MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

[tecknojoe]

My story of how I met a bunch of the GP riders, and more.

Flew from Denver to BallSacramento. High tailed it to San Fran for the night. Ate dinner at some trendy place on the water, watched the sunset. It was more romantic and shit
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Woke up and ate our free breakfast since the hotel was shitty, then drove down to Laguna. Got there mid afternoon Thursday and decided to cruise the pits instead of going into town to see monterey.

Parked up near the corkscrew
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5976267636_40d3f2d010_z.jpg

We walked up to the paddock area that was gated off and found out that our tickets being stamped with the cornerworking org name meant that we were allowed though, SWEET! We were able to walk up to the gates surrounding the rider tent area and the garages. Of course we were blocked from physically walking in though. I found my favorite spot fast and snapped a pic
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/5975705301_36c214d207_z.jpg

I went around the building to see if we could walk up to the front of the garage. blast, we were denied, but allowed to peek around the corner to see the press and other shit going on. They lined up all the Jyamahas and took a pic. I saw Spies and Lorenzo. They were running bikes too which was awesome. I have to say, hearing these things in person is fucking unbelievable. They sound completely different from anything else.

‪Warming up the bikes.mp4‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSTub4koRM8)

As soon as Spies walked into the garage, I took a guess that he was going to walk from the back of the garage to the tent (the area I was allowed to go to). Sure enough, BOOM

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5975706685_3e234a80df_z.jpg

Very cool. Am excite at this point. Started looking around for more riders. I got everyone I could:

De Puniet
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/5975705511_40ac505c68_z.jpg

Dovi
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5975707145_87be86e7a5_z.jpg

Lorenzo (My look alike brother)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/5976270622_1003cbfe7b_z.jpg

Simoncelli. Even though I hate him as a rider, he's pretty nice to the fans. I asserted my dominance by putting my arm over his, just to let him know who's boss.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/5976270200_0418df1d1a_z.jpg

Colin Edwards, one of my favorite riders. He fucking rules.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/5976269598_633d494604_z.jpg

[tecknojoe]

Rossi came out and talked to Simoncelli. The crowd went fucking bananas. After a quick word, he signed a handfull of autographs but took off for a press interview. I got very close, but he left before I could get him to sign. Rest assured I try again later in the weekend.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5975707323_9a0c2c7a27_z.jpg

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We headed over to the motogp press tent and waited for 40 minutes for all the riders to come out. Stoner got mobbed! He only signed a couple quick autographs(he's notorious for not signing anything), then jumped on the scooter with his wife and took off. This is as close as I got to him. Damnit.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5975708183_d9e73fb091_z.jpg

We went around the other areas of the pit to see AMA bikes, electric bikes, etc:

Eric Buell's new 1190RS carbon fiber. facking crazy. His team was out there racing this weekend.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/5975706067_2022dbffb6_z.jpg

The electric bikes are starting to look pretty cool. This is the bike that won the race. It was 7 seconds slower than Josh Hayes' time. They are starting to get very very fast. (mike cyz or however you spell it, came in second)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5975706255_e110597c19_z.jpg

Disalvo was there

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5975705859_f5714a5015_z.jpg

Rainey:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5975706467_c3429da478_z.jpg

OK, time to set up camp. Got up after a few hours sleep and met with the cornerworkers. We're off to work for the day:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/5975711035_5fddce08f0_z.jpg

I was posted in turn 1. I could see almost the entire track which was awesome, including turn 2, so I got to see all the action.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5976265362_edd66c2757_z.jpg

[tecknojoe]

For all you BMW weiners:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5976266124_40d7af896a_z.jpg

‪video 2011 07 22 09 54 38‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZDzli-09wM)

First bikes came out for practice. It was so cool to see the guys from tv actually right there in front of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHr1kjfJFQU

During lunch on friday, we return to the paddock to get more autographs. THIS is where shit gets good. We found out that cornerworkers get super secret gangsta ninja access, and we were allowed behind the baracades in front of the garages, and we were allowed behind the fence in the rider tent area. We propped up here and got some more signatures:

Ran into Cal Crutchlow

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/5975708431_226720c330_z.jpg

Nicky signs a kid's head then comes and says hi:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6011/5975708919_a0628fac2c_z.jpg

You can see the fence behind us. There's where the crowd gathered. Being allowed back there kicked ass because I was first in line every time

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5975709223_592281d2ab_z.jpg

Pedrosa is tiny. This is where I got a glimpse of what it's like for a GP rider. I let him walk by and do his after practice interview. Then got the signature when he was done. As soon as he walked in behind the fence, you could see the stress on his face. He was focused and talking to some guy in a honda shirt. The media drags him back and forth. He lets out a big sigh and deep breath just before speaking. I felt bad for the guy. Now I really understand how much these guys have to deal with.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5976272002_d82cc53379_z.jpg

I'm hotter than Bautista:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5975708707_99e2678b8b_z.jpg

Then I hear the crowd go fucking crazy behind the fence. I knew it was Rossi. He signed for a couple minutes then came back to the rider's area. He went straight through to the interview spot and got mobbed by the media.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/5975703067_4f093d5770_z.jpg

After that, I watched him walk towards his camper. I ran over really fast, gave my girlfriend my camera, and...

