Who went to WSBK @ Laguna Seca this weekend and what did you think?

[KevinB]

Was there Sat/Sun with my wife and 4 week old son.

I was glad to catch the AMA as I'm a big fan of what they do. They are fackin' fast. They are aliens compared to your typical expert club racer. I think the top 5ish riders in AMA SBK would be competitive in WSBK all things being equal.

I have mixed feelings about attending a race. It's actually better to watch the race from the WSBK stream at home, as you get great coverage. Where as at the track you barely know what's going on except for the parts of the track you can see and whatever it says on the scoreboard - which was hardly even updated correctly during the races. But there is something special about being there, smelling the race gas fumes, hearing and seeing the bikes in person laying down black streaks, hearing the traction control sputtering as they try to drive harder than traction allows. So I'll go for that experience whenever I can.

I enjoyed Laguna Seca, my first time there. The top of the hill was a cool place to be - see the corkscrew on one side and quite a lot of the track on the other side. Though I preferred to hang by the fence at t-4 for close proximity to the bikes and watching the struggle to drive hard out of it.

While it was somewhat luxurious to pretty much have the run of the place due to small attendance - it is a shame more people weren't there.

I would go again.

 

[Johndicezx9]

One way to look at MotoGP vs WSBK vs AMA is

The Show vs Minors vs High school

WSBK is Triple A if it's the minors...

WSBK can definitely use an infusion of Foggy-like personality.... in 1995 before the first WSBK race they ran ads with the quote that Fogarty gave after losing to Russell at Daytona about how he hated racing in the US (a serendipitous- for Russell- pace car allowed Russell to catch up after a first lap crash), and that fired up the masses to attend. It also helped that the Doohan years weren't exactly the most exciting years in 500cc/MotoGP after the battles between Lawson-Rainey-Schwantz- et al.

If the Honda/Marquez dominace continues, and Rossi decides to retire after his contract extension is up, WSBK could make headway, IF Dorna lets it.

 

[banshee01]

Had come up on my Facebook feed yesterday:

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news...ce-up-20-spoiler-alert/#.U8NCatRyKco.facebook

Thank you

 

[ToraTora]

Still Lots of Fun

.

 

[banshee01]

They probably did not show the AMA races on the screen because of the tv equipment there? They don't have a tv deal right? You have to stream the AMA races now?

 

[firstbuell]

They probably did not show the AMA races on the screen because of the tv equipment there? They don't have a tv deal right? You have to stream the AMA races now?

no, it's worse than that:

[1] AMA Pro's FanschoiceTV wasn't present
[2] soccer isn't as important as anything M/C-related on the Bigtrons

 

[uncle burnie]

.​

Semi-Redundant Overview:

• Seeing the race up close was awesome!
• Getting in & out on Sunday was a breeze.
• Soccer in between races was great but during the race was unprofessional.
• The crowds were light and everybody was easy going.
• Relive the experience of the race on TV later, next year there should be more BARF and less dry heaving.
• Was introduced to fellow BARF’rs in meatspace. That was cool. Greetings!

Net-Net:

It was a great day at the track.




At a glimpse:

Listening to the exotic metals orchestra from each machine as it blazed down into Rainey Curve (dba T9) was pure music.





A solo racer low sided into the corkscrew (no pic). The corner marshals gathered up his bike as he regained his composure. An overwhelming roar of encouragement from the crowd sent him off to pursue the fight.

Later, I wandered into the SBK post race paddock interview. Everybody was pretty animated, especially Sykes. That guy was out of the fnckin box. They discussed the races.* Every racer was a good sport and gave props to others where props had been earned. It was made clear that the mid season break was getting kicked off with some frosty beers and the chance to regroup for the 2nd half of the season. When it was time to say goodbye, the fans rallied with big applause and the like. In exchange, our adoration for them was gracefully received and returned in kind.

The Moto Gods held back the marine layer and kept us cool with a mild breeze throughout most of the day.

It’s hard to tell from this picture but there were like zero chicken strips on those tires. iJoke

Coming into it with low expectations, the Corkscrew Ale at $6 a pint was quite tasty.




*Race critique should continue to be covered by those who can do it justice.




e.o.r.

 

[budman]

DORNA owns the TV. DORNA is 100% about money. Fans really are only dollar signs.

Since the AMA would not pay to play "no Soup for you" (TV coverage). They did film because executive suites got the feed. Fans did not.

I love racing and have been to most moto events at Laguna since 72.
This was a good show. Fun day for sure. I did pimp a beer. Had to have someone buy me one. Hi Carrie thanks!

Laguna has its hands tied in so many ways. Sad. While Texas and Indiana put State money into their race tracks all California can do is collect fees and give attendees tickets on the way home.

Makes me sad that racing is just a footnote in my home state and it is only because some foreigners love to make money off the sport that we get to even see it at a top level.

So many volunteers make it happen and the get pennies while the big D lines their pockets.
Not mad at them for sure. They give us fans what we want and are willing to pay for.

I believe WSBK will rise again. Now that MotoGP is really a done deal this should gain traction. If it does not like someone else said. We only have ourselves to blame.

BTW: The 5 or 6 guys riding Honda 50's around the track made me smile for sure.

Good fun.

 

[ratpick]

Was there for Friday afternoon and all day Saturday and Sunday. About half the Motogp size crowd on Sunday. Fewer vendors and large hospitality areas meant you could get see so much more of the track than at MotoGP. Less signage, too. Best part is you are up close to the track and get a fantastic view of how hard these racers are pushing the bikes. Nothing like being there. You get sounds and views you will never see on TV.

