Track Guide
Loudon town situated is a sleepy halfway little between Concord and Laconia, New Hampshire. Laconia was the motorcycling event in the northeast in the Fifties. It was a true Gypsy tour, a term long since deleted from the AMA vocabulary. The road race was almost incidental to the events for the road riders; contests for the best dressed bike, best dressed couple, best dressed club, largest club, longest distance ridden by a rider to attend the event, most taillights
on a Hog. etc. There was a large trade show in the pavilion at the Belknap Recreation Area, where the event was held over closed - for - the - race public roads. In fact, the course was part dirt road until fairly late in the game. And then, there was the drunken orgy of drag racing and other sports in the area’s parking lot on Saturday night. The event was later moved to a private racing facility in Loudon, owned by local tire dealer, dog-sled racer and man-of-thecloth. Keith Brvar.
Because the prime source of income for this area is its tourist trade, the merchants, motel owners, and most residents welcome motorcyclists with open arms, though they also keep a wary eye opened for trouble. For this same reason, there is much to see and do around Concord and Laconia. It is a historic area and with Boston so close, you might wish to arrive early in the week and see some of the Bicentennial exhibits. The home of Franklin Pierce, U.S. 14th president, is in the area, and there are numerous other sites as well. The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, 116 N. Main St., Concord, N.H. 03301 (603) 2242508, can supply a map and guide.
Cultural activities and recreation include summer stock theaters, which may not be open this early in the season, tennis courts, golf and boating, including cruises from Weir’s Beach.
There are also plenty of police on hand for motorcycle Most people will be coming in on Interstate 93. Take exit 14, which is marked “All Routes North and East.” Go east on Routes 4 and 202, then north on Route 106, and the track is on your right about eight miles up. Those coming from the south can pick up 1-93 from Route 3 off Route 128 north from the Massachusetts Turnpike. Coming from the west across Vermont, take 1-89, then north on 93. If you’re approaching from the Maine side, follow Route 4 out of Portsmouth, at the end of the Maine Turnpike, then turn north on Route 106. week. New Hampshire automobile license plates carry the inscription “Live Free Or Die,” but New Hampshire State Police license plates are not so inscribed. On Saturday night, as crowded as Route 106 gets, it seems that every third car is a police cruiser, and if he’s not stopping someone, he’s on his way to stop somebody, or he’s assisting another officer in a show of force.
TRACK GUIDE
WHERE TO STAY
The place to stay used to be camping along Route 106. Don’t do it! Camping there was made illegal last year, and while homeowners can rent their lawns to you. if you stray too close to the road you will be arrested. Camping is permitted on track property, however. Five hundred camp sites are available for RV camping at Gunstock, Route 11A, Gilford, N.H. (603) 293-4341. Hookups are available. For reservations, write Box 336, Laconia, N.H. 03246.
There are plenty of large motels in the Weir’s Beach area, and many smaller ones. Some of the track officials and most spectators stay in this area. Just take Route 106 north from the track until it joins Route 3, and continue north through Laconia. Traffic moves very slowly here. For a full listing of hotels and motels, contact the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, 9 Veteran’s Square, Laconia, N.H. 03246.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
MOTEL
RFD 3
Laconia, N.H. 03246 (603) 366-4378
We’ve heard it mentioned in the proper circles—should be good.
KING’S GRANT INN AND CHALET Junction 11B/1 1C Gilford, N.H. 03246 (603) 293-4431 mailing address:
RFD 5
Laconia, N.H. 03246 Ditto—should be good.
NEW HAMPSHIRE HIGHWAY HOTEL 1-93, Exit 14 Concord, N.H. 03301 (603) 225-6687
Official race headquarters, fully booked up months in advance. An older building, with very charming dining rooms, worth going to even just for a meal and to look around.
MARGATE FOUR SEASONS RESORT 76 Lake Street Laconia, N.H. 03246 (603) 524-5210
Excellent large motel with all amenities at a reasonable (in context) price.
BRICKYARD MOUNTAIN INN
P.O. Box 398 Laconia, N.H. 03246 (603) 366-4316
RAMADA INN 172 N. Main St.,
Concord. N.H. 03301 (603) 224-9534
Brand new and nice. Many racers stay here. We’ll probably give it a try ourselves.
CONCORD COACH 1-93, Exit 12S Concord, N.H. 03301 (603) 224-2511
Small, clean place with average prices. A little removed from all the excitement; many independent racers stay here.
HOW TO GET THERE
At this writing, the law requires both a helmet and eye protection. Police are very strong on eye protection, and we talked to one rider who was arrested after his glasses blew off when he turned to look over his shoulder. He stopped, but instead of walking back, he turned his bike around and rode back to where the glasses had landed. That was when the cop spotted him.
But one of the people we talked to in preparing this article mentioned that you have to understand the people there to realize why the police react this way. The land has an unspoiled beauty to it. The people are afraid of infiltration. There are few weak people here; most stand on their own two feet. There is no easy welfare. New Hampshire residents do not want this blissful state of affairs to change. If you come to Loudon to see the races and buy from the local merchants, you’ll be fine; but come to raise hell, and they will raise more than that with you.
