Ducati Monster Forum

Im thinking about going to Miller for the WSBK race this year and I was wondering if anyone has gone there before to give me some feedback on the place.
Is it a nice track, how is the grandstand viewing, what's Salt Lake City like, etc.

I was thinking about Laguna but it's even more expensive and to be honest I think I'd rather see Haga and the boys.

jimi

I haven't been to Miller or WSBK, but you really should plan to see MotoGP live at some point.  There is no way to describe the sound of the GP bikes and the speeds.  And at Laguna, there are a bunch of places on track where you can get ridiculously close to them.  It doesn't have to be this year, but don't miss the opportunity.

Miller has some nice track facilities. smducman and I drove out there for WSBK 2009. grandstands at turn 1 are nice, but there's nowhere you can really see the whole track. Bring binocs and a radio. And if you're driving out, stay a couple of extra days for the track day they do afterward.

Salt Lake City, on the other hand, isn't all that exciting. There are a few nice places...like Settebello Pizzeria (http://settebello.net/) and the Red Rock Brewery next door. But keep in mind that they just last year got rid of the "private clubs" law and let people drink after hours. SLC is an odd combination of outdoorsy types and church conservatism. But if you're bringing a bike, there's some spectacular riding in the canyons. And lodging is cheap.

I'd say that Laguna is a nicer place to see a race. But the lodging is pricier, and it's MotoGP vs WSBK. And it's crawling with cops on GP weekend, whereas SLC offers better riding conditions and inferior nightlife...much smaller crowds too, as not many people will journey to SLC for just WSBK and no AMA/NASBIKE.

just go to Indy for GP...that way you can see all 3 classes...

+1 on seeing Moto2 and the buzzbombs. But no WSBK/WSS insanity. And no Haga. And pales in comparison to Monterey or SLC for roads to ride. But I suspect you can see the entire track from most grandstands.

My wife and I went last year, and we are also going this year. The WSBK races are a great time, and the Miller facility is really nice.

The new Miller website sucks...but I finally found a track map. WSBK/WSS runs the perimeter course.
(http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/uploads/MMPOuterCourse.jpg)

Last year our seats were at the end of the straight at Sunset Bend (turn 1). Cool location to see the bikes flying down that straight and into the turn...and also for seeing the riders leaving the pits. Bad location for real racing action (at least last year)...and about as far away as possible from the manuf. displays.

This year our seats will be in the grandstands by either by turns 18/19, or by 21. Lots of passing, crashes, and general excitement there. Even the practices were fun to watch there.

We stayed at a hotel by the airport. There's a whole bunch of them in one location there. It's about 1/2 way between SLC and Tooele. Cost was like $80/night or something. Not a good location if you want to party all night...but we're not into that anymore.

Getting to and from the track was easy. Lots of people but we never got stuck in any traffic. Food in SLC is pretty good.

I would add that there's an awesome shuttle that runs around the track perimeter.

I want to go in '10 also as a vacation with the wife and no kids.  Thanks for the info.

 [thumbsup]

mitt

I go down there often, since it's the nearest track.  The wife and I even discussed moving down there to be closer to MMP, but we ultimately decided that SLC is just too boring.  Note that we live in Boise, and it's still more fun than SLC.   [laugh]

The track is pretty nice, though.  We like the grandstands near clubhouse corner.  It ends up being about halfway in between the pits and parking.  The perimeter course is so big, that you can't see it all from any one point, but they do have some jumbotrons.  As other people have mentioned, hotels in the area are plentiful and affordable.  Note that the elevation and climate make it very easy to get sunburned there.  Summertime weather is usually hot and very dry, but thunderstorms are common in the spring.

Edit to add: the track day after WSBK has a reputation for being overbooked and full of crazy riders.

Had a friend and a small group of his buddies ride all the way from Austin, TX to Miller for the 2009 WSBK race. They called ahead and rented an RV trailer that was delivered and set up for them at the track (camping area I suppose) so all they had to do was get there. They had a killer time! I haven't been there but they said they set up a 10x10 pop up shade at the top of downhill twisty section (anyone know that section??) and he said they had a great vantage point. They hauled food back from the store in their hard luggage and he said the on site concession food was actually pretty good. He invited me to go but I couldn't do it. They are going back again and doing it the same way this year. Great way to celebrate his birthday! [drink] [beer]

The only real elevation change at MMP is the attitudes, and even that is a pretty mild drop.

For a truly awesome view and experience, volunteer to be a corner worker.  I've done it the past two years and have had a great time.  I agree with being near the clubhouse turn because you can see 4 or 5 turns plus there's a giant video screen so you can follow the other action.  The Monday after the race they have an open track day that uses the same track layout as WSBK. 

