VFR Discussion Group -> Roll Call for Laguna Seca 2005

As we get closer to the first Moto GP in the US in years, it's time to see whom is going for sure. We can meet at the corkscrew and share riding stories on Saturday or Sunday. So Who's going?

I'm there for sure, this will be my 6th or 7th time, can't wait to hear those beasts thunder through the hills.

Rich A

All Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeet... count me in... MotoGp is going to be one big party party party...

I'm in !

I will be there.

I can't be there but I would like to read a trip report and watch video.
Have fun!

I'm new here so you don't have a clue who I am, but I'll be there.

One of the reasons I bought my VFR was to have something bigger and more comfortable than my 599 to ride up to Laguna Seca. It's about a 5 hour ride from home.

Meeting at the corkscrew might be a bit of a problem though, that's the most popular spot on the track. The crowd there will be huge.

Tix are ordered and paid for, rooms reserved months ago. Got the T shirt, and a 1/3 share in a brick in the Steps to the Corkscrew being built before July. I am soooo there. :beer:

My scheduled blastoff is July 7, less than 5 months away. :wheel:

Laguna Seca! Laguna Seca!

I'll be there. I will be riding up on Friday the 7th with a friend from Chicago and one from OC. We plan to ride to Morro Bay on Friday and to Laguna Seca the next a.m.

If the corkscrew is booked, where is the next best viewing spot at the track?

I'll be there. I'll be riding out there in the morning, as I live 20 minutes away B)

Is everyone going to try to meet at Bullwhacker's or elsewhere in the weekend?

I'll be there.

As to viewing, I like to walk all around the track, but generally stay inside the track.

The corkscrew (turn 8-8A) is very interesting, as I don't think there's another corner like it on any race track in the world. Unfortunately, you can't see the braking section before entering the corner, which is pretty wild. Downside to the corkscrew is that you can only see individual bikes for maybe 3-4 seconds. Another downside will be the number of people; it will be almost impossible to get a good viewing location at the corkscrew.

Other good sites:

Front straight - good corner coming in; hard acceleration; high speed; loud; pit view.

Turn 2 - hairpin at the end of the front straight...most congestion, and probably the most crashes.

Turn 4, looking back toward turn 3. Great corner where you can see braking into turn 2, exit from turn 3 coming straight at you, turn 4 (fast turn), then medium straight with hard braking to turn 5.

Outside the track at turn 9, looking back toward the corkscrew. Good place to see most of the track, as well as the tower.

The Lurkin Merkin

I like to park on the front side of the corkscrew which overlooks almost the entire track. Then it is a small walk over the hill to watch the corkscrew. I have never seen the corkscrew booked (last 3 years), just pull up some dirt and sit down. I don't know if Bullwackers will be desireable this year, as they shut down the bike parking early, and we usually stay to watch all the races. Any suggestions from the locals would be great.

I'll be there, Chevron got 10 tickets for us. We plan to go Saturday and Sunday so I hope to see you all there, can't wait ! :beer:

I will be riding from Philadelphia, PA to Monterey, CA.
Starting July 2nd and returning to Philadelphia on July 22nd.
I have my Moto GP ticket, paddock pass, parade lap, campsite reservation, even a hotel room 12 miles away from Laguna Seca track.

I just need to decide which bike I will ride for the trip.

This year should be the best yet. It sounds like loads of VFRD riders will be there. We definately need to hook up somewhere. Lee and I will be there on Thrusday night through Monday morning, so anytime inbetween would be great. I will also extend an invitation for anybody to join us on the ride up on Thrusday, starting in So. Cal at 9:00am. Hope to meet many of you. :D

I will also extend an invitation for anybody to join us on the ride up on Thrusday, starting in So. Cal at 9:00am. Hope to meet many of you.

You don't want to leave until 9? This is one time it should be pretty easy for me to get up and go early. :wheel:

I'm thinking take the coast route up, and the outback road Cuddy valley etc from Santa Maria to Frazier Park, and then the 5 to come back home. Maybe avoid the PM rush traffic coming home. Lane splitting the 101 after riding all day tends to suck. I'm thinking it might be easier. B)

ULEWZ, Feb 16 2005, 07:27 PMI like to park on the front side of the corkscrew which overlooks almost the entire track. Then it is a small walk over the hill to watch the corkscrew. I have never seen the corkscrew booked (last 3 years), just pull up some dirt and sit down. I don't know if Bullwackers will be desireable this year, as they shut down the bike parking early, and we usually stay to watch all the races. Any suggestions from the locals would be great.

