When I checked last year, there were about 2 or 3 non-school track days listed at Laguna. Most were on odd dates, like December 23rd. I do remember that access on the track is VERY limited, and that stock exhaust is a must. I really wish for the good of the sport that the county would sell the track to a private management firm. I think the only reason the county/voters want to keep it is to regulate its activity. You would think that a track next to an artilery range (although closed) would not be a subject for noise issues. I guess it all has to do with land speculation, and I'm sure lots of politicians have their hands in the old army base real estate. I'm sure there's huge development plans underway and it'll be tough to market your new 5+ million dollar home near a race track. I'm sure if it was managed right, that facility could bring in 10 times the money it brings in now for the county.
Rich, You’re correct on the letter, Chi, I believe it is. Miller very well may get a MotoGP. It still needs upgrades to amenities. If people will drive to Laguna Seca then they will drive to MMP. RA may make a play for MotoGP in the future too. Per how to handle a high speed straight, I like Road Americas and Brainerd’s answers, a very fast top gear turn. This is Brainerd's map and run clock-wise. If you haven’t read this already, MM’s take on Infineon (Sears Point), http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/May/070524-66.htm“Infineon this past weekend showed we are back in the game. It is the most physical track we go to and also requires a solid set up to go fast. For me, Infineon is draining. From a mental standpoint it requires high concentration. There are no areas where you can take a deep breath and get a mini break. It's just corner after corner. From a physical standpoint you have to be all over the bike to go fast there. There are a few places on that track that I actually stand on the pegs with my butt four inches off the seat and my head buried into the screen. It's also a place where I slip the clutch like a motocross bike constantly. It reminds me of my old motocross days actually. I always think to myself that if my quads are not on fire after the race, I haven't worked it hard enough.†Lack of professionalism by SCRAMP. Pumping out the port-a-johns during the race and literally stinking up the place. REALLY!!! NO KIDDING!!! Who thinks up these brain dead ideas and schedules????
There's WAY more people living within driving distance of Laguna than Salt Lake City. Once you leave SLC, that's it till Vegas or Denver. California has the population desity, income level and motorcycle fan base to easily support the event. Road Atlanta would be interesting, but that place needs some serious safety improvements to handle the GP bikes. No way is FIM gonna allow any of current walls. It is a tru eroad course with some interesting features and character. I don't know much about the facilities, but i'm sure more garages are order. Also keep in mind that Italy is shooting for a thrid event in 08, and they have the tracks and fanbase already in place.
When it comes to MotoGP people will travel from across the globe (as long as they don't have to tolerate the stupid traffic at Laguna Seca a second time), so driving distance and population density don't mean a thing. I drove to the '05 MotoGP and back again. It was a pleasing experience, getting to see parts of our country and all that. The parts I liked the best were those that are least populated. The midnight sky in NV (as far from Vegas as possible) reminds me of what it was like at home (my parents) when I was a wee child, the near black sky part at least. Also, RA = Road America, aka Elkart Lake. MotoGP and WSBK would never be found at Road Atlanta with all the concrete walls that abound. Lastly, Elkart Lake very likely has the best hospitality, or should I say most interesting hospitality, in the local area surrounding the track than any other which the AMA attends.
Hello Walt, People will travel from all parts of the globe, but not enough people. Races still need a large number of the local population to attend to make the numbers work. This is the problem with races like Turkey and China. It was good to see you at again at Summit, even if it was briefly.
Mike, I agree. MMP in the Salt Lake, UT region is with in a day's drive by car from most (if not all) of California. [P.S. 12 hours is a bit long but not too bad with 2 drivers] Salt Lake City may not be motorcycle crazy but there's a decent population in that vacinity too. For me I'd like to see MotoGP and WSBK show up at Road America (like I said before). I'm guessing the chance of a rain race at MMP is close to 0%? Mike I'm sorry about your bike but at least its only a cracked muffler. See you next time. Of possible interest, on my way home from the 2005 MotoGP race I saw quite a few sportbikers on the road in NV with full leathers. The weather at that time was 95°F and I saw most of them around lunch time just off highway 6 or 93 at what was the only gas station and restaurant with in view. From the roof of the RV I could probably see 75 miles and some of the mountains were snow capped to boot. Pretty funny making a snow ball on July 11th.
My .02 worth. Laguna is going to lose Moto GP after it goes sideways again this year. Tony George has the cash and facility to get it, IF he wants it and can get a favorable deal. He is a business man first, enthusiast second. Only problem is that Indy holds about 300,000 fans and with a small moto GP crowd of 150,000 it'll be half empty and look deserted on TV. Road America is in the hunt for a World SBK round as is Barber. Miller is just to far away from eveything and has zero inrastructure locally. SLC is a WINTER destination. Nice track but that's here it ends.
The 150K figure is for all three days. Actual figures for Sunday (the big day) was more like 51,000. Jerez in 2006 had over 120,000 on race Sunday. And keep in mind that Spain has two other GPs, and another dozen with an hour's plain ride. I really wish the news folks would get their numbers straight on attendence for Laguna. Those numbers are very misleading. If Sunny, bike happy, over populated, high income California can only draw 51K on race day, what's hole in the wall Elkart Lake gonna pull? If Laguna looses MotoGP, it'll be because of the track/facilities relating to the teams. Considering what fans deal with entering/leaving a MotoGP event in Europe, I don't think Dorma is going to be too sympathetic to the complains in the US. Not to defend SCRAMP, but I don't understand how everyone thought it would be easy to get in and out of the facilty with only two one-lane roads. Has anyone tried to leave Giants Stadium after a football game? How about the old Vet Stadium in Philly after a major concert of 100K people? Both of those areas have major Interstates feeding out of the facilities, and no-one goes anywhere for hours. Sure it could have been better at Laguna, but let's get real with our expectations. And when did STT have an event at Laguna? Was this pre-MotoGP when the artilery base was still active? Any chance of future dates at that track?
2004 and 2005. With all of the PITA rules and restrictions we told them they could have the date back for someone else to use. In 2005, one rider missed the meatball for a sound violation and the "worker who thought he was in charge" said he was going to red flag the session and cancel our entire event. It just isn't worth the hassle, the place isn't that cool to ride on. Great location, decent track, difficult people to deal with ads up to a venue I'd rather skip as a business owner.
Hey Monte, any inside word on new tracks in the NorthEast? I keep hearing about this Richmond track, but i can't find anything on Google? Any online info? This lack of dates in July and August really sucks in the NorthEast. Not that Pocono really makes up for it. Why couldn't they make BeaveRun closer to Harrisburg to make us all happy? You Mid-West guys already have enough tracks around Ohio. :evil:
Yup, not many dates for us northeasterners in July/August. Any chance of getting more Summit Point MAIN dates next season during those months?
there was one offered to us, tied in w/ the jefferson dates on the preceding Friday. so far, only three people have expressed interest, so I imagine it's a no-go.
UPDATE!!! they've broken ground: it looks a little flat, but 45 minutes away, is 45 minutes away!!! Woot! Lance
Re: UPDATE!!! Looks perfect for flat-trackking and the piles in the fore ground would be perfect for a dirt bike!
That's interesting. i thought the two tracks were connected. Kind of like them being separated, assuming that they're long enough. Lightning course looks like you'll wear out one side of your tires pretty quickly. Cart track looks cool, but NOT a cool location! Not only would there me some minor run-off issues, but if the outer track is hot, you can't get to the cart track. Plus, it's distracting for both to have vehicles running along side each other in an event. Shame that Thunderbolt isn't being built first. Looks lot more interesting. Run-off on that interior loop is a bit scary, but it's hard to judge from a preliminary diagram.