Anyone been to a MotoGP event?

Ducatithai · 01-13-2013, 06:51 PM

What's the experience like? I want to go to one this year.

Jaxx · 01-13-2013, 07:07 PM

Yeah I went to the Laguna Seca Motogp in 2008. Awesome experience. It was so cool to see how fast the riders really go and you can even see them working the controls on a lot of the corners you could get that close. We camped at the track which was a massive party too. Be prepared, everything is very pricy from tickets, parking, food etc.
I would like to see a motogp race in another country at some point.

stnkbg1 · 01-13-2013, 07:44 PM

Been to Laguna Seca a couple times, and yes it's awesome to see the bikes up close. I do find that it's a lot more difficult to follow what's actually going on during the race though, as you cant always see the whole track, and obviously you dont have the TV commentators giving the play by play either. That said, it's totally worth it for the experience. No video can convey just how loud and awesome those bikes sound. It's not like any other bike you've heard before.

Last time I brought my motorhome and towed a couple bikes to get into town. We camped on site which is really the way to go if you can. Monterey is a huge party every night, which is cool if you're into overgrown bike nights. Stuff is expensive, but that's true of most events. We brought most of our food and such so it wasn't too bad.

Ducatithai · 01-13-2013, 07:50 PM

I'm thinking about going to the Indianapolis event. It's closest to my home. Do how much are the tickets usually go for? You guys met any riders up close?

PhilB · 01-13-2013, 09:48 PM

It's definitely worth going at least once, to get the real experience of the live racing. TV just does not, and cannot, convey it. I try to go to at least one a year. I suggest doing so as soon as you can, before Ezpeleta destroys the whole thing.

PhilB

OldSchlPunk · 01-13-2013, 10:03 PM

Worked Indy the last 3 years. Got Nicky's autograph on my old Arai Hayden Wired helmet, my friend got Rossi's autograph on his old Rossi replica helmet. Met more riders and former riders at the Indy Mile on Saturday night, Marco Melandri, Aaron Yates, Loris Capirossi, Chris Carr, Jay Springsteen, Scott Russell, Doug Polen, Randy Mamola and a few others. At one point, Marco Simoncelli walked past and I wished I had stopped and talked to him. Who knew...?

The first year there, I worked turn 1B, right at the end of the fence, rider's left where they were turning in. Absolutely awesome having them going by at that speed, only 4-5 feet away.

The atmosphere is really cool.

Max Deutch · 01-13-2013, 10:18 PM

We go to Indy each year. Awesome experience.

Like the others said, you don't get the true impression of their speed until you see it up close and in-person. The racing is great, but there is also the infield and other attractions. We do three days to take it all in.

Ticket info here:

Red Bull Indianapolis GP - Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Shamrock627 · 01-13-2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducatithai

I'm thinking about going to the Indianapolis event. It's closest to my home. Do how much are the tickets usually go for? You guys met any riders up close?

I went to the 2012 event @ Indy. Total was $157 for 2 reserved seating tickets including included $20 parking pass (I needed handicap parking).

I can say it is an experience you will never forget. The riders throwing the bikes on the ground, does not even APPEAR to look the same as TV. I lost my breath thinking they had wrecked, but it was a normal corner!

malik ross · 01-14-2013, 12:17 PM

I went to Indy the year of the hurricane. It was cool except for the day of the races.

Also went to Valencia in 2011. traffic was a nightmare and the weather also sucked.

Even if you opt for the cheap seats spend the money on the pit passes so you can walk past the garages and get close to the bikes/riders. Otherwise you might as well watch the races on TV.

oldskoolbusa · 01-14-2013, 02:09 PM

I went to Laguna in 05, first year back in the us. It was a clusterfuck of the highest magnitude, they had no clue on parking, how to route traffic, nothing. If you go, camp.

Dunno about Indy, and I heard the f1 race at Austin was a disaster traffic wise.

Ducatithai · 01-14-2013, 03:56 PM

Thanks for the input guys really appreciate it. Not sure if I'm going to camp out there. The weather might be too hot for me around that time of year. I think I'm going with the hotel route. Lol. So this next question how's the nightlife in Indianapolis? I wouldn't mind checking out some clubs out there too while I'm out there.

Max Deutch · 01-14-2013, 04:23 PM

I am too old and married for night life

TCormier · 01-14-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldskoolbusa

I went to Laguna in 05, first year back in the us. It was a clusterfuck of the highest magnitude, they had no clue on parking, how to route traffic, nothing. If you go, camp.

Dunno about Indy, and I heard the f1 race at Austin was a disaster traffic wise.

Traffic is always a disaster in Austin. That's what happens whenever you only put one major interstate through a metropolitan area. There are only two ways to get to the track, and one involves a rather expensive and new toll road. It was so terrible my commute (normally 25 minutes) took 1 hour 30 minutes, and I wasn't even on these major highways!

That being said, I've bought my tickets for the CoTA MotoGP event, and have signed up to cornerwork so may do that instead!

PJFZ1 · 01-15-2013, 07:56 AM

For the Nightlife in Indy - go downtown to Meridian street on Friday/Saturday nights.. they close the street for a bike night, with several thousand bikes, and all the nightlife you want within a few blocks.. Definitely worth checking out. It's expensive to stay downtown, but if you can, you can drink/party/hangout and go straight to your room when you're ready without needing a cab.

Technomancer · 01-15-2013, 07:33 PM

Bring your hearing protection! I SAID...

Yeah, Indy is awesome. If you get cheap bleacher seats, consider bringing a camp chair in case you prefer sitting near the braking zone of some of the infield corners. I've attended for 4 years running and I sit high in the bleachers at turn 1 where the speed is highest and I have a great view of turns 2 - 4. Also, I get a view of the jumbotron TV thing, so I can hear the announcer and see the other parts of the track.

Oh, and don't forget to get at least one pork tenderloin sandwich! The track fries suck though. Bring a cooler with cans of your favorite beverage; glass containers are not allowed.

- John