The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => Ride Reports and Event Reviews => Topic started by: msbuck on September 07, 2008, 01:46:27 PM

Title: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: msbuck on September 07, 2008, 01:46:27 PM: ;D (https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2Fyahoo.gif&hash=2dce6846e38a2794f3cc426dc6a47ca95150263b) I can't wait!! We're headed out Wednesday am to Indianapolis for the MotoGp races there next weekend. Not sure what to expect, but it should be a blast. Can't wait to see Rossi in person! I've seen Nicky and the Americans in person before (back in their AMA days), but this racing should be phenomenal. There's also a flat track race on Saturday night. Anyone else headed that way?

Rob, any advice on navigating my way around the city? We're staying on the east side of town (I70 and I465?) and I know the Speedway is on the west side of town and the Fairgrounds (for the flat track) is sort of on the north side. I had fun using Google street view to 'drive' from our motel to the Speedway. That is one cool feature!
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: montmil on September 07, 2008, 05:36:34 PM: msbuck,

Please help Casey Stoner keep his Ducati on the track! Rossi has it in the bag but the Aussie is also a hoot to watch especially with the rapid Pedrosa just two points behind.

Be safe. We'll need photos... the flat track, too.

Monte
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: NC Steve on September 07, 2008, 06:26:29 PM: Aida, from talking to the folks at Willville this weekend, it sounded like a fair number were planning to get to Indy this year too, including at least a handful of the TVR boys.
I know there's some discussion of it on their site, so you might want to poke around http://twinvalleyriders.com/forum/index.php a bit to see what you can see.

Good luck, be safe, and y'all have fun now, y'hear? [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: msbuck on September 08, 2008, 09:34:44 AM: Thanks for the link, Steve. I followed another link inside the thread I found and came up with a great website on Indy with lots of great information! I'm packing today! It turns out we're staying at the hotel that's the Race Headquarters for the flat track guys. Cool! 8-)

EEEE!!! CAN"T WAIT!!! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 08, 2008, 08:30:58 PM: No, no advice. There is no bad construction between the east side and the track, except for a short piece of 16th street between Martin Luther King Blvd. and Stadium Drive (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=39.788126,-86.174741&spn=0.021402,0.038624&z=15), if you go that way. It really isn't very pleasant (I work near there), but it is the most direct route, and the one that the signage points to. That is exit 113 off of I65 north.

A good alternative would be to stay on I65 northbound to exit 115, which is 29th St (1-way east) and 30th St (1-way west).
Just stay on 30th until Georgetown Rd, and turn south at Georgetown (if they allow left turns there at race time).

A sub-alternative would be to take 30th west to Kessler Blvd, and turn left there (south), go down to 16th, and turn right, and then the track will be on your right as you approach it.

Our new BMW dealer is on 16th street just east of Kessler. http://rfalconepowersports.com/Default.asp

I have my name in the hat for a free ticket to practice on Saturday, here at work. That is the only plans I have.
I'm glad you guys are making it!

The State Fair Grounds

Here is a map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=indiana+state+fair+grounds&ie=UTF8&ll=39.825498,-86.137025&spn=0.085561,0.154495&z=13) that shows the location of the fairgrounds.
From the east side, take I70 west to the Keystone Ave. exit. At the bottom of the ramp, Keystone goes north, and Rural St. goes south. You want to turn north. go north to 38th St., and turn left (west). Get in the right lane. Cross Fall Creek, and turn right onto Fall Creek Blvd. Get in the left lane, as the main entrance to the fair grounds will be on your left.

This can be a very dangerous neighborhood, everywhere between the interstate and the fairgrounds. Be aware, especially if you are leaving after dark. No doubt there will be a conspicuous police presence.
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: msbuck on September 08, 2008, 09:42:13 PM: Thanks for the tips, Rob. I had done the Google map thing to find locations, driving, etc but it's nice to know the little extras. You know, neighborhood characteristics, alternate routes, construction work. Hadn't even thought about the local dealer. That may be worth checking out as well (I've found a cache or two that might even make our schedule.)

You know they are selling single entry tickets for Friday and Saturday, right? Pretty reasonable prices, too. I think $10 for Friday, $20 for Saturday. So if you don't win the drawing, maybe you can make it for the day anyway! I'll keep an eye out for you, just in case. We hope/plan to park in the infield at this point and wander around infield at least for the first couple of days. That way we can figure out the best spots to be for the race. Looks like Indy is really gearing up for all us gearheads with lots of activities all around the city. One more day and we're on our way!!!
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 10, 2008, 05:30:00 PM: Well, I am going out to the track on Saturday for practice and qualifying, courtesy of my employer, Veolia Water, NA.
Two tickets for the Veolia suite, 10am-5pm, lunch included!

