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Thread: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

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    Senior Member tecknojoe's Avatar
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    MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    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



    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


    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


    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

    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



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

    De Puniet


    Dovi


    Lorenzo (My look alike brother)


    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.


    Colin Edwards, one of my favorite riders. He fucking rules.
    #703

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    Senior Member tecknojoe's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    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.





    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.



    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.


    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)


    Disalvo was there



    Rainey:


    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:



    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.

    #703

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    Senior Member tecknojoe's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    For all you BMW weiners:



    ‪video 2011 07 22 09 54 38‬‏ - YouTube

    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



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



    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



    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.



    I'm hotter than Bautista:



    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.



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



    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.



    ‪video 2011 07 22 17 51 00‬‏ - YouTube
    #703

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    Senior Member tecknojoe's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

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



    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

    ‪Rossi's bike.mp4‬‏ - YouTube

    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



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



    More womenz:

    caught the girl on the bike 'adjusting'


    King Kenny!

    ‪video 2011 07 24 13 01 22‬‏ - YouTube

    I like:



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



    We get back to the camper meeting area to get paid



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




    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
    #703

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    Princess of Prius Sean's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

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

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    Gold Member salsashark's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    We were behind that guy with the sombrero...

    Unless there was more than one corner worker wearing them.
    Do not put off living the life you dream of. Next year may never come. If we are always waiting for something to change...
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    Senior Member tecknojoe's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    The end result:

    #703

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    Senior Member tecknojoe's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Quote Originally Posted by salsashark View Post
    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
    #703

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    Gold Member madvlad's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Nice dude, im jealous. Thats one kickass weekend fo sho!
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    What an experience!
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    Senior Member Ted's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Best trip report Ever.......
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    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!
    "That which does not kill you only postpones the inevitable."

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    Gold Member salsashark's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Quote Originally Posted by tecknojoe View Post
    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
    Do not put off living the life you dream of. Next year may never come. If we are always waiting for something to change...
    Retirement, the kids to leave home, the weather or the economy, that's not living. That's waiting!
    Waiting will only leaves us with unrealized dreams and empty wishes.

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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    So jealous! Pics look great and what a great experience. Thanks for sharing with us plebeians lol.
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    Huge Member Site Admin Mother Goose's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Bad ass.
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    Member oh10raven's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

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

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    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Nice, great insider's report.

    All I got were pics of umbrella girls. *sigh*
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    Senior Member Matrix's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Sounds like an amazing time...Much jealousy!!
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    Senior Member ChrisCBX's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Great pix and report.

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

  20. #20
    I'm pumped... Let's let the healing begin! Lifetime Supporter ~Barn~'s Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    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!

    Briana Banks wasn't there by chance, was she?
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    Senior Member tecknojoe's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Quote Originally Posted by ~Barn~ View Post
    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!

    Briana Banks wasn't there by chance, was she?
    nah, but de puniet's girlfriend did the trick

    Quote Originally Posted by asp_125 View Post
    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

    Quote Originally Posted by salsashark View Post
    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
    #703

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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    Awesome! Good on ya mate.
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    Senior Member drago52's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    freakin' sweet.
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    Senior Member sprtbkbabe's Avatar
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    Re: MotoGP trip report: Laguna Seca

    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
    Last edited by sprtbkbabe; Wed Jul 27th, 2011 at 02:59 PM.
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