World Superbike Racing Blog

Utah is notable in the public consciousness for two things: skiing and the local religion. But the Beehive State is working hard to make motorsport number three.

Utah has embraced promoting itself as a motorsport destination. That World Superbike’s annual stopover at Miller Motorsports Park is a crucial cog in that strategy was made evident last year when SBK was welcomed at the steps of the State Capitol by Governor Gary Herbert. The pomp and ceremony of 2010 may not have kicked off the racing festivities this year, the fourth consecutive visit by WSB, but the Memorial Day MMP/SBK weekend is already reckoned an annual state tradition by some.

The motorsports-friendly stance extends back to the previous Governor, John Huntsman, an avid rider and dirt bike enthusiast. Huntsman made a point of attending the return of Supercross to Salt Lake City's Rice Eccles Stadium in 2009. The opening of Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele also took place during his administration (Huntsman left office to serve as Ambassador to China after being appointed by President Obama – the former Gov. rumored as a potential presidential candidate himself in 2012).

In some ways Salt Lake City as motorcycle racing destination is a head scratcher. After all, SLC is a long haul from any major population centers, including large motorcycling populaces like California (not to mention MMP’s location in Tooele is a fair drive out from SLC proper). Yet attendance continues to grow year after year, with MMP doing a laudable job of promoting the SBK event to the public at large – not just two-wheeled enthusiasts.

While there are some geographic challenges, the Utah/motorsports strategy has quite a bit going for it. One of motorsports’ most hallowed grounds rests on the western border with Nevada in the Bonneville Salt Flats. Prime ATV/OHV country is highlighted by the Paiute Trail in the Southwestern quadrant of the state. The red rock of Moab in southeastern Utah is world-renowned for its off-roading, both motorized and human-powered.

World Superbike appeals in particular to Utah because of its international exposure. Utah went absolutely bonkers hosting the Winter Olympics in 2002 (I say that having experienced the Olympics first-hand as University of Utah student and downtown SLC resident at the time). Most Utahns don’t know much, if anything, about World Superbike. But they know something big is happening at that Miller track. Hosting SBK may pale compared to the grandeur of the Olympics, but the international flair delivered by World Superbike was mentioned repeatedly by Herbert and the Miller family last year.

The potential rain on Sunday and Monday may washout some of the growing enthusiasm this time around, but don’t be surprised if Miller’s annual World SBK rites continue for years to come.