I am taking my nephew with me. He has a functional Suzuki 750 of the GSXr variation - year unknown. He is quite excited!

I have Aida's phone number, so maybe we will meet up out there Saturday. We might still get together after the race on Sunday, as their motel is just a few miles from my house.
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: msbuck on September 10, 2008, 09:17:57 PM: Yea Rob! We've made it as far as Richmond, IN tonight. Headed to the track in the morning. Congrats on scoring the tickets to the suite! How "suite" it is!!! :D Have fun and maybe we'll run into you - only if you leave the comfort of that nice viewing area to join the peons out in the grandstands (or most likely the infield.)

Looking forward to meeting up on Sunday as well.
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 11, 2008, 09:52:08 PM: They moto-scenery on the streets of Indianapolis certainly has livened up, lately! ;D
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 12, 2008, 09:09:35 PM: Well I wake up today, and as I am getting ready for work, the phone rings. It is my landlord, Jimbo, who works for the local big-time rock station. He wants to know if I want his weekend passes, including to the race!

Well, duh...

My nephew said it was no problem for him, he could open up Sunday, as well!
In fact Mitch made the comment that he hoped it would continue raining, because he wanted to see them race in the rain! (he is young and crazy, you know. I am older and my crazyness has tempered somewhat).

So Aïda & Graham, look for me on Sunday, at the track, as well!
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Melena on September 12, 2008, 09:59:45 PM: Great Rob! [smiley=thumbsup.gif] How cool! 8-)

We want a good commentary on these races next week!
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 12, 2008, 10:36:37 PM: Seeing a lot of bikes in town, and the ratio of sport bikes to cruiser bikes has flip-flopped! :D

I felt sorry for the folks I saw on my way to work this afternoon, though. The rain was coming down hard. Hard enough that I had trouble seeing, and I was in my car!

Melena, look to Aïda for that race report. She is REALLY pumped about this stuff!!! I talked to her and Graham on the phone last night at their hotel. It was good to talk to them again!

I will tell you about what happens to me! [smiley=Norton.gif]
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 16, 2008, 12:08:44 AM: O.K., I went out on Saturday for practice and qualifying. It was perfect weather, if a little warm. There was a good pre-hurricane breeze, though.

We saw fast, loud bikes having fun on a nice, big track - everyone going the same direction with no cross traffic... I may just give up street riding and move to the track!

but I really didn't have that much fun, and I told my nephew that he could have both tickets for Sunday's race. He was thrilled. I was thrilled that I wouldn't be going back out there. I really don't care for big places full of people.
As it was, I missed out on a monsoon, as was reported elsewhere, with the MotoGP race being red-flagged just a few laps from the end.

Sunday evening I met Aïda and Graham for dinner. Afterwards we hunted down a geocache hiding outside the restaurant, and then headed over to their hotel, where we hung out in the lobby in some comfy chairs and had a good time visiting and logging our "finds" on the geocaching site! It appears that they had a great 5 days of Indy Moto GP, despite the rain.
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: msbuck on September 16, 2008, 10:34:39 AM: We made it home late last night after a LONG days ride. We saw lots of downed power lines, trees down all the way through Ohio. It's hard to believe those motorcycles actually RACED as the remnants of Hurricane Ike hit the track. If they had tried to schedule it for the peak of the hurricane weather, they couldn't have done a better job! It almost blew us away off the top of the spectator mounds we were attempting to view the race from. They were racing in 40mph sustained winds with 60 mph gusts and rain!!! :o

We really had a fantastic full four days at the race track!!! ;D I got to ask Valentino Rossi a question during the Q&A session on Thursday and did the pitwalk to see the inner workings of the race teams. Thursday evening we watched James Toseland give a concert with members of the Symphony. He can really tickle the keys of a piano. It was all so amazing! Then we had rain on Friday for the practice sessions, but it was fun nevertheless. We explored lots of the track to find out just where to hang out for the races. Saturday brought sunshine and some greatly raised speeds for the bikes on track. I'm glad there was at least one day that was great for the bikes on the track to see what they could really do. Then of course on Sunday, the hurricane came through just in time for the MotoGP race. It was a real adventure!

