Moto GP gone from Laguna Seca / Mazda Raceway

[littlebeast]

experienced multiple fuck ups at laguna this weekend. was sent hiking all over the track to talk to various people who directed me to somewhere else to someone else who was equally unable to straighten out the issue. went in circles. not hard to imagine they can't get their shit together enough to retain the GP. which is fucked up. it's an iconic track in one of the most beautiful places in the world. if it needs another half mile - figure out how to add it.

 

[Ozymandias]

I'd be interested to know if MotoGP is charging all the tracks $800k. If they are, then I would think that would be a bit of a rip off since we got MotGP and then AMA. Not MotoGP alone with Moto2 and Moto3. LS probably had to pay AMA as well or some sort of crap there to get that worked out.

 

[Tharkûn]

The article said 'increased by $800k'

That's a lot of coin. He says 9 mil to put the event on, 120k people at $50 each is only 6 mil. And correct me if I'm wrong but that '120k' figure is just all three days added up? So only like 60k in individual tickets?

 

[Caddywumpus]

Tickets run about 50 a day, each day costs more or less. like for 40 for friday, 60 for saturday, 70 for sunday, or 120 for all 3. or 90 for 2.

It costs a lot. Even with an ARMY of volunteers.

 

[Map8]

Tickets run about 50 a day, each day costs more or less. like for 40 for friday, 60 for saturday, 70 for sunday, or 120 for all 3. or 90 for 2.

It costs a lot. Even with an ARMY of volunteers.

Cheap compared to any stick and ball sport where you're locked into a seat and get maybe two hours of entertainment.

 

[Caddywumpus]

I was refering to the cost of running a track.

 

[weasel]

What happens to the yearly reserved camp sites? Bam! You get them for WSBK?

On that note. did they have Moto camping on Fox Hill for the race?

 

[Ozymandias]

Ouch. I missed the "raised by.." part

Tickets aren't exactly cheap, though. Plus there's camping that many people do. And concessions, and the extras like paddock passes.

Too bad we can't get the county to just sell the track to someone.

 

[flying_hun]

Damn. This sucks on so many levels. None more than Indy is the worst track on the calendar IMO...

This.

For the money one would spend to go to COTA, or God-forbid, Indy, just bump it up a bit and head across the pond to see some real roads racing. Or, save your money and see some flat track, which is a hell of a show.

Anyway you cut it, fuck DORNA. :|

 

[Map8]

I see a lot of people looking for someone to blame; the AMA, SCRAMP and local residents. I'm looking straight at Dorna for attempting to turn motorcycle racing into a gazillion dollar enterprise like F1. Corporate suite-laden paddocks with limited access for regular fans, multi-million dollar sanction fees, exclusive broadcast packages, trackside signage blocking viewing areas, etc. Assen has already been hacked up and is no longer moto-only. How long will tracks like Laguna and Assen last against gleeming shopping malls like Indy and COTA? Dorna has also been steadily marginalizing WSBK. Not exclusive enough and perceived competition for MotoGP? What is the benefit to us fans and consumers? Nothing. Fewer races, more expense and less access. Thanks.

 

[GPzPop]

The article said 'increased by $800k'

That's a lot of coin. He says 9 mil to put the event on, 120k people at $50 each is only 6 mil. And correct me if I'm wrong but that '120k' figure is just all three days added up? So only like 60k in individual tickets?

Gill is a lady. short for Gillian, pronounced " Jill "

 

[flying_hun]

I see a lot of people looking for someone to blame; the AMA, SCRAMP and local residents. I'm looking straight at Dorna for trying to attempting to turn motorcycle racing into a gazillion dollar enterprise like F1. Corporate suite-laden paddocks with limited access for regular fans, multi-million dollar sanction fees, exclusive broadcast packages, trackside signage blocking viewing areas, etc. Assen has already been hacked up and is no longer moto-only. How long will tracks like Laguna and Assen last against gleeming shopping malls like Indy and COTA? Dorna has also been steadily marginalizing WSBK. Not exclusive enough and perceived competition for MotoGP? What is the benefit to us fans and consumers? Nothing. Fewer races, more expense and less access. Thanks.

This. Nail hit squarely on the head.

 

[Tharkûn]

I see a lot of people looking for someone to blame; the AMA, SCRAMP and local residents. I'm looking straight at Dorna for trying to attempting to turn motorcycle racing into a gazillion dollar enterprise like F1. Corporate suite-laden paddocks with limited access for regular fans, multi-million dollar sanction fees, exclusive broadcast packages, trackside signage blocking viewing areas, etc. Assen has already been hacked up and is no longer moto-only. How long will tracks like Laguna and Assen last against gleeming shopping malls like Indy and COTA? Dorna has also been steadily marginalizing WSBK. Not exclusive enough and perceived competition for MotoGP? What is the benefit to us fans and consumers? Nothing. Fewer races, more expense and less access. Thanks.

