Press Release | September 27, 2022
Brad Lackey offers up $200,000 Challenge for Carlsbad Raceway Monument Project.
Carlsbad, CA (Sept 22, 2022) – 50 years after heading to Europe to challenge for a World Motocross Championship title, Brad Lackey is challenging his former rivals, sponsors, industry executives, friends and fans to join him in support of the Carlsbad Raceway Monument Project.
Just days ago, Lackey made a public challenge to attendees of the annual Carlsbad Raceway Reunion. He and his wife Lori have committed “the last $10,000 bucks” toward construction of the Carlsbad Raceway Monument and asking 19 other individuals or companies to match that amount and increase the monument construction budget by $200,000.
Although Brad Lackey never won the overall at the USGP at Carlsbad, he remained a fan favorite, frequently singled out by ABC’s Wide World of Sports as “the American on a quest for a World Championship… America’s first.” Brad would fulfill his dream and become the 1982 500cc World Champion and the only American to do so still 40 years later. He acknowledges the USGP media coverage and fan support he enjoyed, and ABC’s massive reach played a part in his legacy in the sport.
Monument funding will continue throughout 2022 and early 2023. Construction is projected to commence in the weeks following. A ribbon cutting ceremony is targeted for June 24, 2023, the 50th anniversary of the inaugural, points paying, FIM United States Grand Prix event hosted at Carlsbad Raceway.
“Carlsbad Raceway holds a lot of special memories for me and millions of others who raced there, attended the races there, watched ABC Wide World of Sports or read about the USGP in magazines,” said Lackey. “It’s beyond fitting that Carlsbad Raceway should have a significant historical monument to remind everyone about the history of MX in the US and what an important part Carlsbad Raceway played. I’m reaching out to my friends, fellow competitors, and motorcycle companies here in the USA and around the world to join Lori and I in building this monument in 2023. For us and so many existing donors and volunteers, this is beyond important and the time to act is right now. Unlike all the DNFs I had at Carlsbad over the years, help us not have one on this great project.”
Watch for Brad Lackey $200,000 Challenge campaign ads to appear in various motorcycle print and online titles including RacerX, Cycle News, Dirt Bike, Motocross Action and American Motorcyclist Magazine.
Carlsbad Raceway Monument Commemorative brick sales start at $275 for a 4”x8” and $525 for an 8”x8”. Additional monument donor and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Online brick order at: https://road2recovery.com/cause-view/the-carlsbad-raceway-monument-fundraiser/
About the Carlsbad Raceway Monument: The Carlsbad Raceway Monument will be a 1300 square foot interpretive-display overlooking the Carlsbad Raceway property. It will detail history of what went on there from the early days of drag racing to motocross, the USGP, ABC Superbikers, sports car racing and the skateboard park. Monument features include an observation deck overlook, “bench racing” benches and colorful plaques to inform visitors of the raceway’s various racing disciplines. The Carlsbad Raceway Monument site is located alongside the Keystone Innovation Industrial Park at 1398 Keystone Way in Vista, CA.