anyone go to laguna seca MotoGP last year?

[tshort]

I'm thinking about heading out there this year, and was wondering how hard it will be to get tix.  Went online yesterday and they were still showing gen adm available.  Is GA the way to go?  Do they sell out?  Can you ride your bike around in the infield or outside to change viewing area? Is it good viewing?  Lots of questions, I know - just trying to get a bead on what to expect.

Thanks.

[rfoan27]

If I were you purchase your ticket now before they sell out...  I heard it was assigned seating, don't know how true never been there, always watched from home.  Info came from AMA source.

[tshort]

Maybe it was last year - this year they appear to be offering GA:

http://www.laguna-seca.com/Tickets/index.cfm?Fuseaction=ViewTickets&EventID=12////

[LMsports]

We have four tickets from last year that we didn't use...

[OmniGLH]

I'm pretty sure that the tix I had were GA.  My buddy bought 'em, I just paid him back.  But we definitely didn't have any sort of assigned seat.  Those must be for the grandstand seats - and personally, I'd rather just have GA anyways.

I don't remember if many people were using their motorcycles to cruise around the spectator areas or not.  They might have been.  But it's so hilly and dusty, you wouldn't get very far if you could.  It's not like viewing at RA.  

I'm planning on going again this year... just waiting to get final word on a job in Seattle before I book anything.  Last year was totally awesome and well worth the trip.

[mdr14]

I mean Moto Gp was cool and all hanging out in the Parts Unlimited Hospitality Suite,
But Its just Not that cool... I am glad I did it once for sure, and during the first one before all the locals think MOTO GP Is a Cash COW and start milking everyone.

The traffic sucks..
Seriously, It is better off hanging out for a couple of hours to let the traffic thin out as opposed to rushing out and taking several hours to go anywhere trapped in your car.

The prices suck.

The food is kick butt though.

You will do a lot of walking. One day I had to park TWO MOUNTAINS.. Yes , I did not misprint two whole mountains away. The final day I said I was late for practice or some bullcrap like that and hustled my way into the VP parking lot. Mucho Closer!!

Take the money you would spend and go to a European round. Bout the same price too.

[G 97]

I mean Moto Gp was cool and all hanging out in the Parts Unlimited Hospitality Suite,
But Its just Not that cool... I am glad I did it once for sure, and during the first one before all the locals think MOTO GP Is a Cash COW and start milking everyone.

The traffic sucks..
Seriously, It is better off hanging out for a couple of hours to let the traffic thin out as opposed to rushing out and taking several hours to go anywhere trapped in your car.

The prices suck.

The food is kick butt though.

You will do a lot of walking. One day I had to park TWO MOUNTAINS.. Yes , I did not misprint two whole mountains away. The final day I said I was late for practice or some bullcrap like that and hustled my way into the VP parking lot. Mucho Closer!!

Take the money you would spend and go to a European round. Bout the same price too.

Parking? Traffic? Why I have no idea what you are referring to.  ;D

[EX_#76]

I bought tickets before I went to Laguna because I was afraid that they would sell out.  They did not even ask me to look at the ticket before I entered!!!  What you need to do is find lodging NOW.  We had to stay in Santa Cruz, which about 1 hr from the track.  The traffic was bumper to bumper and stopped for 20min intervals 10 miles from the track.  We were in the parking lot walking to the track as the motogp bikes were on their preview lap.

My advice, find a place to stay very close to the track, or rent a motorcycle.  Bikes can split lanes and can drive on the shoulder legally there.  It was also ok for the bikes to drive up the shoulder at the entrance road to the track.  Find out some details on lane splitting laws.  I saw 3 people get pulled over at the track.  At the time I knew what they did wrong, but I have killed that cell, and can't recall it.  All of the cars sat and watched the bikes ride right into the track.  The track has tons of parking on pavement close to the track entrance for bikes only.


If you go to the area make sure to Philpa to the Santa Cruz area and go wine tasting!!!  The wine was Awesome there!!! And the tasting is free!!!!
sat and watched the bikes ride right into the track.

