Will AFM Ever Return to Sonoma ?

[iudi2006]

So many great memories at Sears Point.
What’s the main thing that’s keeping AFM & MotoAmerica from holding events at the venue?

With it just being repaved , it would be awesome to have an event there at some point in the near future.

 

[jbawden]

Prior to the repave I believe it was a value proposition that wasn't favorable to AFM: High rental cost and poor track surface meant entries may not be where they need to be for profitability. Board members have posted in other threads that it's too late for 2024, but they are making a go at '25 and beyond. I think everyone agrees a lot of AFM history is rooted there.

 

[budman]

For sure the AFM roots run deep at the Point.

Hope to see a return in '25.

 

[Clutchaclese]

I was told by a board member that the dates Sears Point offered the AFM were weekends that have been historically low turnout for the club (at any track). Making the weekend profitibale even more unlikely.

I personally would take a Laguna weekend over Sears Point any day.

 

[jbawden]

I personally would take a Laguna weekend over Sears Point any day.

I was just recently having a discussion about ranking our regional tracks with a buddy. I was debating between Sears and Laguna at the top spot and realized I've been putting the history and mystic over objective ranking when it comes to Laguna. Take away all the moto history and Laguna isn't that interesting of a track. It's a great track and is fun, but Sears is a more technically demanding track and I think that is why I put it at the top.

Here is my list by the way:
1. Sears Point
2. Laguna
3. Buttonwillow
4. Thunderhill

 

[budman]

I loved the old Sears Point. You know.. the one that was dangerous as F.
I get the changes, but man there was some awesome flow when you could blow through 9 at a buck thirty and 10 at a hundo and then blast on towards 11. That was a lot of fun, but unforgiving.

 

[Clutchaclese]

I can see your point about the history at Laguna being a factor. I had already raced at Sears fairly early so maybe it wasnt as special to me. And of course Sears was so dangerous back then- maybe that added to the mystique. I didnt get to race Laguna until 2022 at AHRMA so it was pretty special by that point. The only time I ever really felt in awe on a track was the first time I exited turn 6 at Laguna and made that run up to the corkscrew. I pretty much built another race bike just for Laguna. That Smokin Joe's is going to look so pretty over turn 1

 

[berth]

I don't race, I spectate.

I like Laguna, I like the Corkscrew, I like the Top Of Hill shuffle where you watch the riders dive into the Corkscrew, and then rush over to the other side to seem them come out of Turn 10 until they head back up the hill after 6, rinse and repeat.

That said, I like Sonoma better. It's a more intimate track, easier to get around, I like to sit by the Bus Stop and hear the bikes chattering under breaking, but still have a good view of the front straight and the Carousel.

 

[afm199]

Well, I grew up on Sears Point, including $70 all day trackdays, no groups, mixed with cars. I love the course. The cost today is incredible, and apparently the old management that was moto friendly is gone.

 

[budman]

I remember doing trackdays with gokarts, but not cars. Little low fuckers would pass us in the carousel and then we blow by and again in 7 here they came.

The 3 J's were solid people.

 

[Johnny LaRue]

If we go back, I hope it without those silly chicanes... Did a track day with NASCAR. That is when I learned about car's corner speeds and like the man said especially in the carousel.

 

[duh_ave]

historically, the club always lost money at sears; even with a righteous turnout. BW was always a money maker and t-hill could go either way.

I'm curious, what happened to the air fencing the club own(ed?) that was stored at sears?

 

[mheinee]

I remember grass getting stuck in my left knee slider in turn 6, trying to stay inside of all the pot holes .
But 6th gear through the old 9, and flicking into 10 after a quick downshift.. still one of the most thrilling things ever!

on biased ply Dunlop K591's

Mark

 

[Clutchaclese]

I would also like to note that Jon's avatar is a picture of Laguna, not Sears

 

[wankerboy]

I loved the old Sears Point. You know.. the one that was dangerous as F.
I get the changes, but man there was some awesome flow when you could blow through 9 at a buck thirty and 10 at a hundo and then blast on towards 11. That was a lot of fun, but unforgiving.

Until Casey