Machines of the Red Bull Grand Prix (photos)
Along with the annual motorcycle races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, tens of thousands of fans get an up-close look at superbikes and the latest, greatest gear.
Mechanic preps a Yamaha racing bike
SALINAS, Calif.--A journey through the racing pits and marketplace at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the weekend's annual Red Bull Grand Prix here unveiled a world of elite engineering and technology tied to some of the fastest driving machines in the world.
In today's elite racing motorcycles, sophisticated computer software analyzes and tunes competitive performance, as on this Yamaha racing bike being prepped by a mechanic.
Super bikes on display
Time trial times
The Red Bull Grand Prix packs several days of test runs, time trials, and elite motorcycle racing into the big weekend. During practice laps and time trials for the Red Bull Grand Prix, updated lap times are posted electronically to the media and throughout the pits on giant screens.
The main event is the Red Bull MotoGP U.S. Grand Prix, where this year Australian Tommy Casey Stoner beat out defending world tour champion Jorge Lorenzo.
Superbike stripped to its core
Keeping tires warm at Suzuki
Yamaha racing bike stripped to core
Fitted racing fire suits
2010 Playboy Mazda MX-5 Miata
2011 Mazda 2 B-Spec
Modern Mazda rotary engine
Kids get their crack at dirt bike
National Guard-sponsored racing bike
Lexus LFA supercar
Star Motorcycles 2011 Stryker
In between races, fans swam through a sea of outdoor vendor space. Ducati, Star Motorcycles, Yamaha, Honda, and their competitors put up modest tent cities where riders could get hands-on time with the latest dream cycles, gear, on-bike gadgets, and even hot new cars coming to showrooms in 2012.
One of many bikes on display for sale at local dealers, the 2011 Stryker from Star Motorcycles sells standard-equipped for about $15,000.