Red Bull Catalina Grand Prix News & Notes
Avalon, CA - A World Class field of racers and cross-over athletes will be on hand to celebrate the return of the Red Bull Catalina Grand Prix to the island after a 50+ year hiatus. In addition Baja 1000 winners Kendall Norman and Quinn Cody, look for Olympic skier/motocross fanatic Daron Rahlves, FMX icon Ronnie Renner and some other surprise entrants hidden in the field of nearly 800 riders.
After another amazing X-Games performance, stint in a Subaru Rally Car (including the overall win in at the Washington round and 3rd place in the national standings) and announcing that he will be competing in NASCAR next season, Red Bull pulled out all the stops to bring over Nitro Circus star Travis Pastrana to kick off the latest movie. Look for the Red Bull Catalina GP movie premiere party at the famous Casino here on the island. Nitro Circus In 3D will show on Saturday night.
Speaking of parties, be sure not to miss the Red Bull Beach Blast at Descanso Beach on Friday night.
Rocking the Hotel Metropole will be free live performances by the Winchester Rebels on December 3-4. The hard rockers from Santa Barbara have been compared to the likes of Alice In Chains, STP, Danzig, Muse, Bowie, Incubus and others. "The drums are hard-hitting, the guitars are heavy, the vocals inspire and carry the melodic sound of a band that demands to be heard," says front man Nick Hunt. For an advance look, check them out at www.myspace.com/winchesterrebels
Unofficially kicking off the festivities is a golf tournament on Friday, December 3 to benefit the AMA District 37 Legal Defense Fund. Club rentals are available if you forgot to bring your sticks along with your race bike. Call (310) 510-0530 for a tee time if you plan on getting to the Island early.
For racers and fans staying over on Sunday, December 5th, join the locals for the annual Shop At Home Night. The holiday festivities kick off with a tree lighting ceremony on the Wrigley Stage on the waterfront in Avalon. Santa Claus arrives by fire truck and strolling carolers will be serenading the shoppers. Participating store will be staying open late, many offering refreshments and holiday treats in addition to bargain prices. Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Wayne Griffin also invites guests to enjoy the Tour Of Lights to drop off a new unwrapped toy for the Toys 4 Tots program for the local children. Get your treasure card stamped and enter to win reservations for two to the 2010 New Year’s Eve Gala on the Island.
One registered racer who probably won't make the start of Sunday's $5,000 GPR Stabilizers Pro Finale will be Justin Imhof. The 17 year-old racing sensation had a big get-off in the Baja 1000 two weeks ago and was knocked unconscious for at least half an hour. Racing heroes Brian Pinard and Ricky Johnson were the first two riders on the scene. While Pinard tended to Imhof, RJ went ahead for help at Mission San Javier. Unbelievably both Pinard and RJ went on to help their teams capture wins in Class 30 and Class 40 (RJ teamed with Troy Lee and Louie Franco on the Red Bull/TLD Honda) even after waiting for proper medical assistance to arrive to transport the fallen rider. RJ is flying in from the USAC banquet to compete in Sunday's Pro Finale against the same guys he battled down in Baja, Team JCR's Kendall Norman, Colton Udall, Timmy Wiegand, and Johnny Campbell.
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