Ever been to an actual Moto GP?

[L.L. Cool M]

Hello,

My friend and I are considering making our own way to the Phillip Island Moto GP this year. I have watched many Moto GP races on tv. I wonder if you are only at a certain point on the track for the whole race (ie: just the home straight) are they still worth attending? You don't get bored waiting to see the bikes again/miss out on most of the race? Obviously on tv you see them all the time. Can you recommend the overall experience?

If you have been to the Phillip Island GP before, can you recommend Grandstand tickets over the general admission? Where is the best place to view the action? Where can you leave valuables if you are camping at the grounds?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[NhuanH]

Definitely go. PI is the most accessible GP for Kiwis - well, until Taupo

Last year we were in the Southern Ocean stand, seeing turn 1 and the hairpin exit. Dorna are well organised and every grandstand has a big screen. This was about AUD200 or so for a 3 day pass, but if you're gonna go all the way to Melbourne...

Real trainspottas like me take in all 3 days - there is always action, especially on race day. I just love the boom of the 1000cc 4 strokes (much more impressive than World SBK). Not sure how it will be after they neuter them to 800cc next year. And it's still gonna mean something to the championship this year, even at mid-September.

But try to stay on or close to the Island - it's 2 hours by road (non bike) from Melbourne town.

PS. Istanbul rocks too, even if a bit in late April.

[35tickets]

Gidday mate

Went to the Gp in oct 2002. It was fucking awesome!! Valentino Rossi down the front straight into Doohan corner was out of this world!!!

I hired a car from Melbourne airport and drove down and camped with all the bikers there.

Ok........

1) went to the superbikes in 01 and took the bus...bad idea! It rained the whole time and everything i took camping got soaked. So its worth taking a car if you can (Europcar is cheapest) and driving down (130km) Done that a few times now. Also at the airport you'll need to pay for the use of the motorways down and back (some sort of charge) not sure if they're still charging but they'll tell ya

2) you park the car at the off-site parking area (its actually inside the track ground but away from the bike camping area) and then camp with all the bikers there. They're a good bunch.... theres heaps happening. They have onsite entertainment live bands etc. Beer is VB or Cascade and they hike the prices up ($38 for 2 doz) or you can get Jim Bean and colas. Food van also there, burgers fries etc. Theres also a restaurant onsite too

3) theres a separate campground for motorhomes if you choose that way (personally its better with the bikes) The 2 campgrounds are set apart and theres generally a nightly fireworks competition to see who has the better display

4) We sat at Siberia and could see a lot of the action from up on the bank. Take binoculars its good for the bikes and the bird watching. Also there are big screen tv trucks set up so you can watch the bikes at all times

Mate....now seriously thinking of going myself (did Donington GP in 04...wicked!!!!)

[XP@]

Millions of years ago I went to donnington. It was ok, the promo girlz were cute, but the bike action was so far away :-(

I much prefer the smaller events where you can smell the bikes...

Unless you can get in to a corporate box...

[orangeback]

have done a few while did my O/E, Donnington, SBK & GP, Brans Hatch SBK & BSK, and Isle Man TT From 1998-2002
they are wicked worth every penny , you can usuly get some pritty good deals on grear in the trade tents , if you need it , i came home with three sets ove leathers over that time , hadent done Oze GP will wait for NZ one

[rogson]

The best (by far) place to watch the race-day action is the Siberia Stand!
But you're probably to late already to get in there.
Still, last year of the 990s - and so competitive this year - not to be missed!

[rok-the-boat]

Saw Barry Sheene Dicing with Kenny Robert's at Brands Hatch

[Juan]

Was at Philip island last year, met Slim and her man, it is trully a superb place to watch bike racing.....hire a camper and drink for fun!!!!!

Donington, been five or six times, only go caus it's the closest, track is ok but view is shit

Will be at Laguna and Valencia this year... The Corkscrew, can't wait!!!!

TT... well what can you say, bikes doing nearly 200 MILES per hour past you while you have a beer less than 3 feet (1 meter) away

Bike racing.... just go you won't regret it