend is not only about the exciting motorcycle racing, but the party that surrounds it.  Entertainment during the event will include live music from 10a to 1p on Saturday and Sunday, fan walk on Saturday & Sunday, Jason Britten & Eric Hoenshell’s Team No Limit Stunt Shows, fan laps,  Extreme Team 4×4 Monster Truck rides, stunt driver, Kevin Waterman’s,  attempt at driving the entire track on two wheels in his 3 series BMW sedan (with a chance for YOU to win a spot in the passenger seat), appearances by Roots of Music, Rolling Elvi, Pussy Footers, and 610 Stompers.

In addition to this great entertainment, there will be a variety of vendors and food options at the event.  NOLA Motorsports will also have two Kart rental tracks open for a little four wheeled fun.

What to bring?

This is expected to be a beautiful, sunny fall weekend so dress comfortably and wear sunscreen! I would also suggest purchasing your tickets in advance of the event.  This will help with delays entering the park (plus will get you a savings of $10 a ticket).  Tickets can be purchased in advance from TTRNO (insert link here) Great food and drink as well as grandstand seating will be available for the event.

When should you arrive?

Friday is the shortest day, and only includes practice and qualifying.  Saturday and Sunday include qualifying and racing.  If you are only attending one day, you will want to make it Saturday or Sunday.  Racing starts at 1:00pm on Saturday and 12:30pm on Sunday.  Also remember gates open at 7am on these days, so that give you plenty of time to get the lay of the land before the races begin.

I would suggest an early arrival, so you can take advantage of everything the event has to offer.

What does TTRNO have to offer during the weekend?

Triumph Motorcycles is the title sponsor of the weekend.  Triumph owners will be offered a FREE fan lap on the track at the end of Saturday and Sunday, Triumph only parking, and a full Triumph product display with clothing available for purchase next to our trackside Speed Shop.  If you have not had a chance to see our trackside Motorbike Speed Shop, this is your chance!  Our service area will be transformed into a Ducati apparel showroom.

When does it all kick off?

The party gets started Thursday night from 6-9pm at Mardi Gras World. Join us for the biggest bike night New Orleans has seen! Attendance to the bike night is FREE and open to the public.

Zachary U Materne
General Manager – Sales