Dinner with Rob on Sunday evening was a wonderful end to a fabulous trip. We had a nice long visit before we turned in to get rested up for the long trek back to NC.

I'm back in the dark ages with my camera and have to take the FILM in to be developed before I can post any pictures...
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Justin B. on September 16, 2008, 04:53:02 PM: Film? :o
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: msbuck on September 16, 2008, 06:30:51 PM: Ok, the FILM :o was dropped off, but the machine was broke :'( so i have to wait until tomorrow to get pictures back.

So, mrbuck posted this recap off to a friend of his and I thought I would share his insights. He's a much better story teller than I am...

"We, believe it or not, had reasonably good weather at Indy. Thurs. was a beautiful day, Fri. a few rain showers followed by immediate sunshine, Sat. we got almost blistered by the sun!, Sun. started overcast and got progressively worst after noon.
By the time the main even for the MotoGP started at 3:00 there was some light rain but they raced anyway. The Europeans are not the wuzzies that the NASCAR and Indy car guys are...they race in the rain...no, not with slicks but grooved rain tires. Imagine, Valentino Rossi at 197 mph hard braking coming off the 5/8 mile back straightaway down to probably less than a 100 mph. What a heart stopper! Then the 60 mph wind and rain hit and the race was called at lap 20 of 28 laps because the standing water became so deep that the bikes were beginning to hydroplane. Remember....almost 200 mph on the straightaways...We were hunkered down behind our umbrellas and chairs laughing like a couple of idiots due to the thrill of seeing the seemingly impossible happening less than a 100 feet from us (some might say we were a couple of idiots for being there). Before we could walk about a 1/4 mile to our car, the sun came out again and then rain and then sun but the officials felt to race further would be too dangerous.

Now...the good, the bad and the ugly.

THE GOOD:
The race track facility and personnel...absolutely first class...organized, courteous..continuous picking up of trash left by the few pigs in the crowd, clean everywhere, grounds, stands, bathrooms....great traffic control and parking, coming in a snap, leaving required patience.....But how about the local police...located at every intersection on 30 th street all the way to I-65...a straight shot with no stopping. WELL DONE!

The friendliness of 99.999 % of the fans at the track...a very courteous fan base...definitely folks with good upbringing.

THE BAD:
The usual low life encountered in a crowd...It appears some folks cannot live without a beer can in their hands. I believe drinking makes one deaf because the more they drink the louder they talk and their vocabulary degrades to words beginning with f--- and s---.

THE UGLY:
With due respect to the locals, the area around the track especially 29-30 th streets was downright scary...lots of boarded up houses, trash and very depressed and depressing. Lots of once nice neighborhoods gone down... There is a once beautiful bridge behind the Naval Armory with once pretty lamp posts with globed lights which is now broken down due to car crashes and vandalism. The missing rails now replaced with Jersey barriers. No tax money being spent in this part of town.

We went the Fairgrounds Sat. night for a dirt track race...sort of disappointing...poor sound and only one big screen TV..couldn't see much across this mile track...the bikes looked like ants going 100 mph down the backstretch.However, it seemed as if the crowd was all one 14,000 person family and I was once again impressed with the friendliness and courtesy of the crowd...Hey, maybe us Southerners are not the only ones with good up bringing...Lots of Europeans there also and they seemed to enjoy the atmosphere.

So here we are back home and all is well. The Subaru was flawless and we had a few dollars left in the wallet."

Pictures to follow tomorrow?
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - Pictures and commentary not mine
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 16, 2008, 07:02:44 PM: We have a physician in our local club. The following pictures and comments are his:

Wow!

What a weekend! I don't know where to start....simply amazing.

I had trackside physician duty Saturday and Sunday. Track physician in charge gave me incredible positions both days. Sunday was awesome! I've included a photo from Sunday where I was able to see Turn 1-4. This is the Turn 3&4 view from the safety barrier.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F103240851%2Flarge.jpg&hash=dad54f1212a8949a1ae0bfce9b5c1c41c247d88f)
Turn 3&4 from Safety Barrier during 125cc race Sunday

Saturday I was stationed with one of the on-track response ambulances near Turn 6. It was a little further away from the track, but had a great view of Turn 6, 7 and 8. We responded to Thomas Luthi's crash during practice on Saturday.

