The Monterey Peninsula, the premium location for motor sports in America, announces a week-long series of motorcycle activities to celebrate the Red Bull MotoGP Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California this July.

The Meet activities include: Italy's most famous vintage road rally on two wheels, the Motogiro, a vintage motorcycle auction by Mid America Auctions, a Moto Concorso, and series of lectures and seminars on high performance and design.

"I am proud to announce the first annual motorcycle festival - 'The Meet' at Monterey," said Gill Campbell, CEO of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, "I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the MotoGP Championships this July than involving the entire Monterey Peninsula in a week long rally of motor sports excitement."

A highlight of The Meet is the inaugural "Motogiro America" in California. "Monterey is the high performance motorcycle capital of America," said David M. Gross, founder of Motogiro America and The Meet, "And Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is the dream track of enthusiasts everywhere. Many Italian riders are thrilled at the prospect of having the opportunity to ride a lap at Laguna - it's a once in a lifetime event."

Motogiro America is based on the world's most famous two wheeled vintage rally, the Motogiro D'Italia, and is supported by ANCMA, the Associazione Nazionale Ciclo Motociclo Accessori, the Italian Trade Commission of Los Angeles, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the City of Monterey, Paso Robles, and leading companies in the Italian motorcycle industry: Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Vespa. Media support by Cycle World and Moto-Euro. Cook Neilson and Phil Schilling have both signed on to ride at Motogiro America.

Motogiro America, a classic motorcycle timed-tour, covers more than one hundred miles each day during its five-day route and explores the Monterey Peninsula's twisting country roads, challenging foothills, passes and spectacular Pacific panoramas. Visit their website for more information and to register.

"Motogiro America 2008 is part of a week of motor sport excitement on the Monterey Peninsula leading up to Red Bull MotoGP weekend at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca," said Burt Richmond, co-founder of The Meet. "Never before has so much activity been planned to attract enthusiasts to the Central Coast area."

Events begin on Friday July 11th with a symposium on Italian design and a Moto Concorso organized by the Ducati Vintage Club on Saturday July 12th for contemporary and vintage bikes. Also on Saturday is a motorcycle auction conducted by MidAmerica Auctions. On Sunday July 13th, participants will depart from the heart of historic Monterey - Cannery Row - and head for the Mazda Raceway - where they may ride a lap of honor as they begin the Motogiro America.