So, tell me about going to Miller for SBK

[kendenton]

Been to MotoGP rounds in Indianapolis and Mugello, but never been to a SBK race.  I'd love to hear from folks who have been there what the experience is like.

• Quality and variety of viewing opportunities - are there a lot of good places to watch the action?
• Value of Paddock Access - it's not nearly as expensive as for MotoGP
• Anything else going on in the area to support the races

And anything else you can tell me.

Thanks in advance.

[squeezer]

I know Warchild has gone down there the last couple of years. You might try giving him a ping.

[JonS]

2 years ago I went to Miller and found it an underwhelming experience. I'm not sure why, but Last year, I went to Laguna and lived happily ever after. For me, going to Miller is about a 7 hour ride and Monterey is 2 days. Even then, I will go to the MotoGP. I really like both series, so that isn't the thing.

[satxbonneville]

Been to MotoGP rounds in Indianapolis and Mugello, but never been to a SBK race.  I'd love to hear from folks who have been there what the experience is like.

• Quality and variety of viewing opportunities - are there a lot of good places to watch the action?
• Value of Paddock Access - it's not nearly as expensive as for MotoGP
• Anything else going on in the area to support the races

And anything else you can tell me.

Thanks in advance.

Miller is a pretty spectator friendly circuit with good viewing of the course from most of the grandstands. In 2009 we sat in the stands at the end of the straight  so we got to see a lot of serious speed and the scrubbing off of that speed as the riders braked hard into the first corner, however, unless you're content with that part of the action the rest of the course is a bit far away to get a good look at the action. Last year we sat in the  clubhouse corner stand and got to see some really great action from Witchcraft through the Attitudes and then through Tooele and the kink past us and then through the Clubhouse corner than Windup and Release onto the main straight.

In 2009 we bought paddock passes and gathered a good collection of autographs. Last year no paddock pass but we were able to wander behind the garages just as we did in 2009. Checking the tickets for this year I see no option to buy separate paddock passes so it appears that they did away with the paddock pass.

There is plenty to see and do around the SLC area. We flew in the prior two race weekends but I am meeting my son in Vegas and riding up this year. He will be rolling in from Long Beach.

I haven't been to a MotoGP yet but I like the atmosphere at the WSBK races...seems pretty informal and open based on our experience at Miller and Portimao. All the really drunk Italians were highly entertaining at the Portimao race.  

[Warchild]

I know Warchild has gone down there the last couple of years.

Yep, daughter Lauryn and I attended the last two years, and we are going again this year!

Here is last year's WSB ride report:  2011 World Superbike Races at Miller Motorsports Park

[kendenton]

Thanks for the link, lot of useful info.

Did you take this pic:



Yowza!

[kendenton]

In 2009 we bought paddock passes and gathered a good collection of autographs. Last year no paddock pass but we were able to wander behind the garages just as we did in 2009. Checking the tickets for this year I see no option to buy separate paddock passes so it appears that they did away with the paddock pass.

You can get a "Paddock Patio" package for $260 that includes paddock access.

Grandstand seating plus access to the Paddock Patio and the following:

   - Buffet lunch, drinks and snacks.
   - Two daily beer vouchers.
   - Paddock access
   - Event program and a gift.

Considering paddock access at MotoGP Indy is $1,000, I might treat myself to this.

[Warchild]

Thanks for the link, lot of useful info.

Did you take this pic:



Yowza!

Actually, no, I did not.... that is a Superbikeplanet photo, IIRC. You just know Rodger Lee Hayden was just freezing his ass off in this shot!  

You can get a "Paddock Patio" package for $260 that includes paddock access.

Grandstand seating plus access to the Paddock Patio and the following:

   - Buffet lunch, drinks and snacks.
   - Two daily beer vouchers.
   - Paddock access
   - Event program and a gift.

Considering paddock access at MotoGP Indy is $1,000, I might treat myself to this.

Yep, we scored Paddock Patio tickets ourselves again this year - almost worth it just to have that lunch voucher!  

Here is the Miller Motorsports write up from when we first hit the World Superbike scene in 2010... some awesome photos in this thread:


2010 Miller World Superbike Races

[kendenton]

Woohoo!

Bought my Paddock Patio package today!  Also got a good deal on airfare (price dropped $180 from yesterday).  I even splurged and got a new lens for the occasion.   

[stromgal]

    I'm seriously considering this, would like to see WSB in person.