+1, sucks

Gill is a lady. short for Gillian, pronounced " Jill "

I stand corrected

 

[Johndicezx9]

I see a lot of people looking for someone to blame; the AMA, SCRAMP and local residents. I'm looking straight at Dorna for attempting to turn motorcycle racing into a gazillion dollar enterprise like F1. Corporate suite-laden paddocks with limited access for regular fans, multi-million dollar sanction fees, exclusive broadcast packages, trackside signage blocking viewing areas, etc. Assen has already been hacked up and is no longer moto-only. How long will tracks like Laguna and Assen last against gleeming shopping malls like Indy and COTA? Dorna has also been steadily marginalizing WSBK. Not exclusive enough and perceived competition for MotoGP? What is the benefit to us fans and consumers? Nothing. Fewer races, more expense and less access. Thanks.

Well stated, Steve!

Manufactures need to step up to raise the cred of the series, as they did when 500cc/MotoGP was lagging and superbike ruled in the mid and late 90's.

Suzuki and Kawi never had a chance in MotoGP, they should focus on Superbike racing, Aprilia should also reconsider working towards MotoGP, the cost of development is just too immense for any real benefit.

If Laguna gets a mid-summer date, and actually markets the race (I didn't see many adverts or promo's for this WSBK race), it could become an event. add in a couple of contending US riders, boom, the crowd will grow, and everything else follows.

 

[iamjr2]

I'll start with I have been enjoying LS since the mid 1980's been to 14 of the 15 GPs there.

Secondly, SCRAMP, and Gil (BTW, she's a woman) have done amazing things given the resources available to a county owned park / facility.

But... If it weren't for Yamaha and folks like Wayne Rainey, the track would have never been expanded to it current length, and safety levels, and LS would have always been a boutique track for the Ferrari and Porsche guys to drive their cars...

Now LS did help establish that MotoGp is a viable entertainment in the US, but others with deeper pockets are going to be doing a better job.

And it's as much the overall location that's as important as the track... Austin consumed this years GP, without batting an eye, with discount walk up rooms available that weekend. Indy is like this too...

Prices... OK going to get in trouble with many here, but it was cheaper to go to Austin this year than to LS last year (& the wife and I go DORNA VIP), and Austin was a much nicer experience. The folks I know in Austin thought the prices were pretty reasonable compared to other events in Austin (SXSW , ACL). Also, given the level of talent we get to see tickets are pretty reasonable compared to the stick and ball prices...

So, LS has always seemed to be on borrowed time to me. I'll miss it and come back if races return.

 

[Archimedes]

I see a lot of people looking for someone to blame; the AMA, SCRAMP and local residents. I'm looking straight at Dorna for attempting to turn motorcycle racing into a gazillion dollar enterprise like F1. Corporate suite-laden paddocks with limited access for regular fans, multi-million dollar sanction fees, exclusive broadcast packages, trackside signage blocking viewing areas, etc. Assen has already been hacked up and is no longer moto-only. How long will tracks like Laguna and Assen last against gleeming shopping malls like Indy and COTA? Dorna has also been steadily marginalizing WSBK. Not exclusive enough and perceived competition for MotoGP? What is the benefit to us fans and consumers? Nothing. Fewer races, more expense and less access. Thanks.

But that's the reality of selling entertainment today. You can ignore it and go down the tubes like AMA racing, or you can accept it and offer a product that fits. Every successful racing series on the planet realizes it's about the total show and attracting money to the sport, not just the action on the track.

While Laguna is probably my favorite place on earth and I think Indy is a total joke for moto racing, both due to the track and the lack of fan support, it does not surprise me in the least that Laguna lost MotoGP. It is an awesome track, but it has third world facilities and the simple fact is, a government owned, non-profit track isn't a good partner for the business of big time racing anymore.

Let's just hope that WSB stays a while. It's better racing anyway.

 

[/dev/null]

The facilities at Laguna Seca are ass. The only thing world class about Laguna Seca is the track itself. They want to increase attendance, they need to improve everything from access to the facility to the campgrounds. $800K isn't shit to the European tracks because people actually want to go to them en masse. Laguna, it's such a huge hassle that it deters people.

 

[Map8]

But that's the reality of selling entertainment today.

Or the reality of the modern tactic of wringing every last dollar out of an entity and then casting it aside. As costs reach unsustainable levels, Dorna and the powers that be won't be hurt; they can dump racing and start the cycle again with some other sport. The racing community, tracks, promoters and fans will be left holding the bag.

Let's just hope that WSB stays a while. It's better racing anyway.

Agreed.

 

[TheRiddler]

The facilities at Laguna Seca are ass. The only thing world class about Laguna Seca is the track itself. They want to increase attendance, they need to improve everything from access to the facility to the campgrounds. $800K isn't shit to the European tracks because people actually want to go to them en masse. Laguna, it's such a huge hassle that it deters people.

Bingo. I've been twice because I like watching motorcycle racing. But with parking, finding a seat, limited viewing of the actual track, 3 hour traffic jams (in a car) to leave...I'd rather watch it on TV.

 

[boilovepho]

This is actually sad news that's affecting me..