Luguna Seca, anyone taken in a event there?

[anonny]

My wife an I are talking about a ride to Luguna Seca for the US Grand Prix in July, so far I have a few hours into researching but would like to hear from people that have taken in this event in the past.

We will probably camp at the track unless someone know something better, don't want to pay $350 a night for a room in Monterey.

Is it worth the extra $350- $425 for the elevated shade seats?

Can you just wander the infield?

Hows the shower/ washroom facilities?

Is the motorcycle parking safe and where are the best camping spots?

More questions to come I'm sure.

[wfo600]

Have been every year they've hosted the GP since 1988. It is not to be missed.
Haven't camped at the track for the GP (have for other events though...) so can't say what the availability will be this close to the event, however bathrooms are just adequate, and showers are over run in the first 3 hours. Would not count on them at the track.
I've always purchased a general admission ticket and a pit pass. Have never splurged for the grandstand seats. Never felt the need to... All the really "hairball" places on the track are away from the main grandstands and have good fence viewing if you're willing to stand and get their early enough on race day. I sit at the top of turn two for the main race every year and love it. No extra ticket required. I do pay the extra for the pit pass because I enjoy smelling the race fuel, watching what little you can of the teams working and seeing Colin shoot t-shirts into the crowd with his shirt launcher. It is also a really good short cut through the infield when the crowds are trying to move around, which they do between races, and which causes huge walking delays.
I'll post up more as you have more questions, but as you can see, I look forward to this event each year with a huge passion...

[speedygee68]

The 1st time I went was in 1993 for the 500GP race (Schwantz, Doohan, Rainey out on injury). I flew in from Hawaii and purchased the Grand stand seating. Nice to have food, drinks, shade and you sit really close to the track. Downside...that's all you see. Except if your seated where you can see the Jumbo-tron. But who wants to pay all that $$$ to watch it on a screen. I've only been able to make it 3 more times since then and have parked my happy ass on top of the hill where I see most everything, OR, at the corkscrew. If you come all this way, you gotta go to Cannery Row on Saturday night. It's like New years eve and Marti gras for bikers. Last year, my son was old enough to drive, so me and my buddies were able to at Cannery Row with a Dezi. Also, you may need space for goodies that you buy at the track. You might already be too late to try to camp. Good luck.

[getagripgreg]

For my money, camping on Fox Hill is the only way to go. Fox Hill is roughly above and between turns five and 7. I've only ever bought a general admission/paddock pass/camp ticket and that's too expensive as is. The only "shaded" seats I know of are in the hospitality area between turn 3-4. Nice if you can afford it, but not for me. If you get a good campsite on Friday night, you can sit in your tent above turn four and watch the bigscreen that gets parked across from the T4 grandstands.

Fox Hill is tent only, no "improved" sites. Pick a site in the grass, the way camping is meant to be. Be prepared to ride off-trail a bit to get to a good spot. RV camp spots above turn 5 or 9 are very expensive and sell out quick. Fox Hill is first come - first serve, and there is lots of space. Getting to and from the track during the race weekend is a drag and I prefer a base inside the fence.

Showers are available and free, down at the exit of turn five or farther away outside of turn nine (Rainey Curve). Water is hot and they are typically cleanish.

I would also say you should not miss Cannery Row on Sat. night. The gate to the track closes at a specific time though (11 pm?) so you must get back to camp on time!

I've been only 4 or 5 times between WSB and MGP, but I tried to show up Friday before dark and leave on Monday morning. There are lots of great short side roads to visit before leaving the area, including...

Laureles Grade to Carmel Valley Rd to 101... Must do.

Palo Colorado Rd, 11 miles south of Carmel... it is a 9 mile dead end at a camp site.

Robinson Canyon Rd, just East of Carmel.
(all three are tight and narrow canyons, FWIW!)

Have fun!
Cheers,
Greg

[scottcolbath]

I got a hotel in Seaside in 2009 for only about $140/night, and it was very close to the beach. Seaside is also a short ride to the track.

I also had flagroom passes for the weekend ($400 per person), and they were worth every penny. You get a great location to watch the race, breakfast and lunch, and drinks all day. If you do the flagroom, get there extra early so when they open the door to let you in, you can get a front row table for the race.

S.C.

[mike54]

Every one has their preferred way of going to Laguna.

I've camped on Fox Hill and it's not a bad way to go. Timing is everything on the showers. I got a pit pass one year and thought it was a waste of $$$. Back in the olden days a pit pass was worth something but I don't believe so now.
I've done the GA with the MC parking pass. There were a few years when entrance and exit to and from the track were a hassle but it's pretty smooth these days.

You can find Hotel's in the $200 range. Even in Carmel. The way we've been doing the GP the last few years is to get a decent hotel in Carmel and ride to and from the track each day. That way we can walk to dinner and drinks in Carmel and have a nice time. We get the lap of the track ticket so we can park nearer where we want to be. We actually did the lap of the track one year. Once was enough. This year we got flag room tickets. We've got friends who do that every year and say it's a great deal. We'll see.

If you're coming all the way from BC and will be on a MC, take advantage of the area. Carmel/Monterey is a great destination in it's own right.

