I just got an e-mail today from IMS, and it's official! MOTOGP will be back in Indy :shock: next year on September(2008) for the Redbull Indianapolis GP!!! Man Im so there!!! Tickets now on sale!!! Simon
Has Anyone seen the actual layout? Can I get a big WTF are they thinking? http://www.redbullindianapolisgp.com/news/story.php?story_id=9470 Looks like the crap combo they do for pocono and Daytona. Those who have ridden the FUSA track at Pocono know what it's like to transition from infield to the oval part. Can't imagine what it'll be like on a GP bike. If the riders don't like Laguna, they sure as Hell aren't going to go for this. Turns 16 and 1 have very little run off, and check out turn 9 in particular :shock: Turn 3 and 4 looks like the 1st. gear bus stop in China. Uggg. On the positive side, the facility looks absolutely huge. Here's a good relationship map that someone drew up: http://www.indy500.com/trackmap/flashmap.html I would think they could construct a completely separate road course in the middle of the 500 track. Maybe even put in a elevation change or two.
Fastlaneduc- I just ordered my tickets as well. I began calling a few hotels and was told it was too far out to book. Just curious where you booked your room at.
Bestwestern 4450 Southport Crossing Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46237-3697 Phone: 317-888-5588 Fax: 317-888-2553 Welcome to Best Western Indianapolis South! This Indianapolis hotel is located 12 miles from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Have you actually gotten your approval on the tickets yet? We filled out the application last Saturday and have yet to hear anything from them? I got an email saying they received my request, but that's it. Just not wanting to miss out.
That's all I got so far. Just the e-mail stating that they received my request and provided a summary of application. I would sure like to think that by giving them 4 seat choices and a credit card number that I will in fact get my tickets.
What I wonder is how much the Indy MotoGP race will hurt the Laguna Seca MotoGP race attendance. That is, I can't imagine people wanting to go to CA from the east coast only to sit in the parking lot for 5-6 hours to leave after the racing is over. What were they thinking? Likely, T1 eliminates the concrete wall in the fastest part of the track and allows a place to a gravel trap. The T2, T3 and T4 configuration slows bikes to the point where the concrete wall shouldn’t be an issue on the outside of T4, hopefully the same is true with T5. Don’t forget that the Indy oval has an inside paved area separated by grass from the racing surface for pit in and pit out which covers all the turns on the oval. No doubt part of this room will be used for T1 and T5. From the photos they are going to have to pull up a good amount of Armco in the T1 area.
Personally, I can't see why anyone would travel far to Indy. Once you leave the race, then what? Check out the strip malls and big box stores? Forget about anyone flying over from outside the country. When people from Europe think of America, it's California, Las Vegas and Florida that come to mind. I guess there's the Indy/F1 fan base that might dig the history, but those guys would come for the 500, not MotoGP. 5-6 hours to leave Laguna? Hum, only took us two. Better than any concert or sporting event that I've been to. The few times I took the bus went really well. I do hope it takes some of the pressure off of Monterey in that the hotel prices become more reasonable. And way too many people are allowed in the paddock, to the point where AMA guys couldn't get their bikes to the grid.
Hummm, bets on attendance? That would be interesting. But I think you hit the head on major point, if the event runs at all. The final layout needs to get FIM or Dorma approval, and past events have been caned, despite pre-ticket sales and promotion. But let's give the almighty Red Bull dollar some credit and say that it happens. Indy will have one major advantage over Laguna: 2-strokes. That alone had me almost throwing my credit card at anyone promising a ticket and hotel! AMA superbike is OK as a support class, but it's the exotic draw of the GP machines that people want to see. As far as airports, Monterey was doing a pretty good job of getting private jets in an out. I got to fly in there via Delta last year, small airports rule!! No lines, minimal security, good coffee shop, bus and taxi service, can't ask for anything more. Kind of the anti-Newark airport ;-) Downtown Indy vs. Montery? Well, haven't been to Indy, but man, Monterey has got to be one of the most beautiful small cities I've seen in the US. Great food, coffee, ocean views, perfect weather, TONS of exotic bikes, rolling hills, clean, and NO FRANCHISES! SCRAMP did finally get their act together with the crowd control this year, but I'm sure Indy will do a better job. Just plain logistics on that one, and experience. SCRAMP's biggest problem is that it is a county government organization. Too much politics involved. They also have like 5 different police organizations on route to the track, which creates all sorts of red tape. A direct highway would be nice, but would ruin the hills that surround the park (yes, Laguna Seca is more than just a race track, but a huge county park) As cool as having two GPs in the US, it's a shame that Turkey was put on the chopping block as a result. I'm sure that had to do more with the new management, but that was a kick-ass track that the riders and staff loved. Can't believe China didn't get get cut instead. Just my 2 cents.
Indy also has their racing museum on the grounds and for a whopping $3, it used to be $1, you can tour the whole museum. Perhaps some in the motorcycle business will think ahead to convince the museum to add a motorcycle section for the time spanning the race? Not to mention there is a lot of history in the area and many other things to do which closed minded people won't find. Me, I'd rather have the country than the city. In the area around Indy you can find virtually anything you'd like to do. you can begin your search here: http://www.indy.org/
Any of you attended an event at IMS before? Just trying to figure out the best transportation option from downtown (car or public trans). Is it worth it to pay for parking in advance?
The Indy GP was my first ever GP... the whole weekend was a dream. If you have never gone before, find a group who is going and who has a group rate at a nearby hotel to save $. It's worth it & I'll see ya there next year!