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5976272274_370135002b_z.jpg

Am excite. after signing he went to his trailer and I went and touched myself.

After Saturday practice and qualifying, I managed to run up and snap a pic and vid of some of the hondas being worked on. Cornerworkers get secret gangsta access so I walked right up as close as I wanted.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5976273430_3096725c39_z.jpg

‪video 2011 07 22 17 51 00‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX6tO-oi5_Y)

[tecknojoe]

Walking back to the meeting area after the day is over. snapped a pic of my future bike:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5976272496_7783c54c6f_z.jpg

They were working on Rossi's bike, so I ran over and got vid. I was able to walk right up to it. we then got kicked out but not after this :lol:

‪Rossi's bike.mp4‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFAtYfg8Vy8)

Race day:

I believe this is from warm up of race day. either way it's all the motogp bikes. unbelievable

‪video 2011 07 23 10 10 06‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt5BVsb8BI4)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5976266316_91cf8c4cdf_z.jpg

Sunday during lunch just before the race, we head over again. I got this:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5975704201_7501a3f559_z.jpg

More womenz:

caught the girl on the bike 'adjusting' :lol:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5976272918_88d0a563fa_z.jpg

King Kenny!

‪video 2011 07 24 13 01 22‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09sXTazOisc)

I like:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/5976273140_883d93cf52_z.jpg

I snag a pic on the way in after the race:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5976266950_1e23876174_z.jpg

We get back to the camper meeting area to get paid

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My gf and I grabbed a free Heinekin and watched the garages get packed up after a long, very sick, weekend.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5976267424_165afed415_z.jpg


It was a trip unlike any other. All the things I saw, the sound of the bikes, seeing my favorite riders on the bikes, and meeting them afterwards. The level of riding was fucking amazing. Those guys are so smooth. They have so much control, they really make it look effortless. even on the AMA side, the riding was intense.


Go to a GP event. It is a must do at least once in your life. Especially if you're a race fan.

Joe

[Sean]

Wow, seems like an awesome weekend! What a great experience. :hump:

[salsashark]

We were behind that guy with the sombrero...

Unless there was more than one corner worker wearing them.

[tecknojoe]

The end result:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5976907628_a648768de7_z.jpg

[tecknojoe]

We were behind that guy with the sombrero...

Unless there was more than one corner worker wearing them.

i think there was only 1. was he in turn 1? I think one of the guys I was working with had it on for a minute

[madvlad]

Nice dude, im jealous. Thats one kickass weekend fo sho!

[gtn]

What an experience!

[Ted]

Best trip report Ever.......

[Cars-R-Coffins]

Sweet photos and vids! Much better than seeing a bunch of blurry race pics. Looks like you got the majority of MotoGP riders autographs too... NICE!

[salsashark]

i think there was only 1. was he in turn 1? I think one of the guys I was working with had it on for a minute

Yup...

Glad you had fun

[bornwildnfree]

So jealous! Pics look great and what a great experience. Thanks for sharing with us plebeians lol.

[Mother Goose]

Bad ass. :applause:

[oh10raven]

Great write-up, thanks for sharing. Sounds like a hell of a trip!

[asp_125]

Nice, great insider's report.

All I got were pics of umbrella girls. *sigh*

[Matrix]

Sounds like an amazing time...Much jealousy!!

[ChrisCBX]

Great pix and report.

It was our 4th year there. Hope to be back again next year as well.

[~Barn~]

This reminds me of my 2005 MotoGP recap. I didn't do the cornerwork gig, but I can definitely relate to the fun you must have had. Good stuff! :up:

Briana Banks wasn't there by chance, was she? :D

[tecknojoe]

This reminds me of my 2005 MotoGP recap. I didn't do the cornerwork gig, but I can definitely relate to the fun you must have had. Good stuff! :up:

Briana Banks wasn't there by chance, was she? :D

nah, but de puniet's girlfriend did the trick :lol:


Nice, great insider's report.

All I got were pics of umbrella girls. *sigh*

That's why I'm glad I cornerworked. I really enjoy doing it, but even for someone that doesn't: the worst that happens is that you're forced to watch every lap all 3 days. not too bad if you ask me :)


Yup...

Glad you had fun

Then you were right above me. Did you see me run out a few minutes before the race and grab tear offs? The crowd started cheering and blowing horns :lol:

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Awesome! Good on ya mate.

[drago52]

freakin' sweet.

[sprtbkbabe]

Those are great pics! What an experience

*btw: I had a couple Aprilia friends working with ya, one in T2.4, picked up Bautista's bike