[Foot dragger]

Moto-GP is neat but if theres too many people its hard to get around and hard to get up close to see anything,they're having WSB there in September,for my money those guys put on a great race.

I remember camping at Laguna in 1976,multiple explosions,burnout contests till 3 in the AM,shorttrack races with Goldwings entered,mounted riot cops,good times..........

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by scottcolbath

I got a hotel in Seaside in 2009 for only about $140/night, and it was very close to the beach. Seaside is also a short ride to the track.

I also had flagroom passes for the weekend ($400 per person), and they were worth every penny. You get a great location to watch the race, breakfast and lunch, and drinks all day. If you do the flagroom, get there extra early so when they open the door to let you in, you can get a front row table for the race.

S.C.

For 400.00 I want to do more then watch guys on bikes.

[scottcolbath]

Originally Posted by Foot dragger

For 400.00 I want to do more then watch guys on bikes.

Well, as stated. You get a great area to sit and watch the race....In the shade. You get breakfast, snacks, lunch, drinks (even beer and wine), and I also got a meet and greet with a couple of riders in 2009 as part of my flagroom deal. I'd do it again in a second.

To me, there is great value in having a comfortable, great location for the racing, super convenient bike parking and food that is pretty damn good.

S.C.

[mike54]

Originally Posted by scottcolbath

Well, as stated. You get a great area to sit and watch the race....In the shade. You get breakfast, snacks, lunch, drinks (even beer and wine), and I also got a meet and greet with a couple of riders in 2009 as part of my flagroom deal. I'd do it again in a second.

To me, there is great value in having a comfortable, great location for the racing, super convenient bike parking and food that is pretty damn good.

S.C.

Went to Indy last year and won a VIP pass in a raffle. It was a pretty good experience so we decided to give a shot on our dollar at Laguna this year. We'll see how it goes. Every one has a different view on value.

[Montek]

been going to secca gp for a couple years now, we stay at the pacific in monteray. cannnery row and downtown are walking distance. crown and anchor is a great place, cannery row is not to be missed on sat night. we ate breakfast with a couple gp racers on sat and sun last year, was awesome and well worth the cost of the room. plus,if it rains, there is a comfortable place to watch the race. its an awesome venue-spend the cash and enjoy a room and downtown and the row, might be your only chance to live a big race weekend and it is a blast. Everyone there is like minded and just there to enjoy the race and motorbikes. Very international crowd also. Super cool!!!!

[High Country Herb]

I have been going to the race for over 10 years. A group of guys (including one Canadian) pitch in on a developed RV site with water in the Can-Am campground, though we don't bring an RV. We have a Foosball table, and have annual tournaments. The campgrounds can get a little wild with drinking and illegal fireworks, but for for the most part are family friendly. We usually have 3 kids in our group (who are the Foosball champs). Come by and see us at #123. Another camp down the way is known for their dart games.

Fox Hill is probably going to be the only available camping left at this point. The camping is on grass, and sometimes slopes. I have never camped there, but met friendly people from all over the world walking through.

The showers get cleaned daily, so go right after that. They are empty during the race events.

I have never heard of any problems with theft or damage to bikes (other than the occasional scratch from parking too close). I would say it is much safer than parking in any city in North America.

We all used to get pit passes, but now only the kids get them. They like to seek out the riders for autographs and posters.

Grandstand/VIP tickets are a waste of money, in my opinion, unless your physical condition isn't conducive to walking. You will want to hike all over the track to view the racing at different places. Some corners, such as the Corkscrew, have shady trees. If you are looking for a VIP experience (I shouldn't be telling anyone, but it's just us friends here) go to the Fan Appreciation Party. It is a free VIP type event, complete with free raffles for good stuff, free t-shirts thrown into the audience, rider interviews, and drinks available for purchase. Get in line early. There is also a free concert Saturday night, with more t-shirts and things thrown into the audience. For a cost, you can even go on helicopter rides over the track. It is an awesome event every year, with around 130,000 to 140,000 people in attendance for the weekend.

[pierce]

premium fox hill campsite from the GP too many years ago..



backside view looking up the hill I rode down.



this was on Friday of the 2005 MotoGP, by Saturday, that hill was full of people trying to camp on the slope.


me, in the pits...







absolute MUST BRINGS... 1) a flat coffee can or something to put under your side stand. the ground is full of gopher tunnels,a nd it WILL cave in. 2) GOOD hiking boots, as you'll be doing a LOT of walking if you're like me and wander around the track to view from different angles. 3) LARGE water carrier, its dry up there on the hill, and in July can be melt-down hot. nearest H2O supply is a long walk. 4) shade!!! I didn't have any, and about died after 3 days.

p.s. riding my fully loaded RS up that hill to go home was, um, challenging on street tires, hah!

[anonny]

Great stuff guys! What town are within a 45 min ride that will have reasonable camping or motel rates, the prices in Monterey go up by 250% for that weekend

And when you say get to the gate early for good seating.... what time are we talking?

Lastly whats the drill, practice Friday, qualifiers Saturday and race on Sunday?

[scottcolbath]

Originally Posted by High Country Herb

Another camp down the way is known for their dart games.

Sounds like you guys are living the thug life.



S.C.