Race track draws crowds for Motorcycle Week

NH Motor Speedway drew 40,000 during week, concert was well attended, demo rides popular

By ROGER AMSDEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LOUDON — New Hampshire Motor Speedway proved to be a destination point for motorcycle enthusiasts during the 93rd edition of Laconia Motorcycle Week, drawing 40,000 people over the 10-day event according to Kristen Lestock, the track's communications director.

"We had a very successful motorcycle week," said Lestock, who said that one of the highlights was Saturday's Loudon Classic, which was followed by a Jackyl concert. "Those who attended the Loudon Classic and concert enjoyed the day's races and had a great time rocking out with the band. This was the first time we have offered a concert during our motorcycle week and it was very well received by the competitors and riders in the area."

She said attendance figures for those events were not available as the Speedway is a publicly held company. Lestock said that during the week the track hosted a variety of on-track racing as well as demo rides, which proved extremely popular.

"All of the demo ride manufacturers were blown away by the numbers of participants that they had. In fact, many of their sign-up sheets for rides were full a day ahead. The display lot was packed every day as well, with riders checking out their booths, and motorcycles were lined up on every inch of our property."

She said that the Speedway's 7-mile demo course route, the longest in the area, took riders through an unmatched on- and off-property experience and featured seven manufacturers: Harley-Davidson, Can-Am, Yamaha, Ducati, Victory, Indian and Slingshot.

Lestock said that four years ago the track started adding other activities for riders and that more than 30 vendors displays were set up at the track this year.

"We're very happy to see this kind of growth and expect that it will continue in the years to come," said Lestock.