[stephenr928]

Tom,
I went last year.  It was great.
Although we got the 3-day general admission to get in, we were only able to get grand stand seating for Saturday only (main grandstands), cause they were sold out.  So I figured we'd walk around alot on Friday, & scope out a good seat on a hill for Sunday.
Our group consisted of my wife & I in our RV (packed with both of our street bikes & towing our car) and some friends in a van.  My wife & I stayed at an RV park at the Navy PG School golf course, while my buddies camped at the track.  Their camping deal included a pass for a 'support vehicle', which is what we used my Accord for....Bringing em' food & ice & beer!  (Plus taking them back to our campground for showers & relaxation!)
Then a bunch of friends rode out on Bikes, half staying with us in the RV & half camping at the track.  Things got kinda crazy, but very fun!

Now for some information:
-Bring earplugs!
-Plan on doing a lot of walking.  Even on Firday when things were not busy, the track lay out requires you to park & walk to the vantage points.  (Although Thursday you can walk everywhere!  Pits, paddock, track, into Rossi's RV, etc.)
-Bring earplugs.  Seriously.  (I've been to GP races in Europe during the 500cc days, and I had no idea about how loud it was going to be.  Oh sure, I had heard the stories about 'how loud' the bikes were.  I had no clue!)
-We got 'camping arm bands', so we could access the campgrounds & park our bikes at our friends campsite.  By Saturday, there was no way you could easily get in or out with a car during the day.  But in the evenings/nighttime, you could get in or out with cars(duh).
-If you can't access the super-sweet vip parking or have access to the camp grounds for parking....Plan on walking.
-Bring earplugs & plan to walk!
-Despite the track selling out grandstand seating online prior to the event, when we got the grandstands on Saturday it turns out they were not sold out & the track was selling seats for Sunday, no problem & no mark-up, either!  We bought (amazing) seats...On the front row for the start.  We could see the last turn, pit row, the main staight to the bridge, watch the jumbo-tron & of course were able to watch the podium!
-If you are on the main straight for the start of the race, consider double hearing protection!  (I used to work on the ramp for Alaska Airlines, and the start of the GP was louder than airstarting a 737 from 20 feet away.  It was louder than an F-18 flying close air-support directly overhead.  It was louder than any rock concert I've ever been to.  It was louder than being directly under an AV-8B Harrier on slow approach.  It was the loudest event in my life.)
-If you camp at the track, plan on getting dusty.
-There is very good viewing around the track.  But plan to arrive at the good spots early with a book & some magazines.  Or better yet, pack a low-to-the-ground folding beach chair.  That way you'll be ultra-comfy!  (Heck, pack an easy-up & bring a cooler!)
-Did I mention earplugs?

Have fun!

    

[stephenr928]

Paved bike parking next to track was VIP parking.  I do not know how to get those arm bands.
It was sweet riding the bikes into the track.....Just make sure you're not first in the line of bikes when riding on the double yellow line or on the shoulder.  I saw a couple bikes pulled over, but for what I've no idea.  Heck, we were breaking the law as we drove past the cops!  (But we were riding slowly!)

[steelcityracer]

You can get a lot of good viewing with general admission.  I believe all reserved seating is sold out, but many ticket packages will be available on ebay closer to the event.  

It was a great experience.  One of the funnest events I have been to, ranking up there with the Superbowl, and AFC championship games.

Most of the close hotels are sold out, and if they arent, they are charging at least three times the normal rate.

You may be able to purchase package ticket and hotel deals on ebay, but they will be expensive.

I got one of the hospitality packages last year, called flagroom, which included good seats, and all of the food, beer, red bull, and bottled water that you could comsume.  Needless to say I got my moneys worth out it.

With Nicky leading the race from start to finish, most of the 50, 000 were cheering the entire race.

[OmniGLH]

Parking? Traffic? Why I have no idea what you are referring to.  ;D

I forgot all about that.

We stayed in Santa Cruz, normally 45min-1hr away.  It took us over 4 hours to get into the track on Sunday morning.

I'd still go again (and probably will this year.)  I'd love to hit an international round... and just might do that, too (Spain perhaps?)  Depends on vacation time, who I'm working for, and how expensive airline tickets will be.

Here's a few pics from last year.  You can get an idea of the kind of roads you're on to get into the track - complete with a tour through an abandoned Army base.

http://www.e-owned.com/thumbnails.php?album=81