Johndicezx9 covered most of the highlights for me. The fan access to the rider interviews in the paddock were really cool. None of the gates and fences behind the garages like MotoGP. It was easy to get around and view from different locations. Weather could not have been better. Been going to Laguna since the late '80s and always love being there.

Oh, and seeing the light bar fall off that Dodge Charger Safety Car at 100 mph before the 2nd restart of Race 2 was hilarious and scary at the same time.

That was bizarre ! And that big chink of red plastic left laying in track was scary,thought a corner worker would run out and pick it up . It was about a foot off the racing line into 5 and when the bikes came back around it was blown off the track

 

[Noah's Dad]

That was bizarre ! And that big chink of red plastic left laying in track was scary,thought a corner worker would run out and pick it up . It was about a foot off the racing line into 5 and when the bikes came back around it was blown off the track

A few of us were watching the race from T5 and heard the scraping as the car went by. I originally thought it was dragging a piece of body work. What is it with Laguna and cars creating drama (can't remember what year it was when the "safety car" was on the other side of T1 because of a red flag but that was a good one too).

WSBK at Laguna was a great weekend. Weather was great, the riders were accessible and the fans that were there really did get to see some amazing riding. I was pleased to see attendance up by 20% and hope that it will encourage WSBK to keep coming back.

 

[CrazyGenius]

That was bizarre ! And that big chink of red plastic left laying in track was scary,thought a corner worker would run out and pick it up . It was about a foot off the racing line into 5 and when the bikes came back around it was blown off the track

I saw those 2 pieces of plastic too. I worked the corners last year : we were told, made to repeat it thousands of times: NEVER get on a live track ! Yup, our natural reaction is wanting to remove that but... safety first !

Agree with what has been said in this thread about the lack of a crowd, ease of access to and leaving the race track. Sunday attendance was twice as much as Saturday's.

My first weekend as a spectator : thoroughly enjoyable and fun, capped by the contest win of my bike entry !!

Kawasaki Contest: Help a pair of BARFers win at Laguna Seca

Met and made new friends with common for our sport !!

Since I was riding the 250 down on Sat, thought about getting there early enough to participate... but didn't join in the fan ride at noon time.

Will definitely either make plans to return to watch the race next year ... OR work the corners again !!

Cold beer was good to be had with friends... and still am happy I brought a 9oz flask of rum to share ! So much fun to enjoy Sunday without having to drive.

Thanks John (m0t0 ryder) for that pic of the hawt bleached blond !! I clearly remember seeing her blowing kisses...

Wish I witnessed the Budman beer fail though !

 

[fast4d]

what pissed me off second time in a row is no access to pit walk. what kind of vip do I have to be?

at miller Troy corser and others signed auto graph posters during pit walk.

 

[Hoho]

what pissed me off second time in a row is no access to pit walk. what kind of vip do I have to be?

at miller Troy corser and others signed auto graph posters during pit walk.

What pass did you have? I was able to go on the pit walk on Sunday at noon... I had the passes that Budman was offering to BARF earlier.

 

[CrazyGenius]

what pissed me off second time in a row is no access to pit walk. what kind of vip do I have to be?

at miller Troy corser and others signed auto graph posters during pit walk.

The Gold passes that Pirelli gave BARF ( Budman was raising fund for CHP 11-99 with those ) DO include pit walk & paddock.

I also saw folks walking around with a big red paddock access pass in vinyl pouch.

 

[Rhinoclemmys]

I went again with my wife. I think the racing was better this year but the vendor area was worse. Wish I would had put on some more sunblock bc I got pretty burnt.

 

[amphora001]

what pissed me off second time in a row is no access to pit walk. what kind of vip do I have to be?

at miller Troy corser and others signed auto graph posters during pit walk.

I definitely feel you there. I thought I had full access given that I got the pad lock pass, but no, there's like a half dozen color passes and I'm completely confused. Just tell me how much I gotta pay for the ultimate pass and let me get all access. What's up with one pass for this area, and another pass to get into this area, especially when it's not even crowded.

 

[akacastle]

I liked the checkered Honda 50 best, yes they made me chuckle also.

 

[VroomVroomVroom]

thought it was pretty cool, not too crowded, some good Zooming on track, nice sounds, the EBR's are funny, traction control and wheelie control are for posers! (or is it the people that want to survive!), I'm glad nobody got seriously hurt (from what I understand)! hearing the FZ-07 engine rumble like a 90degree engine was good to hear!

here is a vid I made from my action cam: http://youtu.be/AxK-W78YPW4

 

[day004]

DORNA owns the TV. DORNA is 100% about money. Fans really are only dollar signs.


Laguna has its hands tied in so many ways. Sad. While Texas and Indiana put State money into their race tracks all California can do is collect fees and give attendees tickets on the way home.

Makes me sad that racing is just a footnote in my home state and it is only because some foreigners love to make money off the sport that we get to even see it at a top level.

True. But MotoGP didn't figure into either states decision to use taxpayer dollars to build or modify a racetrack. 2 words.

Bernie Eccelstone.

F1 money make MotoGP look paltry in comparison.

 

[CrumpetRocket]

I had a great time at superbikes. Yeah it was less busy but it was nice to be able to move around. I feel like it was a good mix of last year's GP and SBK.