From a press release issued by New Hampshire International Speedway:

THE EIGHTY-FIRST ANNUAL LOUDON CLASSIC WEEK: THE TRADITION CONTINUES

By Ron Meade

(LOUDON, N.H. – March 24, 2004) — The Eighty-first Annual Loudon Classic Week is shaping up to be one of the most action-packed in the event’s storied history. The Classic has recaptured the excitement of past years with top level, handlebar-to-handlebar, nose-to-tail pack racing run rain or shine. A number of Canadian riders have been invited to the Classic to test our best at the nation’s oldest professional race meet in the fan favorite Diablo 125 GP Can-Am Challenge.

In addition to the Canadian riders, the Loudon Road Racing Series (LRRS) racers will again compete with the Formula USA teams adding to the excitement of this legendary event. The LRRS riders will use their Saturday and Sunday, June 12-13 race weekend as a final tune-up for the Classic.

Throughout that same weekend, the Merrimack Trail Riders will be conducting trail runs from the Speedway to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Society.

On Monday, June 14, the great riders and bikes from the early years of the Loudon Classic will challenge the 1.6 mile road course in the U.S. Classic Racing Association (USCRA) North American Vintage Road Race Championships. Many motorcyclists will join the Gypsy Tour at Weirs Beach and head south for a scenic run that will be highlighted by two parade laps around the NHIS road course.

The Penguin Racing School is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, June 15-16. Present and future road racers can get the necessary training to become fully licensed to compete in the Loudon Road Racing Series events at NHIS. Bikes and leathers can be rented from the school for those who are just getting started.

A Promoter’s Practice Day on Thursday, June 17 gives the teams competing at the Loudon Classic an opportunity to practice and tune their machines for the weekend.

The Eighty-first Annual Loudon Classic officially begins on Friday, June 18 with practice and qualifying sessions for all Formula USA classes. Rally & Race visitors will also have the opportunity to make a second Gypsy Tour to the Speedway from Rally & Race Headquarters.

Friday afternoon features the grueling 100-lap Loudon Team Challenge. Sidecar and Super Motard practice sessions conclude the day’s action.

Saturday, June 19 at the Classic will showcase the talents of both the amateur and professional classes. After the morning practice sessions, the afternoon is filled with amateur races, Formula USA qualifying, and the 2nd Annual Super Motard, an event which combines pavement and dirt racing.

The Eighty-First Annual Loudon Classic concludes on Father’s Day, June 20 with a full slate of Formula USA Championship Series National Road Race Series events. The racing at the track gets underway at noon with the ThunderBikes followed by the Diablo 125 GP Can-Am Challenge, the UL Expert GP, Rising Sun 250 GP, SportBike and SuperBike events. The action will be non-stop all afternoon.

A giant Parade to the Speedway starts at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 20 at the Meredith High School. Last year’s parade saw an estimated 500 bikes make the trip to NHIS. Riders enjoy this run as local residents line the route to thank our visitors for a wonderful week.

Make your plans now to attend the Classic by calling Speedway Guest Services at (603) 783-4931 for money-saving advance sale tickets or visit us online at www.nhis.com. Camping is available for all VIP Weekend ticket holders.