~ Auto Buzz ~: Catalina Grand Prix Film Funding Deadline Approaches (Video)

The Catalina Grand Prix: The Race Returns’ Documentary Promotional Shot

Pipeline Digital Media Press Release: In 1951 the first Catalina Grand Prix was held on the tropical island (as the song says) “26 miles” from Los Angeles. The race became the most prestigious race in the nation, attracting professional racers, movie stars and the average Joe who wanted to “run with the big dogs” over the 100 mile circuit. Names like Bud and Dave Ekins, Ed Kretz Jr, Chuck “Feets” Minert, Keenan Wynn, Lee Marvin and Steve McQueen all took their positions at the starting line in Avalon. But for one thing or another, the race would end after 1958 and the island went on with it’s existence, being a place for weekend getaways, boat outings and bird watching. Then came Vinnie Mandzak, a local dirt biking club racer who successfully convinced the principals of Catalina to allow him to produce the race again in 2010. The race that was never supposed to happen again did in fact happen. Racers of all ages, sexes and levels of skill signed up in droves for a starting spot in this legendary, once in a lifetime race. The world’s top names like Kendall Norman, Kurt Caselli, Ricky Johnson, Johnny Campbell and the wild motorsports legend, Travis Pastrana.

This 2010 race would be very special for one man who could not afford to race it back in the 50’s but went on to become the most well-known, off-road motorcycle racer in history, Malcolm Smith. Malcolm would finally get to race the Catalina Grand Prix, but it would also be his last competitive race…ever. Producer and Director, Todd Huffman’s Pipeline Digital Media would shoot the 2010 event for three days with a crew of 20 for another project that never materialized. The footage has sat for over 4 years. Now, a completely new film will be created from that footage with new interviews being shot all over LA and on the island of Catalina itself. The film will cover the history of the early years as only motorcycle documentary filmmaker, Todd Huffman can do. Like PDM's recently completed and widely acclaimed film PENTON: The John Penton Story, it will utilize interviews, archival film and photos woven with theatrically scored music by composer, Christopher Brady. This history will bridge the film up to the 2010 event including Malcolm and Alexander Smith getting their bikes ready at Malcolm Smith Motorsports, taking them to the docks in San Pedro for the barge ride over, to the dozens of professional and amateur races experiences on this special weekend in December. It will conclude with the full coverage of the professional race on Sunday where KTM’s Kurt Caselli battled Honda’s Kendall Norman for the lead, where Norman would ultimately prevail.

And right there with all the riders will be the narrator, motocross and ESPN Supercross announcing legend, David Bailey. Bailey’s motorcycle knowledge and passion for the sport will come through with his serious but not overbearing vocal delivery. All will be edited into a 80+ minute “Motorcycle Movie Escape” to a little island called Catalina. The funds from Kickstarter will help shoot remaining interviews of Catalina legends from the first races as well as interviews with current stars from the 2010 event. It will also help shoot some possible recreations and process archival film and picture materials.

"THE CATALINA GRAND PRIX: The Race Returns" Film Promo: