Red Bull MotoGP at COTA

[montmil]

Have not yet downloaded, then uploaded, all the photos from our weekend's immersion in MotoGP but here's an R65 MotoGP gathering as a little taster. More details to follow.



LtoR:
Monte "montmil" Miller, Victor "Double Zero" Aguirre, Mike "Bengt Phorqs" Crenshaw & Zach "RecondoTexas" Miller.

Seated is Theresa, aka "Ms Bengt" and behind the camera is my Pretty Wife Dr. Lynn Singletary.

[Air4Life]

Nice bunch.

Help me out here.  Is it the two out of five that are the real Texans, or is the three out of five?  I am referring to the headgear.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Headgear does not a Texan make; it's all about the attitude!  And all five of us are native Texans.

[msbuck]

Anxiously awaiting all the pics!  I kept my eye out for you guys in the crowd scenes as we watched online.  I THOUGHT I spotted Monte a couple of times, but now I know I was wrong.    

[Bengt_Phorqs]

This is the only photo that I have.

[montmil]

Disclaimer: We have traveled the US attending various motorsports events. Being there allows us to soak up the sensual ambiance of sights, smell, sounds and people plus the total environment of the event. Always worth the effort and expense.

That said, it's our belief that the best seat for viewing most of these events is in our home in front of that flat screen marvel. You see it all and don't miss any of the amazing, race winning passes... Just so long as your selected event is televised.  

Turn 15 Section 22 Seats 3[size=8]&[/size]4 were situated in front of a Jumbotron screen that captured what we could not actually see. If you enjoyed the TV broadcast of the Red Bull MotoGP from COTA, you had a better seat.

Here's a few shots from the event with brief descriptors. This may require more than one posting. We'll see:


The landscape on the eastern side of Austin flattens out. The COTA Tower can be seen from several miles away. Twenty-five bucks to visit the top.


We got to the track early. The empty seats gradually filled as we enjoyed the Moto3, Moto2 and The Big One. 131K+ announced attendance.


Turn 14, Lap One. Pedrosa leads team mate Marquez.


Turn 15, Lap One. In our face! Marquez stalked Pedrosa for half the race, passed Dani and never looked back.


Nicky Haden-Ducati was the top finishing American. Post race cool down lap with Pedrosa. Partisan crowd heavily cheered Hayden(9th), Spies(13th) and Edwards(DNF). They responded with great wheelies while waving to the crowd.


Lorenzo leads Rossi through Turn 14.


Not all the riders had a good day.


Unless another rider can surge forward, I think MotoGP newbie Marc Marquez and his Repsol Honda will be this year's Champion. Yes, it's just two races into the season but last year's Repsol Honda-mounted Moto2 Champion looks unbeatable.


Warm and sunburned at the inaugural Red Bull Circuit Of The Americas MotoGP.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

On Saturday there was a MX team on the main plaza.  This was the first time I'd seen these guys up close and personal.  I was suitably impressed and it's not like the good old days of the Yamaha DT1 or a little Hodaka.

[msbuck]

I agree, the best place for viewing the race in at home in front of the big screen, HOWEVER, there is nothing like actually being there and experiencing the atmosphere, sounds, smells, excitement.  Plus all the other activities going on.  

It also really helps to get a better feel for the track.  Most of the tv shots look alike and unless you know how the track is laid out, along with the elevation changes, it all gets lost in the translation on screen.

One of these days I hope we make it to Texas for a race.  Thanks for the pics!   8-)

[Bengt_Phorqs]

I'd have to agree completely about getting the lay out of the track.  There are quite a few elevation changes at that track but they don't quite reflect that from the tv camera angles.  The other day at the local BMW dealer I learned that big tower with the red piping flowing down is called "the mullet" as it resembles that iconic red neck hair cut from the '80's.  All business up front, all party in the back.  The charge is $25 to ride the elevator to the top or to walk the stairs, all 17 or 18 floors.

[montmil]

RecondoTexas has a photo from the top of the tower... his feet.

There is a section of the top deck that has clear flooring. Pretty scary looking.