Attending Moto GP at Laguna Seca questions

[Satguy]

This question(s) is for those who have been to the Moto GP a time or two. I'm considering going to the Moto GP at Laguna Seca in July. This would be a "standby" kind of trip dependent on work schedules and other stuff.

 

Can you purchase tickets as a walk up customer or is that a crazy idea? There are a staggering number of packages here

 

What is the best bang for the buck ticket purchase package in your opinion? Remember, I have never been to the Moto GP before.

 

Any ideas would be appreciated.

[sgendler]

I've never done the whole motoGP thing, but I know I'd rather sit at Turn 4 than Turn 11, just based on the layout of the track.

[lvmyks]

I have done Moto GP in Calif. Purchase seating in turn 4? (it has a big screen) you can see the race. You can get up and roam the complete track. You will like taking time and watching them come down the Cork-Screw. I had tickets, I entered (direction?) and rode on Ft.Ord property right to motorcycle parking in a very large field. Getting out was a good after the days race. Get the Pit Pass, you get right up to all the bikes and see what is going on. Purchase your Hats/T-shirts late in the day so you don't have to carry them around. Food and Drink run big bucks, take cash.....

[russell_bynum]

This question(s) is for those who have been to the Moto GP a time or two. I'm considering going to the Moto GP at Laguna Seca in July. This would be a "standby" kind of trip dependent on work schedules and other stuff.

 

Can you purchase tickets as a walk up customer or is that a crazy idea? There are a staggering number of packages here

 

What is the best bang for the buck ticket purchase package in your opinion? Remember, I have never been to the Moto GP before.

 

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

You may be able to buy tickets at the event, depending on attendance, but it's probably a better idea to buy ahead of time. You can always resell them if things don't work out.

 

The problem with sitting in any one area (grandstand seating) is you can only see that part of the track. T11 often has some great braking duels, but you can pretty much only see T11.

 

IMO, the best value is the three-day general admission package with pit pass. Take Friday to walk around the whole track and watch the various practice sessions from different vantage points. The corkscrew has to be seen in person to be believed.

 

We watched the 2005 race from the hill between T1 and T2 and that was pretty cool with the bikes screaming over the blind T1 and then braking into T2. You could see T1 (sort of), T2,3,4,5 (sort of) and then you could see as the bikes would come out of T9 into T10.

 

2006 and 2007 we took our EZ-up canopy, coolers, and chairs, and setup on the hill over the T4-T5 straight. We were high enough that you could turn around and catch a glimpse of bikes on the Rahal straight, and then you'd see them coming down the bottom of T9 all the way to T11. Then you'd lose them due to the pit garages on the front straight and pick them up again out of T1 into T2. You could see T2-5(the first half of T5, anyway). But we were farther away...it wasn't like sitting literally against the fence before T2 like 2005. You could see more, but not see any of it as well.

 

Sometimes I think it would be fun to watch a whole race from the corkscrew...which is probably as close as you can get to the bikes/track. And that's where the riders usually show off, do burnouts, etc. That's where Rossi does his insane little victory celebrations. But you literally can only see that one turn from there.

 

And that really gets to the main issue...for me...you don't go to races to watch the race. You get better coverage on TV. The point of being there is to hear (or feel in the case of the GP bikes) the bikes, see just how steep the drop at the corkscrew is, see the bikes and riders up close in the pits, etc.

 

BTW, take a small AM radio with earplug speakers so you can hear the commentators. Otherwise, you won't know WTF is going on most of the time.

[ericfoerster]

+1 on the pit pass.....MUST HAVE!

 

As far seating you can pretty much get to all the turns once inside.

 

It is a great event and Laguna is an awesome place to see one. It was my first and only GP and I've wanted to go back year after year. I WILL go back to Laguna because of the great time I had there.

 

I did not get out the parking area very well at the end, but there is a story behind that!

 

Just be sure to pull for Rossi while there. It is crucial to having a good time (Ducati Fans need not apply).

[russell_bynum]

I have done Moto GP in Calif. Purchase seating in turn 4? (it has a big screen) you can see the race. You can get up and roam the complete track. You will like taking time and watching them come down the Cork-Screw. I had tickets, I entered (direction?) and rode on Ft.Ord property right to motorcycle parking in a very large field. Getting out was a good after the days race. Get the Pit Pass, you get right up to all the bikes and see what is going on. Purchase your Hats/T-shirts late in the day so you don't have to carry them around. Food and Drink run big bucks, take cash.....

 

Good point about the TV on the straight between T4 and T5. WE could see it from up on the hill and that's how we kept track of the action on the parts of the track we couldn't see.

