This just in from Laguna Seca:

DATES SET FOR 2009 MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND AT MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA

Fifth Annual Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 3-5, 2009
MONTEREY, Calif. (July 25, 2008) - Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca officials today announced July 3-5, 2009 are the dates for the fifth annual Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, featuring the MotoGP World Championship. The new race date will give extra incentive for American riders Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards as they take on the world's best on the most patriotic weekend of the year.

"What better weekend for the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix than the Fourth of July," said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. "We are planning special fan activities to celebrate and you can bet the American riders will have special leathers, helmets and bike graphics commemorating Independence Day."

The 2009 race marks the fifth consecutive visit for MotoGP teams and riders to the historic Monterey circuit and the first time the event has been staged on the July 4th weekend. The date for the event is tentative, subject to the release of the full FIM calendar in September.

Tickets for the event go on sale this October. Reserved camping and hospitality tickets go on sale October 1, while all other tickets - general admission, grandstand, paddock, parade lap and parking - go on sale October 6. Renewal forms will be sent to current customers on August 21.