Saturday, July 21, 2007

Red Bull U.S. at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway

Nearly 300,000 screaming fans have passed through the gates of Mazda Raceway

I Could Have Used One Of These For The 12th Street Marina Exit on Highway 1.

Laguna Seca and over half a billion (yes, that's billion with a "b") have watched the MotoGP World Championship Race during the last two Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix events.

Last year, Nicky Hayden cemented his status in Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca lore by capturing his second consecutive event title and catapulting himself to a World Championship;

For Some Reason Every time Clayton Passed a Pretty Girl He Said "Outta Your League Dad, Outta Your League."

don't expect Valentino Rossi, Dani Pedrosa and Americans Colin Edwards, John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts, Jr. to go quietly the third time around.

Defending Series Champion Ben Spies leads Eric Bostrom, Miguel Duhamel, Mat Mladin and the rest of the AMA Superbike contingent for their first of two visits to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The 600cc race bikes of the AMA Supersport class also will participate during the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.

This years event ran from July 20-22 and

Jon Kasky and Nancy Rohan of Bird of Paradise Catering

Peninsula Foodnews was on hand to review the local food scene that was a part of the event.

Clayton Isaeff and I were on the scene early with last minute product needs for Bird of Paradise Catering. Chef/Caterers Jon Kasky and Nancy Rohan

Chef Tom of Grapes of Wrath Catering Stokes the fire

were on location at the crack of dawn each day prepping for the food service at the Pit Row suites VIP area.

After we finished our service we switched from vendors to spectators. Our first stop? The food court of course!



Chef Dory Post was on hand with Bon Appetite at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

A real hot spot at this year's event was the Big Fog set up. Big Fog cooling

stations were staggered throughout the event for spectators to use. At one point Clayton and I camped behind a Big Fog fan..conveniently located just out side of the Silverstone Tavern(English Ales).

Clayton found a home at the Blanco Basura tent. With his single purchase this day we completely ruled out our trip to the spoken word Poetry Slam in Big Sur.

Rollin' Smoke BBQ of Watsonville had a large following. Chef Steven Norlock and his wife Martha are partners in this local business. They have won 2006 6th place in California state championship BBQ for Pulled Pork*

2005 6th place in California state championship BBQ for Tri Tip.
2005 Santa Cruz County Fair 1st place for Black Olive Salsa
2005 Santa Cruz County Fair 1st place for Southwestern Relish (Corn Salsa)
2005 Santa Cruz County Fair 3rd place for Steve's Fresh Salsa (Regular)

You will find the Rollin' Smoke BBQ crew vending fresh and delicious BBQ at various events throughout California. They have been found at events everywhere from the California International Airshow to art & wine festivals, car shows and fundraisers.


Volunteers are the background of events like these. Explorer scouts, school community service groups, Boy Scouts, and others fill hundreds of jobs to assist in this event. One volunteer, Thresher Rolle of Pacific Grove is a purchasing agent at the Santa Lucia Preserve by day, but manned buses and booths to ensure the weekend was a success.


Following Chef Christian Sprekers Lead David Brinker, With Foodsales West Portions Up Jones Dairy Sausage Links at the Country Club Caterers Tent

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