 

We've driven twice (2006, 2007) and honestly...getting in and out wasn't a big deal. We rode in 2005, but took the shuttle from Carmel into the track and that was fine as well. Riding to the track you get good parking and you can lane-split past everyone. But you're more limited in what you can carry, of course.

[90%angel]

I'm not sure about the last minute availability of tickets; the years we went (05-07), it was very popular and sold out quickly (especially if you are interested in seats/hospitality, and paddock passes). However, since it's been back in the US a while and now there are two US locations with Indy, I think the popularity of Laguna has waned a bit, and it's probably easier to get tickets last minute (and there's probably always a last minute ticket available on ebay if you are willing to pay for it).

 

I recommend at least two days if you haven't been before. That way, you can see qualifying, which is pretty cool, as well as the race. We usually sit at the corkscrew for qualifying (totally worth the climb up the hill!!). It's an awesome turn to watch, and the riders will do some "showboating" over there for the fans after the session is over. GREAT photo opps there. That said, it is really hard to get a seat there come race day, and you are stuck watching that one turn only, so for the race, we usually sat up the hill a ways so we can see turns 3, 4 and 5. and in the distance you can see turn 2, and you can sort of glimpse them coming up the hill setting up for the corkscrew behind you.

 

If you don't go for the seat/hospitality options, I definitely recommend an ez up and some lawn chairs, and set up "camp" somewhere early in the AM to save your spot. Spring for the paddock pass and use down time between races or practices to go wander around and see what racers you can meet. They are usually all very nice. Rossi is the hardest one to meet; his garage area is always packed, but I've met most of the rest of the others. If that's not your thing, there are pavilions with bikes set up, merchandise for purchase, vendors of all sorts, etc. to fill the time.

 

I think it is totally worth it to go to a GP race at least once in your life. That said, I might advise to wait until they go back to the 990s; they sounded SOOOOOO much cooler than the 800s (but the 800s are still pretty cool).

 

Having looked at the hospitality options in the link your provided, I agree with Sam, go for turn 4 if you go for seating, and if you can spring for it, do the hospitality option so you get the closed circuit TVs with race data, food/beverage, and a place to cool off and get out of the sun. If you don't go for hospitality, I'm not sure just the grandstand seat is worth it; they are in the sun, and you can see more from up on the hill a ways (and you can have an ez up over you!).

 

Oh, one last recommendation (if you don't go for the hospitality option); bring a little cheap radio and earplug speakers so you can tune in and hear the race commentary during the race. You won't be able to hear it over the loudspeakers!

 

[upflying]

I haven't been to Laguna Seca since the mid-70's. I mostly hiked around the east side around turns 8-9 and just stood for a while and moved on. Restricted to a grandstand isn't appealing at a road course unless you like to sit. Lot's of good views all around the track. Bring a hat, sun screen, day pack, telephoto lenses, layered clothing and water.

[JerryMather]

 

Just buy a ticket to get in on the day you show up, it won't sell out.

Walk around the track until you find a spot you like and enjoy. Might want to bring a backpack full of eats and sunscreen. A folding chair works too.

 

 

[mbelectric]

Friday is my favorite day at Laguna. Crowds are manageable, and traffic light.

 

Do NOT expect to park your bike on pavement at the track. Since MotoGP arrived with the crowds, you'll park your bike on a dirt hillside well away from the track. Better off parking at Fort Ord and taking the shuttle bus in. You can park a car or bike there free. Bus takes about 15 mins to get to the track and drops you off near the main straight crossover bridge.

 

After the event Friday and Saturday head for Cannery Row in Monterey. They shut the street down after a couple 300 bikes have parked there, and the party begins.

 

Get your tix in advance, unless you plan to get only Gen Admission for Fri or Sat.

 

Have fun

 

MB>

[notacop]

Couple years ago I had a free bee to the Red Bull Pavilion and ended up on the hill with the corkscrew behind us. Great view of a bit of the track and I could see the big screen below us. Saw Stoner run wide and fall down. Wonderful! Rossi won, yay!

Never made it to the pavillion but had a wunnerful time regaling in my compadres enthusiasm.

What a hoot, watching the riders from near the top of the hill and seeing the under side of the bikes as they heeled over...priceless.

It's a real zoo but worth it once. I even had a free room at a friends housse near by.

I've got an old poster from a GP held at Willow Springs, probably in the 70's. Tickets were only $2.50 for the Sunday race.

[Satguy]

Thank You very much for all the great information.

 

Sounds like I can show up an at least get Gen. admission tix. and then enjoy the zoo that is Moto GP!