I know a lot of folks are planning to attend the MotoGP races at Laguna Seca this summer, so I figured I'd start a thread on it.:)

Current plans for Team Ciurczak:

3 night stay beginning Friday July 8 at the Best Western Victorian Inn, 487 Foam Street, Monterey, California 93940-1409; 831-373-8000
Alex went a bit crazy on the tickets, so we have:
2 Sat&Sun Jul 9&10 Turn 11 grandstand Seats
2 Sat&Sun Jul 9&10 Turn 4 grandstand Seats
2 3-day general admission (Fri/Sat/Jun, Jul 8/9/10)
2 Paddock Passes for the 3 days
1 preferred M/C parking pass

I think it would be neat if we could all meet up for dinner or something. Maybe we can do a good old MSMC cocktail hour, so let me know if you are going and when. :hellokitt

Great avatar...

Vicki and I are attending too, staying at the Otter Inn, just off Cannery Row. We have a similar package of tickets, but no grandstand seats.

The scene/people watching on Cannery Row is unparalleled, as good as going to the race itself. And Bullwackers has a nice patio and had a great musician performing last time we where there.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Marilyne and I will be hosting a wine and cheese party on Friday night. It will be at the Candle Light Inn in Carmel. Without an idea as to Friday's race card, let's plan on a 5:30PM start time.

There is a wonderful restaurant by the name of Casonova that is a few steps away. While a bit pricey it has one of the best wine menus in CA! I haven't made reservatiions as yet, but plan to do so in the next few days. For those that are interested, we can have the restaurant do a large table. Let me know.

During the coming weeks please let me know if you can join us at the Inn for our wine/cheese soiree.

Thanks,

--george

Sounds great George! We're definitely in for the wine & cheese soiree, and count us in as maybe's for the dinner (we can firm up plans as things get closer)...

Well, we got our various Laguna Seca tickets/passes/parking in the mail today. So I guess we're all set to go.:cool:

Thinking we would be traveling East for our annual July 4th trip, I didn't make plans for the races :hitself . I have secured a floor in a friend's hotel room for accomodations and am looking for assistance if anyone has extra tickets or advice on how to secure some.

Brian

Tickets are still on sale for general admission:

http://www.laguna-seca.com/Tickets/index.cfm?Fuseaction=ViewTickets&EventID=6

These will get you into the racetrack, and most folks evidently just wander for a decent place to sit somewhere anyway. We have grandstand seats, but have been told that we won't want to spend alot of time in them anyway. The one thing that you might want to try and track down is paddock passes (not for sale anymore; perhaps eBay?); supposedly this will be the closest you can get to the teams and the bikes anywhere at any MotoGP event...

Which days are you thinking about coming?

-Alex

Actually, it looks like there are quite a few tickets up on eBay, including paddock passes (sold individually, and along with general admission tickets):

one example auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16122&item=6535420218&rd=1)

Another one (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16122&item=6534615057&rd=1)

You may want to just go to ebay, search on "MotoGP Paddock" and place some bids...

Thanks, will see how e-bay works out for paddock passes. Thinking about heading down Saturday morning. Talk to you more about it tomorrow.

B

Anyone:

I will need three paddock passes for the weekend. If you are bidding on a package of tickets and need to someone to front the paddock passes, let me know.

--george

I just found the current schedule. Looks like Friday is all practice, with qualifying on Saturday, and the first AMA race late Saturday afternoon.

The rest of the races are on Sunday, with the main event at 2pm.

No 125s or 250s...and no AMA Formula Extreme....

I gotta buy a stopwatch to make Friday and Saturday a little more interesting!


__________________________________

Friday, July 8
8:30am-9:30am Practice: AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship
10:00am-11:00am Free Practice 1: MotoGP World Championship
11:10am-11:40am Practice: Superstars of Super Karts
11:55am-12:45pm Practice: AMA Superbike Championship
12:45pm-1:30pm Lunch
2:00pm-3:00pm Free Practice 2: MotoGP World Championship
3:15pm-3:50pm Practice: Superstars of Super Karts
4:00pm-5:00pm Practice: AMA Repsol Superstock Series