[keepergale]

We have went the last 3 years. The people working the track are very nice and they don't seem intent on wringing every last cent out of you. Prices are fair even for the RV/camping areas. The shuttles around the perimeter run every few minutes and are free. Pit area is open for viewing. Nice lawns in front of the grandstands for viewing the race if you don't pay for the grandstands. Actually it seemed you can pretty much sit in the grandstands whether you paid or not. Saturday night there is a free concert if you hang around.
 Other than poor weather last year the only negative that comes to mind is the Ducati Hospitality area was absent last year.

[Scoop]

And you can take your bike and go for an absolute straight line howl for about 100 miles to the salt flats.  We did that in 2009 and would love to get there again.  Just to see the place, it's pretty cool if you haven't been.

[denydog]

Had a good time in '09 & '10 with BMW ticket packages. Unlimited soft drinks throughout the day were worth the price alone, though I got the '10 tickets for free. So even better.

Kind of glad I didn't ride down last year with the weather as it was.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[Warchild]

Kind of glad I didn't ride down last year with the weather as it was.

Rather unusual, unseasonably cold at the racetrack last year, that's true enough.

Day 2 was the gnarliest.... rain, rain, 39 degrees, more rain.  

Here's a shot of daughter and I around 8:30am on Day 3, Race Day... look how low the snow levels fell the previous evening!  

[Blunder]

Is Lauryn single?  

[keepergale]

A better question is .....Is Warchild armed?

[Warchild]

Is Lauryn single?  

A better question is .....Is Warchild armed?

Yes to both questions.

However, the crucial question not asked here is... is *Lauryn* armed?  


Ohhhhhhhh, yes, Lauryn is armed, and she knows how to handle her 9mm quite well, as you can see below. This is from her last Indoor Range outing:






Her 10-round magazine produced 8 kill shots at 50ft.

Lauryn can handle situations by herself. Trust me.  

[keepergale]

 

[nnjhawk02]

I'm staying away from Warchild & his offspring to be sure.

But SBK is cool.  I went to last race in '07 & watched Toseland win @ Magny Cours.

Have fun Ken

[staedtler]

Im considering going (never been to the SBK)...looks like the paddock patio is the way to go.

seems expensive for camping, $220 i think thats the whole weekend?(has anybody camped there?)
or is it better to find a hotel/motel over by Tooele...i think i need to book now, yime is running out




edit 5 min later - *crap!...looks like everything is booked...

[Scoop]

We stayed at a Marriott near the airport.  Lots of the teams stayed there.  It was a really nice hotel, 20 mins from the track.  Probably booked though.

[satxbonneville]

If you buy your tickets before midnight on the 14th you can get them at 25% off. Link below. If you have problems getting to the link shoot me a PM with an email address and I'll forward the email.

That's a damn fine deal. I bought my tickets 2 weeks ago.

http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe5c1574706c0d7a7414&m=fe6d15707461007c7314&ls=fde71c787c650c7a7716727c&l=fe9816767764077a76&s=fe1912767d6d067a761c75&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe2e157473650175741576&r=0

Sent from my TeamDRH ICS for GTablet using Tapatalk 2

[GTS_Rider]

So how many STN'rs going?  

I'm like 98% in, at this point. Just in-case anyone wants to do an impromptu ST.N meetup somewhere.

I'm in Vegas (Thursday night May 24th, not sure where yet). Friday up though Zion, Bryce, ending in Torrey, UT near Capitol Reef. Saturday, depending on the route, may show up at the track in the afternoon. Though 'watching riding' vs. 'actually riding', sweet twisty roads (of which there a few up that way) play heavily into the decision making bit, the part I'm not even close too. Though it's good to make an outline...

I'm staying SLC downtown at the RedLion Satuday/Sunday night (big draw, they have hot buffet breakfast with eggs and meat and stuff... lol). Should be at the races at least all day Sunday and all day Monday.

Any-case, anyone near the same trek as me for a ride meet?, and/or maybe downtown SLC dinner meet, post up. Oh, and don't feel like you're obligated if you post up. I may not have time for you either!  

Yeah, just thinking it would be cool to meet some ST.N peeps face to face if the timing 'happens' to work out.  Trade contact info via pm and what not...


 

[satxbonneville]

Dinner meet sounds good. My son and I are staying closer to the airport, on Temple, but it's a pretty straight shot downtown. We're flying in Friday AM to avoid the holiday weekend rush at the airports. PM sent.

[kendenton]

Dinner sounds good to me as well.  PM sent.

[GTS_Rider]

PM's back at ya. Thinking Saturday or Sunday night dinner if it works out...