2008 Moto GP

[uksteve]

Don't know whether this is the right forum, but seeing as most guys here have sport bikes i'm thinking there will be a good chance that some one will be able to answer a few questions. Here goes.
I'm planning on going to the 2008 Moto GP at Phillip Island and probably will take my 11 year old daughter.
1 - Does anyone know where the general admission tickets allow you to go?
2 - Do you get a good view of the track from most locations?
3 - Would it be preferable to pay the extra and get tickets in the Gardner straight stand? Looks like you have to buy a 3 day pass and kids are full price , thats over A$750. Not overkeen on this option.

[dwnundabkr]

awwwe geeez steve how come your allowed out, mate would luv to join you but i have spent my allowance this year, building up for 2010 for superbikes at hampton downs

[CrazyFrog]

Go for it, you'll love it there. I went last year, so hope this helps......
Yes, gen admission ticket allow you around the whole track.
Yes, it's a long walk around the track, probably 2 hours! Too long for little legs. Too long for drunk adult legs too.
Track view is good most areas, all but for during actual races, when everyone (80,000 last year) crowds to the fences, so I'd suggest Lukey Heights stand.
Gardner Straight stand is, well, on the straight, where bikes are goin past at over 250kmph. Lukey heights is better, on the hill and bikes slower...(yeah, right) around the corners. Better for photos. But dress for the cold because it's exposed.
Also good views from Siberia stand....but does the name of that one give anything away? The wind off the ocean can be freezing bloody cold, so dress accordingly again.
Last year tickets were $80 Aussie just for race day. Go early as entertainment value is worth it. You can also take chiller bags etc for food, just no booze allowed thru the gate.
Any other questions just ask.

[MDR2]

I went last year and brought the 3 days pass. This year im going to spend that same amount of money just for one day and get grand stand seats.

[uksteve]

Hey Crazy frog, thanks for the info. Sounds like a great experience. Did you go on a package tour or did you arrange your own fares and accomodation? If you arranged your own have you any recommendations. I've tried a few places in Phillip Island and they're already sold out. A popular option is to stay in Melbourne and bus it there and back every day, that about a three hour round trip. Probably a bit tough on the young one.

[uksteve]

awwwe geeez steve how come your allowed out, mate would luv to join you but i have spent my allowance this year, building up for 2010 for superbikes at hampton downs

Hi Dave, i'll join you for the superbikes, thats when i'll have the browny points back

[uksteve]

I went last year and brought the 3 days pass. This year im going to spend that same amount of money just for one day and get grand stand seats.

MDR2, why the grandstand seats this year?

[CrazyFrog]

Yeah, you gotta book early to find accom on Phillip Island, I'd suggest searching internet. Don't know much about package deals to be honest. I know guys who've stayed on the island, best for 3 day pass holders, because less travelling to/from island.
I stayed at a Melbourne city hotel (4 mates) and we drove a rental car to the Island. That's an experience in itself. Navigation is easy, just follow 40,000 bikes. The cops have got the congestion thing sorted, traffic flows well.
Car parking is $10 all day and carparks usually 10 mins walk from track.
Otherwise, the bus is actually a good option, very easy and at least you can relax and not have the hassle of driving/navigating. The locals line the road for miles, they're all into it, very supportive of the MotoGp, entertaining just to watch them all on the way there/back. Hope you like Casey Stoner, they sure do!

[Badjelly]

Mrs Jelly and I went to Phillip Island MotoGP in 2005. We took the coach from Melbourne to the track on Thursday afternoon and on Monday morning we went back via ferry from Cowes, then suburban rail. We stayed at the Trackside campground throughout (some of the few people there without bikes). We had seats in the stand on Gardner Straight, but didn't think much of them, so hardly used them. On the Friday & Saturday we strolled around the circuit and watched from different points. On the Sunday morning we got up early and grabbed ourselves a good spot next to the fence at the northern end. The whole experience was marvellous from beginning to end!

If you stay in the Trackside campground you've got to expect people generally making a noise and revving engines 10 m from your tent at 2 am. But the whole thing felt completely safe. Great atmosphere.

We're planning to do much the same this year, but will maybe get seats in the Lukey Heights stand. Better book soon: Siberia stand is already booked out. I believe that since 2005 a young Aussie called Casey Stoner has being doing quite well, so crowds are presumably larger. (Total on Sunday in 2005 was 45,000, I believe. Someone on this thread said 80,000 last year.)

[MDR2]

MDR2, why the grandstand seats this year?

Because trying to find a good spot on the day was impossible with 80 thousand other people standing around . Being tall I had a slight advantage but I felt sorry for any short people. ( I was standing on the hill at turn 10 expecting to see some good late breaking, it was a bit of a bust.) But What I did notice is that from the Bass strait stand You could see the bikes coming down the last part of the start/finish straight through turns 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 and the big screen for the rest of the lap

Just booked the tickets last night so men and the old man are sorted.

And yeah, as for accom on the island itself. plan a year in advance. the locals have clicked onto when the races are on though and crank up the prices for that week. Though, if you can get a couple of mates together it could work out well.

We ended up staying at a motel about half way between Melbourne and Phillip island. I'll see if I can drag up a name from the records.

It's a wicked buzz and the atmosphere is electric. Hope you make it, it'll be worth it.

[MDR2]

The locals line the road for miles, they're all into it, very supportive of the MotoGp,

that was kinda weird and amusing , it was like they don't get many visitors down there or something , the whole dragging the couch out onto the road and drinking beer watching traffic go by thing was just plain weird.

[uksteve]

Thanks for the info guys, most helpfull. Might be a bit much for my daughter.

[husky]

I am attending for the fourth year in a row this year and suspect I won't miss one ever again. As much as I love the Paeroa St. races, there is just nothing like watching GP bikes, it makes the hairs stand up! We get a rental car from Melbourne airport and camp at the highside campground which is a bit more family oriented, lots of campervans etc which might be a good way to go with the young'n. It can get bloody cold and miserable if it rains, which is OK as an adult with 18 cans of VB under your belt but not much fun for a sober kid. Haven't paid for a grandstand seat yet, just get to Siberia by 9am with a chair. The walk around the circuit is a wee way but mostly flat so most kids could do it.

[uksteve]

Thanks husky good advice. Just booked the tickets and campervan tonight, my daughter is looking forward to being driven while she sleeps in bed haha.