Sears Point
SEARS POINT
Sonoma, California
It’s since been an a AMA number National of years Road Race was held at Sears Point. Since that time the track has undergone a number of changes, there are many new faces in racing and the latest equipment is naturally superior to that of the past. That is about all that’s changed, meaning the surrounding countryside is still beautiful and a superb place for a visit, making the Sears Point National all the more desirable.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for Saturday only $4.00, for Sunday only $8.00. If you plan to attend both days, buy the $ 10.00 ticket that allows you to visit the track both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available through all ticket agencies and will be sold at the gate on race day. For more information, contact Sears Point International Raceway, Highwavs 37 & 121. Sonoma. Calif. 95476.
SEARS POINT RACING SCHEDULE SATURDAY 1 p.m.-250-cc Expert qualifying heat. Five laps each, fol lowed by a Superbike production heat of five laps, and two Novice heats of five laps each. 3 p.m.-250-cc Expert final event. Fifty miles or 20 laps on a 21/2-mile course. 4:15 p.m.-Sidecar practice. SUNDAY 11 a.m.-Two Expert 750-cc qualifying heats of 10 laps each. 1 p.m.-Novice final, 16 laps or 40 miles. 2 p.m.-National event, Expert 750-cc final-30 laps or 75 miles. 3:30 p.m.-Superbike Production finals. 4:15 p.m.-Sidecar finals.
TRACK GUIDE
WHERE TO WATCH THE RACING
Proper spectating does take some extra care, though. The point uses natural terrain, with blind turns, hills and hairpins, which is fine for the racers but hard on photographers and the track prefers to keep fans and press safely back from the tricky bits.
One good vantage place is the bluff along the esses, which also gives a view of the carousel and the uphill from Turn 1 through Turn 3. At the top of the hill you can get fairly close to Turns 3 and 4. For the sedentary watcher, there are bleachers at the start-finish line, although few true caring nuts like to just sit there.
The pits in effect divide the track into the north section and the south section. Last time we w'ere there we weren't allowed to cut through the pits during the racing, which means an early choice; wander from turn to turn at one end of the track or the other.
Perhaps the best way to see the entire track in sections would be to hike to one end for the lightweight races on Saturday and other end for the big bikes on Sunday.
WHERE TO STAY
There is only one motel and one hotel in the small town of Sonoma. The hotel, Sonoma Mission Inn, is quite old and picturesque.
SONOMA MISSION INN
Hwy 12
Boyes Hot Springs, Calif. 95416 (717) 996-1041
EL PUEBLO
896 W. Napa Sonoma, Calif. 95476 (717) 996-3651
Camping is available at Sugar Loaf State Park, located 10-12 miles north of Sonoma on Hwy. 12.
Nearby Highway 101 offers many motels and perhaps is the best source for lodging. Many of the racers stay at the Holiday Inn in San Rafael, which also has a restaurant. The Alvarado Inn is another good bet along 101.
Some people like to splurge a bit and stay in San Francisco when they go to an event at Sears Point. That’s all well and good, but San Rafael, just 15 minutes away, has atmosphere and a number of hotels and motels.
WHERE TO EAT
The Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce, 461 First Street West, Sonoma, Calif. 95476 (707) 996-1033, supplied us with the following listing of restaurants in the area.
AU RELAIS
691 Broadway (at Andrieux)
Sonoma
(717) 996-1032
French cuisine. Three-four blocks south of the Plaza.
LA CASA
127 E. Spain St. Sonoma (717) 996-3406 For Mexican food.
THE SWISS HOTEL
18 W. Spam St.
Sonoma (717) 996-9822
Used to be a hotel—now it’s restaurant and bar.
LONDON LODGE
1340 Arnold Dr.
Glen Ellen (717) 996-6306
Just eight miles north ofl Sonoma. Good food.
LITTLE SWITZERLAND
Grove & Riverside El Verano (717) 996-9990 Dine and dance.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Point is in an unusual location, being just 45 minutes from San Francisco, and a half hour from the Napa Valley, the heart of the wine country. Located near the intersection of Highways 37 and 121, the track is just a short distance from the actual town of Sonoma, which has a number of historic spots to see.
