Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

The 2004 Bike Week in Laconia, New Hampshire was the largest in the 81-year history of the event, according to local officials.

Charlie St. Clair, executive director of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, was quoted in the June 21 edition of The Union Leader, New Hampshire’s statewide newspaper, as calling the 2004 event “the largest Bike Week gathering ever.”

No rock-solid attendance numbers were provided, but New Hampshire State police estimated 2004’s attendance to have exceeded 2003’s attendance, which AMA estimated to be 350,000 over the length of Bike Week.

The 2004 Laconia Bike Week, which began June 12 and extended through June 20, Father’s Day, included dirt track racing, hill climbs, USCRA vintage road racing through the streets of Laconia and the 81st Loudon Classic Formula USA event at New Hampshire International Speedway, which had a “pretty good” spectator attendance, according to NHIS spokesman Ron Meade.