Anyone in to Grand Prix motorcycle racing?

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I'm going to be heading over to Laguna Seca this weekend for the MotoGP round of a pretty good season of racing. Any other 2 wheel race fans out there? If you've never watched a race, you guys are missing out. 200+ MPH motorcycles are something to see!

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

No one!? Am I the lone rider here at Reefland?! Don't tell me everyone only likes NASCAR ! For those interested SPEEDTV is broadcasting the race Sun Jul 24 @ 5:00pm ET. Maybe you guys will hear me screaming like a little girl at a an American idol concert when they line up on the starting grid.

[Original Fin]

I'd be pretty useless as a Moto GP fan I'm afraid. As my wife likes to point out recently, she's glad she married a guy who's into fish and not sports.


I rode dirtbikes, quads and even rolled the occasional three wheeler when I was a kid, but I guess I just got into other things and never got back on bikes since. I am most familiar with Laguna Seca virtually...from the Grand Turismo games. It is by far the hardest track to master in that game.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

My wife's is still pissed that I took on another hobby besides street bikes. Before reefing (and marriage), I would take my bike to the track 10 days a year, costing around $300-$400 a day. Now, I'm lucky to sneak in 2 days a year. The races coming to laguna seca every year remind me just how much I love riding and gives me the itch to get back out on the track. I haven had a chance to ride laguna yet. They require stock exhaust pipes and the fee is roughly double the cost than other tracks but because it's so close, and such a world class track, I'd be a fool not to spend some time around those turns. I just gotta get some stock pipes.

[SouthBayPhoto]

FoMoCo - If it helps you out at all...my other "normal" screen name on certain other boards is usually R1_Demon...so that should give you a hint. ;-)

I love MotoGP/WSBK/AMA. Unfortunately haven't made it out to Laguna yet to watch them race, but catch it on SPEED whenever I can. I also shoot the races and trackdays when they are local, but it's been a while. I hit a trackday whenever I can, but have fallen on hard times as of late, so I haven't made too many trackdays this year.

Feel free to check out some of my pics I have taken of the track days I've shot...including the AMA races. Some might be old, but I hope you enjoy them...

Home > Sports Gallery - South Bay Photography Image Gallery

There are a few different sections of sportbike (as well as MX) racing, so it's not all in one section.

Take care and keep the rubber side down!
Mat

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Hey, great pictures! It was a pretty good turnout at the laguna GP round this year. Lots of good racing. Stoner has been unstoppable. Cant wait to see what happens on the bigger bikes next year.I just finished a trackday at Thunder Hill Raceway, earlier this month. I havent been out in over two years. It was fun trying to get back to speed until i tucked the front and pretty much trashed most of the bike. The main parts ( engine, trans, frame, swingarm) are okay but everything else needs to be replaced. Ive seen other's bikes tumble and have less damage. It's an 07 R1 and luckily, i still insure it. I might total it out because i priced all the parts and its gonna come out to near $4,500 to get it back to its glory. I may just pick up a newer bike next year instead.

[SouthBayPhoto]

James - Thanks for the compliments on the pictures. Sorry to hear about the bike though. Ouch! I've always loved the R1's since my first one in 03 (it was an 02 left over from stock). My current one is an 05. I've been down in my 02 a few times, so I know what you're talking about. It's weird how some bikes can almost do a darn highside and don't get too much damage, but others can do a lowside and be toast.

As long as you're okay though, that's what matters. Hopefully things work out with the bike and you get on two soon. I've never been up to Thunder Hill but heard it's an awesome track to run. I've only been to Auto Club Speedway (formerly California Speedway), Willow Springs International Raceway, and Las Vegas Classic Course. I'm hoping that when I get the money again to hit Chuckwalla and Buttonwillow with some friends. I was actually off a bike for 5 years before I got my current one, so I can understand how you feel.

Take care!

[mcoleman]

I am not that into moto gp but it really is amazing once they turn sideways. I am a big fan of F1 though, but I am not that convinced that they are getting the top drivers always, as it still is a good combination of skills and money for you to land driving sits on teams. Harsh truth actually. Next season, Kimi will be driving for Lotus Renault again after 2 years of absence in the sport.