Saturday, July 9
8:30am-8:50am Warm-Up: Superstars of Super Karts
9:00am-9:30am Qualifying: AMA Repsol Superstock Series
10:00am-11:00am Free Practice 3: MotoGP World Championship
11:15am-11:40am Qualifying: Superstars of Super Karts
11:50am-12:30pm Qualifying: AMA Superbike Championship
12:30pm-1:30pm Lunch
2:00pm-3:00pm Qualifying Practice: MotoGP World Championship
3:10pm-3:45pm Practice: AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship
3:55pm-4:20pm RACE: Superstars of Super Karts
4:35pm- RACE: AMA Superbike Championship (100K - 28 laps)

Sunday, July 10
9:00am-9:30am Practice: AMA Repsol Superstock Series
10:00am-10:20am Warm-Up: MotoGP World Championship
10:40am-11:10am Qualifying: AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship
11:30am-12:00pm RACE: AMA Repsol Superstock Series
12:00pm-12:30pm Track Entertainment
12:35pm-1:30pm Lunch
2:00pm- RACE: MotoGP World Championship
3:15pm-4:15pm RACE: AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship

Just came across this, some of the better motorcycle music in my ipod:


SMASH MOUTH TO PLAY FREE CONCERT FOR RED BULL U.S. GRAND PRIX SPECTATORSSaturday Activities Conclude With Smash Mouth Presented by Yamaha and HSBC Retail Services


MONTEREY, Calif. (June 14, 2005) - Spectators attending the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, July 8-10, will be treated to the high-energy sound of Smash Mouth presented by Yamaha and HSBC Retail Services. band, whose Billboard top-10 hits include “All Star” and “Then The Morning Comes”, will perform the free concert on a temporary stage constructed near the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca scoring tower overlooking Turn 10. The band will play from approximately 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 9 following the on-track activities of the second day of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.


“Smash Mouth in concert is more entertainment value included in admission to the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Instead of rushing for the gates when the racing ends, fans can stick around and enjoy the concert before heading out for an evening down on the Wharf or Cannery Row."


Several Smash Mouth members, including lead singer Steve Harwell, are avid motorsports fans and the band has performed at races in the past. The eagerness to perform in such venues is due at least partly to their love for the sport.


The band won’t take the stage alone. Gauloises Yamaha teammates Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards will take time during the show to introduce the winner of Yamaha’s charity auction benefiting “Feed The Children”. Both Edwards and Rossi are scheduled to present and autograph a set of their riding leathers, awarded as part of the auction packages.


“This is just another event during this fantastic weekend that we’re honored to be associated with” said Bob Starr, Corporate Communications Manager for Yamaha Motor Company. “And having our partner HSBC Retail Services help out is just another testimony to the overwhelming enthusiasm for this event.”


Brian

Check your hotel reservations, folks...

Embassy Suites Cancels Guaranteed Reservations (http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=23188)

Click here (http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15312) for discussion of the issue on SBR. Seems to be happening to other hotels as well...

My fellow members:

Don't forget to let me know who is attending the wine/cheese reception that I'm having at my hotel on Friday night. My guess is that we should plan on starting at 5:30PM. The site is the Candle Light Inn in Carmel. I aslo have reservations at 8:00 at Casanova which is a 30 second walk from the hotel. The reservations are for 10. I have 6 spaces taken so far. I can easliy expand the size of the party but need to do it soon. I will also need to reduce the size of the reservations as I will be charged for no shows....so let me know!

-george

george...i think you aleady know...but please count vicki and i in for the reception and dinner....thanks for organizing, we're looking forward to it!

colin

edit: we confirmed our hotel, so we're not gettin' booted by the promoters!

Colin/Vickie:

Have you both!

--george

New VIP tickets opened up for Laguna Seca. Sounds like a lot of fun, but crazy amounts of money:

Click here (http://www.laguna-seca.com/Tickets/index.cfm?Fuseaction=ViewTickets&EventID=6) for link to official Laguna Seca ticket site...

