History of the Sandia Classic
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The Sandia Classic is the brain child of Craig Murray, a local AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) racer with multiple AHRMA national championships under his belt. Craig wanted to bring vintage racing closer to home and to create some of the fun he had found in past Rocky Mountain motorcycle events. Craig got the racing bug watching races in Steamboat, Colorado at the large multi-discipline event held there for many years. Steamboat is sadly no longer, but Craig used Steamboat as a template to create a destination event in New Mexico for motorcycle racers and race enthusiasts from all over the US. Craig is not the only AHRMA champion from New Mexico. Seven other national AHRMA champions - Steve Brown, Steve Hurley, Craig Congleton and Dennis Parrish in roadracing, Wes Willis and Jim Crain who compete in Motocross and Gene Waggoner who rides Trials are all New Mexico residents. Chick’s Harley-Davidson/Buell was instrumental in the success of the Sandia Classic. Chick Hancock understood Craig's vision of the event and the importance of bringing AHRMA racing to New Mexico. Chick’s Harley-Davidson/Buell was the anchor sponsor of the first event in 2003 and continued to support the event until retirement in 2006. R&S PowerSports and Bobby J's Yamaha joined in 2004 and continue as primary sponsors. Of course we could not make this great event work without volunteers. In 2004 we had over 180 volunteers from the community, various motorcycle clubs and from across the nation who helped bring the event together. Review of Previous YearsLook through the links below for a wrap up of race results, photos and posters from previous years. 2007 The key for 2007 was growth. We filed for 501(c)(3) status in order to request money from various government agencies. In 2007 we also, for the first time, hired a PR agency to help promote the Sandia Classic. More activities were added this year - a modern superbike race, modern roadrace side cars and in conjunction with VDTRA, the "Stars of Tomorrow" kids dirt track racing. We were also able to greatly improve the terrain for trials by using the escarpment northwest of the motocross track.
2006
2005 The 2005 Sandia Classic grew to include all 5 AHRMA disciplines with the addition of trials and cross country. We also linked up with the New Mexico Department of Transportation Motorcycle Safety Days, starting a great partnership to promote motorcycle safety by bringing street racers to the track. The 2005 Sandia Classic posted over 300 unique racers from 25 states and Canada - ages 11 to 70's - grided in over 500 race entries!
2004 The 2004 Sandia Classic grew from roadracing and a vintage bike show to include vintage and post vintage motocross, dirt track racing and a custom bike show. The event posted over 600 racers to the grid from 28 states, 4 countries and as far away is Europe.
The first year of the Sandia Classic, hosted 2 rounds of the AHRMA national roadracing circuit and a vintage bike show. The event posted nearly 300 racers to the grid.
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For questions, comments or changes to this web page contact the webmaster. © Sandia Classic, Inc. a 501(c)(3) Corporation
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