Some of the attitude is softening. The Manchester newspaper long held a hard line against motorcyclists, but in re cent years, they've incorporated a weekly column on motorcy cling. And the Laconia Evening Gazette, voting on the sports story of 1976, gave Steve Baker's Loudon win the num ber one slot, topping the suc cess of a cross-country skier who lives in Laconia.
Come to the races at Bryar Motorsport Park. Enjoy your self. And help improve motor cycling's new image.
WHERE TO EAT
There are a host of fast-food establishments and middlepriced restaurants on Routes 4 and 202 between 1-93 and Route 106, and also in the Weir’s Beach area. The Dunkin Donuts on Route 3 coming into Laconia is open 24 hours and is very popular. Along the same road is a Burger King and a Pizza Hut. Other restaurants include:
THE RED BLAZER 72 Manchester St.
Concord, N.H. 03301 (603) 224-7779
THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE
118 Manchester St.
Concord, N.H. 03301 (603) 228-8911
The best way to get to either of these restaurants from the track is to take Route 106 south to its end, then go right on Route 3. This means staying on Route 106 past the Route 4 and 202 turnoff. These restaurants are also accessible via Airport Road from Routes 4 and 202. Again, turn right on Route 3. Prices are reasonable, around $5 plus drinks.
HART’S TURKEY FARM Route 3 and 104 Meredith. N.H. 03253 (603) 279-6212
Well north of Weir’s Beach, but worth the extra drive. Filling, nourishing food at very reasonable prices. Turkey dinner is the speciality, but steaks and chops are also served.
MEDIEVAL MANOR AT KING’S GRANT INN AND CHALET 11B/11C Junction Gilford, N.H. 03246 (603) 293-4431
Dining and entertainment at $12.50 per person. Furnishings, court jesters, and other trappings of the 1300s. We haven’t been there, but expect to try it. Reservations only.
Other restaurants are listed in a brochure available from the Chamber of Commerce. Don’t forget the New Hampshire Highway Hotel for meals.
Just below the south end of Main Street is a Kentucky Fried Chicken for those who get off on licking their fingers, and this is usually visited at least once during the weekend by the smaller race teams.
BIKE SHOPS
There is always somebody who needs a part or an accessory for his bike, or perhaps a major repair. There are a large number of motorcycle shops in the area, servicing every major brand except Kawasaki. There is also a chopper shop on Route 106 a few miles south of the track, and the owner puts up a big sign for the weekend.
VENTURE VEHICLES. LTD. 232 Loudon Rd.
Concord. N.H. 03301 (603) 224-3307
Route 4 and 202, between I93 and Route 106. Yamaha and Bultaco are the major brands at this very large shop. Good accessory department.
CONCORD MOTORCYCLE SHOP
12 Sandquist PI.
Concord, N.H. 03301 (603) 225-2302
Off Route-3, alongside 1-93, but devilishly hard to get to. Honda and Harley-Davidson. Large, old establishment, supposedly in a new shop at the same location.
CARLE’S MOTORCYCLE SHOP
589 Union Ave.
Laconia. N.H. 03246 (603) 524-2683
For years, the motorcycle shop in Laconia. Should have lots of parts for Indian. BSA and other older brands, and is always well stocked with accessories and lubricants.
LACONIA HONDA 981 Union Ave.
Laconia. N.H. 03246 (603) 524-6636
Benelli riders should check out Tom and Dennis’ Small Engine Service on Route 3 in Laconia, or Beranger Volkswagen in Rochester—a long haul to the east.
The nearest Kawasaki shop is Hookset Kawasaki, on Route 3, almost into Manchester. Take Route 106 south to its end, then turn left on 3. You can also try Hampton Kaw. in New Hampton. about 30 miles north of Laconia, or the shop in Dover, about 30 miles east of Loudon.
WHERE TO WATCH THE RACING
Grandstands are free this year, and with Loudon laid out on the side of a hill just like a huge TV set in front of you. they offer a view of almost the whole track. Down by the last turn is always good, and frequently the place where this race is decided.
If you like faster action, go farther along to the first turn area. You'll be watching the faster parts of the track, and if the rider makes a mistake, he can go sailing into Lane’s Lake.
Loudon is definitely a rider’s course, no matter where you watch. There has been exciting action there in the past and will be again this year.
Expect more activities for the road riders this year as well. There may even be a parade through the downtown Laconia area for the first time in years. There will be displays of antique motorcycles at the track, in conjunction with the spring meeting of the local chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club.
And if you have a little extra time off, the AAMRR (local alphabet club) holds an annual “Loudon Warmup’’ weekend. the week before the AMA event, with possibly a Hurley Wilvert Rider school on Friday. You can check out the track, then the historical sights, and stay for the big weekend. There’s hardly a nicer place anywhere in mid-June. See you there.
A roadway has been opened all around the track so you can walk or settle into a favorite spot and watch the action up close. Devlin’s Dump, the turn just before the uphill straight, is a good place to watch. If you like wheelies. go just beyond the crest of the hill. The turn following this is very fast,
tricky, and rough enough to write off a motorcycle. One racer tore his factory Suzuki in half there one year. You won’t get close enough to watch the infield hairpin except through binoculars, but it’s slow and rough—a good spot to sense an incipient spill before it occurs, and it’s where Kenny Roberts lost his bid for a win last year when a slow turkey threw it away in front of him.
