The first Moto Beach Classic promoted by Roland Sands Design (Bolsa Chica State Beach, Huntington Beach, California, October 14, 2017) saw over 5,000 guests attend the one-day festival that has generated a veritable storm of internet and social media traffic.
“This was a passion project,” says RSD, “and our first attempt at bringing new eyes to two wheels through racing, surfing, art, music and custom bikes,” and what started out as a “wild idea has developed into a Southern California cultural explosion,” according to one outlet.
“The one-day festival brought together Super Hooligan street bike flat track racing, drag and mini bike racing, No Limit stunt shows, surf contests, art, music, food, custom motorcycles and of course, the love for two wheels.” The Bolsa Chica facilities were said to have been “at capacity and filled with lovers of all types of creativity and counterculture.”
At the core of the event were the race pits, “with over 120 hooligans, veterans and professional racers from across the nation orchestrated into a compact carnival. Teams brought makes and models of almost every motorcycle out there ranging from antique hand shift Indians and Harleys, to modern Ducatis. The smell of burning octane and brakes mixed with salty air and tacos made for quite the sight to onlookers on the Pacific Coast Highway and those hanging on the fences beachside.”
Indian Super Hooligan Championship winner, Andy DiBrino, took home the lion’s share of the prizes, which included an Indian Motorcycle FTR750 as well as a $2,500 check from Bell Helmets.
The event also featured BMW Boxer Cup races, and a vendor village with “established custom motorcycle shops, hip vendors and brands, as well as motorcycle industry icons. Local dealerships including Orange County Indian, Kiwi Indian, Long Beach BMW, Irv Seaver Motorcycles and Huntington Beach Harley-Davidson were interspersed with brands like Moon Equipped, Cycle Zombies, Revival Cycles and Brat Style.
Event Sponsors included Indian Motorcycle, Geico, Dunlop, Bell, K&N, Yamaha, Motul and Ducati Scrambler.
Commenting on the publicity generated RSD says that “the true outreach and effects of an event are literally in the hands of the attendees. Our first year brought over 5,000 spectators, twice the anticipated number, but with the ability to connect followers through pre and post social media event content, the impressions are endless.
“The diverse grouping of moto, flat track, bike builder, artist, musician, surfer, photographer, culture maker and brands at the Moto Beach Classic is what makes the event so unique. With so many facets involved, it is a mash up of ideas all in one place with a true soul and spirit. It’s not just about any one thing, it’s about everything, all in one place.”
Moto Beach Classic will return in 2018, with the date yet to be confirmed but the organizers saying it will probably be the same weekend, 13-14 October.
www.rolandsands.com
www.motobeachclassic.com