You can still park nearby, just not on Cannery Row. The next two streets up are pretty good. I usually do that anyway so that I can still get my bike out before the driving is cut off and the hordes of pedestrians have their way with the street.

But, it would be a hell of a lot easier to get a big reservation outside of Cannery Row. I know some larger restaurants that are pretty good that don't get as much attention. Honestly, all that Cannery Row food is way overpriced for what you get anyway.

What kind of places do people like? How far away from Cannery Row are people willing to be? I'd still opt for Bullwhacker's, but I can put up a list and we can take a poll or something.

Can't be too far though, we don't want to miss Larry and his RC45 pulling in all the umbrella girls :beer:

ShipFixer, Feb 16 2005, 08:05 PMYou can still park nearby, just not on Cannery Row.  The next two streets up are pretty good.  I usually do that anyway so that I can still get my bike out before the driving is cut off and the hordes of pedestrians have their way with the street. 

But, it would be a hell of a lot easier to get a big reservation outside of Cannery Row.  I know some larger restaurants that are pretty good that don't get as much attention.  Honestly, all that Cannery Row food is way overpriced for what you get anyway.

What kind of places do people like?  How far away from Cannery Row are people willing to be?  I'd still opt for Bullwhacker's, but I can put up a list and we can take a poll or something.

Can't be too far though, we don't want to miss Larry and his RC45 pulling in all the umbrella girls  :beer:

Bullwackers doesn't take reservations, so someone would have to leave the track early and get a large table. Any volunteers?

ShipFixer, Feb 16 2005, 08:05 PM   
   
What kind of places do people like?  How far away from Cannery Row are people willing to be?  I'd still opt for Bullwhacker's, but I can put up a list and we can take a poll or something.   
   
Can't be too far though, we don't want to miss Larry and his RC45 pulling in all the umbrella girls  :beer:   
   

Will the bavfr horde also be meeting at Bullwhackers???

The Umbrella girls love motorcycles... they know difference between a twist tie and twist grip...

The Umbrella girls love motorcycles... they know difference between a twist tie and twist grip...

Is that a twist grip in your pants, or are you just glad to see them? :P

Oh, you're asking me? Well, both.... :rolleyes:

VFR4Lee, Feb 16 2005, 10:46 PMOh, you're asking me? Well, both....  :rolleyes:

Well don't ask me... I only get laid on birthdays and holidays... 8-)

BusyLittleShop, Feb 17 2005, 03:30 AMWill the bavfr horde also be meeting at Bullwhackers???   

Probably, but I dunno. That'd be a lot of VFR riders in one place. Get the "big list" people in there and V-4's could dominate the parking outside! :wheel:

ShipFixer, Feb 17 2005, 03:19 AMProbably, but I dunno.  That'd be a lot of VFR riders in one place.  Get the "big list" people in there and V-4's could dominate the parking outside!  :wheel:

I vote we leave the planning to a local. Are you listening shipfixer?

I'll see what I can find! I'll get a list of big places and run it by everyone...its around ten people so far, right?

ShipFixer, Feb 17 2005, 06:48 PMI'll see what I can find!  I'll get a list of big places and run it by everyone...its around ten people so far, right?

Count me in...

Bubba Gumps is a big place... 8-)

I'm so there!! Riding in from Colorado...anyone else from Springs area riding there?

vt600c

Im going to try and make it. I have not been there since I was stationed at Ft.Ord in the early 80's.

BusyLittleShop, Feb 18 2005, 03:57 AMCount me in... 

Bubba Gumps is a big place... 8-)

What do you think the odds are that they'll have big groups of umbrella girls and teams eating there again this year? :beer:

What do you think the odds are that they'll have big groups of umbrella girls and teams eating there again this year?

I've heard a lot of them go to the Blue Fin (I think that's the name). But they'll not likely all show up at the same time and place, unless it's the starting grid for the race. :beer:

Anyone local have a back yard they could volunteer for a VFRD pizza night? :)

ShipFixer, Feb 17 2005, 09:42 PM
What do you think the odds are that they'll have big groups of umbrella girls and teams eating there again this year?  :beer:

Well if we miss the Umbrella Girls... there never a shortage of females around Bubba's... some drunker than others...

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