The 14th round of the 2008 MotoGP season was officially kicked of at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a GP-Preview and Pit Walk event that allowed race pass holders access to the pits and paddock to see the bikes and riders. Having waited for many months for the Indy race to arrive, I convinced my wife to take the day off, and we made it up to the Speedway. Being a weekday, the crowd was fairly small, but it was a gorgeous summer day, and there was a fantastic buzz around the place...
If I read the mood correctly, both spectators and participants were just a little awestruck by it all. Even for the jaded, it's hard not to be just a little reverent the first time you take it all in...that's the magic of Indy...
We spent most of our time just hanging out, but grabbed a few snaps here and there. Hope you enjoy...
The day capped off with a photo session with all riders standing on the famous "yard of bricks". James Toseland made an early escape to play on the Plaza stage with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, followed by his rock band mates.
Before calling it a day, we made one last past down pit lane as the smell of race fuel and 2-stroke oil wafted past... For those of us that have only seen these bikes and riders through the television, it was an incredible preview to the week ahead...
Last edited by Baketech; 09-18-2008 at 11:10 AM.
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."
The day began with a fairly ominous weather forecast...it would be cold and rainy for the next 3 days, with the potential for very heavy rain and storms on race day...
Still, we packed up early for the short drive, along with my sister-in-law and father-in-law. We had waited this long, so rain be damned...
It was cold and drizzly when we arrived at the track, and the crowd was very light. Really odd to drive right into the Coke lot and be in the Speedway without fighting crowds and traffic. Later it was reported that there were only 31,000 people in the fence that day..
Still, the show was great. We got to see all classes practice including the Red Bull Rookies and Riders. There were some heavy rains at times, but everyone seemed to be in a pretty good humor about it all. Seeing the GP bikes get nasty with it was worth the cold and rain...
On the brighter side, our seats turned out to be fantastic...only 2 rows from the top and directly across from T16, we have a great view that stretches from Turn 10 through Turn 16, with some view down the main stretch including podium and garages...
Today was supposed to be a total washout as well, but the weather system was fast moving and we caught a very large window in the mess. The day started a bit grey and damp as things moved out, but that gave way to brilliant sunshine for the rest of the day. Ab-so-lutely awesome day at the track for a frantic GP qualifying session...
A large chunk of the MCADX crowd stopped by a local Hooter's to catch some dinner before heading either downtown or the Indy Mile. (Sorry about the pics, my camera was fubar'd for some reason...) DSC01326.JPGDSC01327.JPGDSC01328.JPGDSC01329.JPG
The Indy Mile turned out to be a pretty cool event, although I think they were a little overwhelmed by the massive turnout. A few VIP's were introduced between races...Nicky Hayden (Indy Mile Veteran) Kenny Roberts, and Jay Springsteen. Props to "eleman" to explaining things for us non Flat Track peeps... DSC01332.JPG
Hard to imagine a better day at the Speedway...
Last edited by Baketech; 09-18-2008 at 12:28 PM.
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."
The rains returned to Indy for Race Day, and with talk on the net of an early start, we loaded up early and headed north. The weatherman was calling for heavy rain and wind as the remnants of Hurricane Ike pushed up into the north.
As the race progressed, the weather turned really ugly, with 60mph wind gusts lashing the track, and heavy rains flooding the corners. Astro-turf was stripped from the corners, and some airfence came loose from the walls. Thankfully the race was red-flagged before things got really ugly...
Race control decided to call it a race due to standing water, and the airfence not being able to be replaced quickly. As much as we would have enjoyed an 8 lap sprint, I think it was the right decsion. The weather was absolutely brutal...the published reports really don't do it justice. Mad props to Rossi for not raising a hand when he probably had every right to. When you read the internet reports...multiply the bad conditions a couple of times and you might be close to how tough the conditions were...
It was a spectacular race, probably one of the wildest Grand Prix races on record, with Rossi absolutely proving why he is the "Greatest of All Time". I can't imagine a more fitting winner at the inaugural Indy GP...
We are already looking forward to 2009...
Last edited by Baketech; 09-18-2008 at 05:37 PM.
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."
On Monday after the race, group ticket holders were allowed to take a lap of the GP circuit. Apparently I should have got up earlier, as the first few sessions were un-paced... According to the track marshalls, there were too many wheelies and high speed passes, so they had to shut things down and use pace vehicles...
Even so it was an amazing chance to ride the track and see things first hand...
Even with the slow pace, we somehow managed to get left behind a couple of times and were forced to hustle a bit to catch back up to the group... T3-4. IMG_3175 2008-09-15 Track Lap.JPG
It was another crummy day for weather, but the track was dry and we got to make a couple of laps because we were 2-up.
It was a bit shocking to see how wide the track was...and even more shocking to see just how wide the race lines are. I rode on them a couple of times and was gobsmacked to imagine just how damned fast you would have to be travelling to use that much track...phenomenal really...they are circus freaks for sure...
Last edited by Baketech; 09-18-2008 at 01:40 PM.
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."
In the end it was a mind-numbing 5 days at the track. In some ways not unlike the heyday of the CART era when we would spend nearly the whole month of May up at IMS...
I think the Speedway did a top notch job of bringing MotoGP to the heartland, and can't imagine much they could have done better even with the terrible weather we had. I've read a few quotes from racers saying they don't remember an inaugural event that went as well. Indianapolis and IMS know racing, and they know how to hold an event, so with any luck they will keep the event on the calendar.
I know there was a lot of discussion going in about the track, and I think most of those fears were put to rest. Still, I think IMS is committed to making any required changes to continue elevating the safety level.
While I was rooting for a Hayden win, I was more than happy to see Rossi on the top step. I think that sentiment was echoed by the crowd when he made the pass in difficult conditions and made it stick. From his dogged determination in practice, to the sportsmanship he showed in the face of adversity, this victory puts him in good company with the other winners of inaugural events at Indy...Harroun, Gordon, Schumacher, and Rossi....the best of the best...
On top of all that, it was great to spend the weekend with some of my 2-wheel friends and meet a few new ones. I hope you are already making plans to be in Indy in 2009...
Last edited by Baketech; 09-19-2008 at 05:11 AM.
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."
What - no pics from the Honda tent of the 2012 model VFR?
Great wrap-up and great pics! Looking forward to next year (and better weather). Maybe we can put a group purchase together on a block of parking for motorcycles closer to the track than the backstretch - that was a fargin' hike.
Incognito: An Italian phrase meaning "Nice Gearchange!"
Bake,
Thanks for a great time! I was happy to meet everyone and put faces to names. I am already getting ready for next year and trying to get a track bike for Grattan. It was really cool talking to everyone. Thanks to all who answered a bunch of questions. It was awesome to learn from a bunch that knows way more about racing than I do. Now to learn at a track day.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
Excellent write up and pics! 
Originally Posted by BizJetGuy
Bookmarks