$605 VIP Village - SUNDAY ONLY, Automobile Parking (TICKETS MUST BE PICKED UP AT WILL CALL)
VIP Village includes Sunday only Admission, Paddock Access, Automobile parking, buffet breakfast and gourmet lunch, Complimentary bar, official event program. Air conditioning, elegant furniture and closed circuit television. Pit Lane Walk at pre arranged time (times TBD). ONE CAR PARKING FOR EVERY FOUR TICKETS.
$605 VIP Village - SUNDAY ONLY, Motorcycle Parking (TICKETS MUST BE PICKED UP AT WILL CALL)
VIP Village includes SUNDAY Admission, Paddock Access, Automobile parking, buffet breakfast and gourmet lunch on Sunday, Complimentary bar on Sunday, official event program. Air conditioning, elegant furniture and closed circuit television. Pit Lane Walk at pre arranged times (times TBD).
$775 VIP Village - Automobile parking (TICKETS MUST BE PICKED UP AT WILL CALL)
VIP Village includes 3-Day Admission, Paddock Access, Automobile parking, buffet breakfast and gourmet lunch on Saturday & Sunday, Complimentary bar on Saturday & Sunday, official event program. Air conditioning, elegant furniture and closed circuit television. Pit Lane Walk at pre arranged times on Saturday and Sunday (times TBD). ONE CAR PARKING FOR EVERY FOUR TICKETS.
$775 VIP Village - Motorcycle parking (TICKETS MUST BE PICKED UP AT WILL CALL)
VIP Village includes 3-Day Admission, Paddock Access, Motorcycle parking, buffet breakfast and gourmet lunch on Saturday & Sunday, Complimentary bar on Saturday & Sunday, official event program. Air conditioning, elegant furniture and closed circuit television. Pit Lane Walk at pre arranged times on Saturday and Sunday (times TBD).

Thank you for the invitation George!

Shaun, I and "maybe" Matthew @ 3.5 (depending on babysitter availability) would be delighted to drop-by for a visit but won't be able to stay for dinner.

Cheers,

Scott McC

Hey MSMC'ers,

We're renting a home in Pacific Grove for the MotoGP Weekend and would like to invite "You-All" over for a BYO BBQ (and/or Delivery Food etc.) if there is interest on SATURDAY NIGHT.

This is a "no big deal event" but could be fun as the local restaurants will be CRAZY on Saturday Night.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANY INTEREST...

Cheers,

Scott McC

Hey Guys,

We've got a few rsvp's so far and think this could be fun! Shaun and Matthew (3 1/2) are driving down, so we've got the food and beverage issue handled... just as soon as it's decided what the menu should be! Suggestions would be appreciated.

FYI, the house is 713 Jewell Avenue @ Pacific Ave in Pacific Grove near Lover's Point Beach.
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=713+Jewell+Avenue&csz=Pacific+Grove%2C+CA&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=

(Sorry, I don't have the GPS coordinates handy... ;) )

(( edit by alex: N36.62485 W121.91947 :D ))

Cheers,

Scott McC

Thanks for putting this together. Count me in for the BBQ.

Brian

Great Brian! "Bring Sally!"

"Next weekend's Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix marks the first time a sellout announcement has been made prior to the event weekend in the 49-year history of the world-renowned [Laguna Seca] circuit."

It's only sold out once before, for a car event in 1998, and that was based upon gate sales.

The've sold over 50k tickets for each of Sat and Sun and expect nearly 150k over the course of the 3 days...I think last year there were like 90k over the entire weekend....

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The address for the hotel is San Carlos between 4th and 5th in Carmel. It's easy to find. Maybe hard to park. Look forward to seeing all of you. Hotel phone: 831-624-6451. My cell: 415-999-9646.

--george

For those who were wondering about the weather and what to pack:

Laguna Seca (Salinas, CA)
Fri Mostly Sunny High 71 Low 56
Sat Partly Cloudy High 69 Low 55
Sun Partly Cloudy High 71 Low 56

Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove, CA
Fri Mostly Sunny High 67 Low 55
Sat Partly Cloudy High 66 Low 53
Sun Partly Cloudy High 68 Low 56

All above temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit - just in case it wasn't clear :D.

Looks like it'll be on the "cold" side for July, which I guess is better than being hot... except I was thinking about wearing this sundress I have... guess I'll have to save it for something else :( (I'm sure all of you were concerned :cool: .).

If anyone else is using FRS radios at the track, ours will be initially set to channel 8.14.

Of course, it may be too loud or there may be too much chatter for them to be of any use....but we'll see....

We'll bring 'em as well....