Looking for info on Laguna Seca for MotoGP

[DrD]

Dot and I may be heading to the West Coast in the summer.  Maybe late July?  

How crazy is Mazda Raceway/ Laguna Seca during MotoGP weekend?  On Sunday, do we need to arrive at 4:00 AM at the track to be able to sit somewhere and see the race?

How about getting to the facility and away?  Chaos, or some sense to it?  How long?

Any suggestions on where to stay?

Thanks!

[DogBoy]

Make hotel reservations early. Getting in and out is not a problem if you're on bike. If not, take one of the free shuttles offered by the county. The shuttles are frequent and get their own in/out route so getting to and from the track is easy. Cars need special parking passes and are generally a pain.

You don't have to get there at 4am. I recommend getting to the track between 9:00-10:00am so you can enjoy the day and check everything out. Watching from "the hill" is better than any grandstand seat, IMO. There are many good places to watch from so plan to move around a bit.

–Dress in layers.
–Bring earplugs
–Wear comfortable shoes
–Check out Cannery Row Saturday night.

[MisterSmooth]

Make hotel reservations early. Getting in and out is not a problem if you're on bike. If not, take one of the free shuttles offered by the county. The shuttles are frequent and get their own in/out route so getting to and from the track is easy. Cars need special parking passes and are generally a pain.

You don't have to get there at 4am. I recommend getting to the track between 9:00-10:00am so you can enjoy the day and check everything out. Watching from "the hill" is better than any grandstand seat, IMO. There are many good places to watch from so plan to move around a bit.

–Dress in layers.
–Bring earplugs
–Wear comfortable shoes
–Check out Cannery Row Saturday night.

Right up there is the best advice evar.     Also, IMO getting a pit pass is a waste of money.   And paying for motorbike parking in the Red Lot is worth the $25.    

[Blunder]

If you have to cage it the shuttle service is fantastic. You park a few miles away from the track but the constantly running buses drop you off on the hill behind the main grandstand. It's a short walk to the main straight bridge that will drop you into the excellent food court and then over the Dunlop bridge to the shopping mall. The pickings have been getting a little thin the past few years but the manufacturers put on a better showing than at the Cycle World IMS'.

[Mr Sunshine]

Right up there is the best advice evar.     Also, IMO getting a pit pass is a waste of money.   And paying for motorbike parking in the Red Lot is worth the $25.    

Its only a waste if you don't know any of the AMA riders.  

I'll be in turn 3 flagroom this year staying at the embassey suits (a shuttle stop. )

[veefer800canuck]

Try to book a room in Carmel valley. Only a few miles from the track, sleepy little town. Way cheaper than Monterey, and far less bustling than salinas. No gang activity either.

[Tyrroneous]

My wife and I stayed in Salinas last year.  We booked early and snagged a hotel room for $35/night (someone else paid $150 for a room at the same hotel that weekend!).  I can't think of the name of the hotel but it was not a major chain.  15 min drive to the track or to shuttle pick up locations.  We were caging it and used the shuttle on Sunday but drove to the track on Saturday.  No issues either way.  

[DrD]

Thanks guys!  

[X1Glider]

And paying for motorbike parking in the Red Lot is worth the $25.    

Yeah, finding your ride in a sea of bikes can be difficult.  I was lucky to be able to fit my helmet in the hard case.  Some peope found their helmets missing regardless of the helmet locks.

[DogBoy]

There are free gear checks form the Christian Motorcycle Association in a few places around the track. They are a super helpful and you can drop off or pick up your gear in less than a minute. I always donate a few bucks.

[MisterSmooth]

Yeah, finding your ride in a sea of bikes can be difficult.  I was lucky to be able to fit my helmet in the hard case.  Some peope found their helmets missing regardless of the helmet locks.

I've parked in this huge open grassy field with soft, yielding dirt.  And spent the rest of the day wondering if my bike was on its side.     It turned out OK, but never again.

If you're going to cheap out and park in this field, do yourself a favor and bring a big, solid, flat sidestand rest to put under your sidestand.  Just a little peace of mind...  

[Kneescrubber]

Also, IMO getting a pit pass is a waste of money.

Oh I beg to differ. Me and The King in '07.




Colin was alway fun. Too bad he won't be around anymore.  






IMHO the camping area offers the best of everything.  

[Blunder]

http://www.blueskylodge.com/ is a small resort type of place straight out of the '50s. It's kinda funky but clean and you get to ride Laurales Grade to get to the track. Probably not overly kid friendly but there are some great restaurants in town so maybe another reader of this thread might find it worthwhile. During race weekend they like to only book for three or four nights but get a small group of people to buy in and it becomes pretty reasonable.

[DogBoy]

I forgot to mention the annual USGP ST.N non-Meet at the Honda display tent. Every since GP returned to Laguna in 2005, Region 1 members have embraced an opportunity to not meet each other and not exchange riding tips or pleasantries. No new friendships have been made and no one has fond memories after attending the the non-Meet.

The non-Meet doesn't happen at noon on Saturday of the GP weekend. Don't expect a formal announcement or invitation. Only in-the-know types know not to attend.

[viffergyrl]

http://www.blueskylodge.com/ is a small resort type of place straight out of the '50s. It's kinda funky but clean and you get to ride Laurales Grade to get to the track. Probably not overly kid friendly but there are some great restaurants in town so maybe another reader of this thread might find it worthwhile. During race weekend they like to only book for three or four nights but get a small group of people to buy in and it becomes pretty reasonable.

Four night minimum stay (Thursday - Sunday) - prices are almost double normal rate (normally around $89; for MotoGP weekend they range from $159 to $200). They have suites with kitchens so yeah, the more the merrier. M.Brane and I are booked in for that weekend.

We'll probably not meet the other Region 1 people either...  

[Tyrroneous]

Colin was alway fun. Too bad he won't be around anymore.  

Uhh...Colin will be riding a CRT bike in 2012.  So he'll still be around, but probably won't be doing all the Yamaha promotion stuff.