Michael Satterfield
December 2010 saw the return of the Catalina Grand Prix motorcycle race, the race once considered one of California’s most renowned motorcycle races had not been run on the tiny island since 1958. After 52 years the island off the coast of Southern California was alive with the sound of motorcycle racing. Last years event was a raving success with no incidents that brought a much needed economic boom to the small town of Avalon.
Red Bull and My Cuz Vinnie Promotions LLC, revamped the race for 2010, inviting 800 riders to tackle a newly-minted six-mile course which featured a variety of terrain, including a challenging motocross section and a fire road that took racers up winding turns and around steep bluffs high above the port city of Avalon.
Dispite the success of this event, the Catalina Islands City Manager and Fire Chief Steven Hoefs informed promoters that Santa Catalina Island Company board of directors declined to hold another motorcycle race on the island. According to the promoters no specific reason was sighted by the board.
[Source: My Cuz Vinnie Promotions LLC, Photo Red Bull]
