2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP

I was very fortunate to hook up with some buddies heading to Indianapolis for the MotoGP this year, the fourth year running for this event. I have never been to the track before and was blown away by the immensity of the site.

We arrived Saturday and took in some of the qualifying sessions. 4 classes would be racing during the weekend: the 125, Moto2 and MotoGP, plus there was a Harley 1200 class racing Saturday and Sunday.

Throughout the day we wandered around the infield area where there were displays from many bike manufacturers and accessory vendors

Saturday night after dinner we walked downtown; some street I do not remember. For at least a 1/4 mile -- from the end of the road to the monument and then around the corner -- there was an endless procession of bikes running back and forth, bikes lining every foot of both sides of the street, a stunt show in one parking lot and a band in another...

Sunday is Race Day

First off, when heading to the track for race day, one of the best ways to get there is on a cushy bus that delivers you straight inside the facility. Oh, and a police escort to slice through traffic is highly recommended also

We walked in from the back entrance, through the golf course and around to our seats

We sat and watched the 125 and Moto2 races, ate some lunch and watched the crowd fill in. Later on it was back to the vendor area for some last minute purchases, as an air show went on before the MotoGP race.

We had great seats that overlooked Turn 10 - Turn 16 and then down the front straight, back to the start/finish line. I intended to upload some video of the opening lap, but right now you can see better vid here.

So a still shot will have to do:

After some surprise moves within the pack, like Rossi dropping to last spot for awhile and Hayden moving from 4th to 14th (track announcer: "Oh, Nicky Hayden just had a moment") perhaps due to tire choice, Casey Stoner took a decisive win.

Afterward we watched the second Harley XR1200 race and then back to the bus. Dinner and drinks with a nightcap at the Eagle's Nest while the sun set and the city lights came up. "Um, where is the Men's Room now?"... See, the outer seating area rotates around the central core, and after a couple drinks... Never-mind.

So while back home it was all Hurricane Irene, flooding, power outages and a generally lousy weekend, I spent 90 degree sunny days in bike nirvana. It was an awesome weekend of motorcycling spectacle and I had a great time.