Look who dropped by for a visit! He caught a quick ride back to the pits via Moto Taxi. I got a chance to say 'hi' and make sure he was OK.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F103240856%2Flarge.jpg&hash=2e1dee65c0ee8131fad53cc3b0edd914880e0830)
Casey Stoner hitches a ride back to pits via Moto Taxi (KTM 990 Adventure)

It was incredible to see these bikes up close!

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F103240858.jpg&hash=868de99ba9982441a02e76f1f1fa6453ec1b5a78)
Stoner's engine died on his Duc and hitched it's own ride back to the pits

I can't remember who's bike this was. He went down in the grass Saturday and was uninjured. Those Suzuki's seemed to have a unique exhaust note--almost painful to listen to in my opinion. Hearing protection was worn the whole time, but I'd take it off every once in awhile just to hear what it was like. Again, incredible!

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F103240870.jpg&hash=e1ed7405bc3aa820303eb6b781553e81a327329e)
Brembos and Ohlins!!! Just like on my RT, right? NOT!!!

Too bad the rain and wind wreaked havoc on the racing Sunday. It was disappointing to see the MotoGP end prematurely, but we'll just have to wait for more action next year.

Was it just me, or did it seem like Rossi followed Hayden around the track for 14 laps just kinda playing with him, looking for weaknesses, and calculating his move to overtake him? When he did get around it's like he was just gone. Could Nicky have caught him again?

My only regret was not being able to get out to the Track on Friday and check out all of the sponsor tents, venders and see things from the fan's side. I was happy to have an air-conditioned ambulance to sit in and wait out the rain on Sunday!

-Dallas Peak, MD
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: NC Steve on September 16, 2008, 07:10:35 PM: Pictures ain't workin', Rob.

Could you try again? [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: SCJJR65 on September 16, 2008, 07:34:55 PM: Wow! :o

Why in the Hell can't they do this at Road Atlanta?????? :(

Wish I could've been there at Indy to see this for myself!
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: msbuck on September 17, 2008, 10:12:17 PM: Just a picture or two to share...

In the pits
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2F2008%2520Indy%2520MotoGP%2F2008IndyMotoGP_0013.jpg&hash=e07b8976f8f8d571e1de9adcab5d63682c770779)

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2F2008%2520Indy%2520MotoGP%2F2008IndyMotoGP_0010.jpg&hash=10e8e716cae9f6a15f66fa52ee52a7c2b71292b4)

Getting an autograph from James Toseland before his concert
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2F2008%2520Indy%2520MotoGP%2F2008IndyMotoGP_0022.jpg&hash=8679df4fc1d53710cf547415b153128eb062d691)

The Rookies Cup bikes being set up
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2F2008%2520Indy%2520MotoGP%2F2008IndyMotoGP_0021.jpg&hash=9a8d22a2bb0e2eca92d3db91da0843becb1f060c)

In the Museum
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2F2008%2520Indy%2520MotoGP%2F2008-09-17_0015.jpg&hash=bc3e908e3abbb8d72129c32b8cfdc4ded51cd2fa)

And yes, the hurricane arrived...check out the big tent/flags in the background being blown away
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2F2008%2520Indy%2520MotoGP%2F396495-R1-023-10_010.jpg&hash=a97285613c5717cddf714e3d4c10bf6ee9290316)

And they were actually racing in it!
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2F2008%2520Indy%2520MotoGP%2F396495-R1-017-7_007.jpg&hash=f9762e61d8c523c21b87d3b665f81e17eccbdfd9)

The rest of my pictures are here.... http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/cabcgec/2008%20Indy%20MotoGP/?start=all
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on September 17, 2008, 10:40:11 PM: Is that a Yamaha piano he is playing??? ::)

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi129.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp210%2Fcabcgec%2F2008%2520Indy%2520MotoGP%2F2008IndyMotoGP_0024.jpg&hash=8f72459e691afa011190304919c6c104c60d9d0a)
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Justin B. on September 17, 2008, 10:44:45 PM: Looks like it was a blast. I couldn't even imagine doing something like that in the rain! :o
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: msbuck on September 17, 2008, 11:09:57 PM: Quote
Is that a Yamaha piano he is playing??? ::)

Well, actually YES IT WAS!!! ;D
Title: Re: Indy MotoGP - I'm headed that way!
Post by: Melena on September 20, 2008, 07:33:04 PM: Great pictures, Aida! What fun!

Now I'll have to get to one of the races around here next season. 8-) Laguna Seca and Infineon Raceway are both close enough for me to get to.

I doubt we'll have remnants of a hurricane coming through here so I won't have that part to look forward to. ;)