SLC isn't as boring as people think.  You just need to find some fun locals to show you where to go.  Don't stay in Tooele (the town close to the track) as there is not much to do there.  Spend 20 minutes driving to downtown Salt Lake.

I've found a company that books "hospitality" trips to various races around the world and they said they are offering a package to Miller.
The package includes tickets for all 3 days, hotel, shuttle to and from the track, meals and some VIP treatment at the track.
They're based in Europe and I'm a bit hesitant to book with them for that reason.
Has anyone ever dealt with Pole Position travel or any of the track package tour operators?
 

jimi

No experience with the package providers, but I'd say it's pretty easy to roll your own trip to Miller. Unless the package tour is cheaper, I'd say use Expedia, etc.

The price is reasonable, but what really intrestes me is the VIP stuff like team hospitality and paddock walk.

Is it a separate paddock walk? They let everyone do it last year...as you can imagine it was a cluster!  [laugh] I did get to see Haga's bike being repaired after his high side though...while I was being elbowed in the back by some a-hole behind me wanting to get a picture!  ;)

The VIP ticket probably includes entrance to the club house area.  The clubhouse has indoor seating with plenty of screens to watch the race, a bar and restaurant, and best of all, it's air conditioned.  There's also a fenced in area outside where you can sit on the grass. 

Ducati usually has a tent that will only let Duc owners in so make sure to bring your Desmo owners club card with you.

Get the paddock pass.  There's a lot going on there including stunt riders, bands, and the chance to see how short these racers are in person.

Have fun!

Remember to stay in SLC, not in Tooele.  Find out what hotel the travel company was going to put you in before you decide.

Hope this helps.

paddock walk didn't cost me anything last year.

The VIP ticket probably includes entrance to the club house area.  The clubhouse has indoor seating with plenty of screens to watch the race, a bar and restaurant, and best of all, it's air conditioned.  There's also a fenced in area outside where you can sit on the grass.  
You were able to buy a VIP ticket for the event on your own?

Ducati usually has a tent that will only let Duc owners in so make sure to bring your Desmo owners club card with you.
Yup it's called Ducati Island. If it's going to be there this year I'm going to volunteer to work there.

Get the paddock pass.  There's a lot going on there including stunt riders, bands, and the chance to see how short these racers are in person.
Again, can you get the paddock pass on your own when you buy a ticket?

Have fun!

Remember to stay in SLC, not in Tooele.  Find out what hotel the travel company was going to put you in before you decide.
Are there hotels you would recomend in SLC?
It's starting to sound like a trip I could handle on my own, if so many of the "options" the travel package offers are available to the regular person who buys a ticket with the right "upgrades."

http://www.sbkusa.com/tickets.html (http://www.sbkusa.com/tickets.html)

genadm:  $125 per person—includes a paddock pass
grandstand: $145 per person—includes a paddock pass

it doesn't look like you can buy a ticket that doesn't include a paddock pass.

(http://www.sbkusa.com/images/sbk_price_list_548x728.png)

For those who have not been to Miller before I would like to share a few observations From the past 2 wsbk events.

1.   If your buying grandstand tickets row 1 is the back row and row 10 is the front row.  Iknow because I bought row 1 in the paddock grandstands last year and was dissapointed when I got there to find out I was in the middle of the back row.

2.  If your in the paddock grandstands you have a good view of the riders leaving the pit, and a good look at a concrete wall as they blow by on the straight away.  all you can see is a helmet flying by at 180mph unless they stay to the inside of the track, and they never stay on the inside of the track.

We had a pretty good view from there.

Here's what it looks like from the lawn in front of the grandstands:
(http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs048.snc1/4445_106388104223_589624223_2770520_4751120_n.jpg)

From the grandstands:
(http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs008.snc1/4445_106311149223_589624223_2768239_1894050_n.jpg)

That's smducman (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=profile;u=621) with the horn :)

If i'm not mistaken that looks like the Grantsville Grandstands at the end of the straight away near Sunset Bend.  The paddock Grandstands are after the paddock east of where you were a few hundred yards.  Where you were is a great place to watch from.(http://www4.ticketingcentral.com/V2/App_Themes/motorsportspark/Maps/MMP_ResGrandstand.jpg)

My wife and I were in the Grantsville grandstands. They're OK...good view, but not a lot of racing action. I'll be in either the Tooele or ERDA Grandstands this year.

I also fell for the Row 1 thing.  :P

edit: I should note that Row 1 seats up high are still great seats...you get a nice view up high. If you do best available on the website...it gives you row 1.

Depending which grandstands you sit in (and the weather), you might not get shade in the first row.  BTW, if crashes are your thing, they seem to be most likely in the attitudes (Tooele grandstands).