Ducati Monster Forum

Anyone planning to head down to Laguna Seca this year, to partake in MotoGP? There is a great packaged deal for Ducati owners (see links below). I'd be interested in going down with a group of NorCal riders. PM me!

https://www.mazdaraceway.com/pages/tix-ducati (https://www.mazdaraceway.com/pages/tix-ducati)

http://ducatiusa.com/events/2011_ducati_island___laguna_seca/2011/07/22/index.do?__utma=1.457518711.1300246726.1300246726.1307780332.2&__utmb=1.3.10.1307780332&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1307780332.2.2.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=ducati%20motogp%202011&__utmv=-&__utmk=46352807(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=ducati%20motogp%202011&__utmv=-&__utmk=46352807 (http://ducatiusa.com/events/2011_ducati_island___laguna_seca/2011/07/22/index.do?__utma=1.457518711.1300246726.1300246726.1307780332.2&__utmb=1.3.10.1307780332&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1307780332.2.2.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=ducati%20motogp%202011&__utmv=-&__utmk=46352807(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=ducati%20motogp%202011&__utmv=-&__utmk=46352807)

As of this moment it's only a wish for me.  If I can gather enough money by then I'm tooooootally going. That is a sweet Ducati ticket deal though.

The last time I went it was 105 degrees and I had to share a room to afford the night's stay just to get seats that aren't nearly as good as the coverage on TV.  That said, I had a blast and there's nothing quite like "being there".  However, I don't plan on going unless something strikes me fancy. 

Is this your first time? 

I've never been to any Laguna Seca event and I desperately want to change that this year. It's kind of ridiculous that I live so close and never made it down as a Ducati enthusiast/owner for nearly 5 yrs now. Any good advice besides booking accommodations early?

I'd look at staying in Pacific Grove instead of Monterey proper or even Sand City.  There's a little bit more availability and it's a tad cheaper.  Turn 4 is a great spot for watching.  Put your helmet in a bag to protect against massive dust and weeds if you leave it with your bike. 

That's my advice.   [thumbsup]

BikerGoddess and I are going. And we're resurrecting Camp Go-Tard after a 1 year absence! We're staying here:
http://www.carmelrv.com/ (http://www.carmelrv.com/)

We arrive Thursday night and leave Sunday night. At the races Sat & Sun. We'll have internet, phone, a full kitchen, and even an espresso machine. Stop by our camp (or call us if you can't find it) and we'll have a beer or coffee...

If you volunteer to work in Ducati Island, you get free general admission tickets. At least that was the case for the past few years. You don't need to leave anything on the bike, there's gear check-in on the Island as well. The cheapest accomodation is camping.

I'll be working parking and gear-check duties over the weekend in the morning. See (some of) you guys there.

I pinged Vicki to find out if there are any more volunteer slots for gear check, do you happen to know? What are the duties and time commitments like? Are we able to access other areas? I'd love to know, in case I need to purchase additional access. I'm planning on bringing my photo gear to document my first MotoGP experience :).

I got an email from her on Monday asking for more volunteers. I believe it was for parking. You get free general admission tickets if you work a total of 8 hours for the weekend. No one works during the GP race. General admission just gets you through the door, but if you want an actual seat, you would need to buy a ticket. The good thing about Laguna is that there are so many great places to watch without needing to pay for a seat. If you want access to the paddock, you'll need to know someone that can "lend" you their pass.

Cool, thx for the details. 8 hours is a lot, I am planning just to do Sunday but we'll see what Vicki says.

Hey northerncalguy, I'm thinking of going.  Same thing here, been a Norcal native but never gone.  I'll pm you my info since I'm thinking of riding down too.

I'm riding down too with a couple of friends. Where are you guys starting from?

@richard: I'll be starting from the South Bay (San Jose Area). And yourself? I think it's shaping up to be a zoo, so we're planning to roll out early. I've seen the pix from one of the albums that shows the parking lot filled at like 10am. Have you been before? I can't wait.

Hey there norcal guy! We're meeting in san mateo. I'll ask them maybe we can meet you down in sj somewhere. I've been there a few times during wsbk troy bayliss days but never since it became gp. This will be my first gp experience. I think the crowd is bigger. I've never parked in the ducati island though so maybe we can figure out how to get in so we don't have to worry about parking. Not sure where the entrance is. Can you ask Vicky those info? Thanks.

Ducati Island parking requires a special wristband, which you pick up at the Monterey Ducati dealer Friday morning. Once you enter the track, people will direct you where to park depending on whether you have the wristband or not.

Thanks desmoquattro! We'll try to get the wrist band then.

You'll want to check the Ducati website as we get closer to the event. They'll tell you when & where to show up.

Can someone who bought the ducati pass comment on its value?  I was told that in the past, ducati owners could enter the ducati paddock just by showing their duc key, is this still the case?

Otherwise, the benefits are general admission ($50), grandstand 4 seats ($20), sunday paddock pass ($25), sunday motorcycle parking ($20).  Doesn't sound bad for $100, but will i really use the seats?

First time going and just want to avoid some of the rookie mistakes that the motogp vets can help me avoid.

I've never heard of them allowing access to the paddock without the pass. They might have been referring to Ducati Island, not the paddock. Even now you can't just flash your key to gain access to the hospitality area. You have to show proof of ownership, like your registration or insurance.

The hospitality tent is just a place where Ducati has tables and offer coffee, water and usually some other treats. Note that your registration will only allow you access to this specific tent, not to the paddock. Remember to bring your driver's license since the registration/insurance need to be validated with your photo ID. Once they check your stuff, they tag you, give you a lanyard and a schedule for the weekend. You are allowed a guest that will also get the same stuff. The guys that work the parking, gear check and hospitality are all volunteers, so don't bust their balls when they ask to see all this stuff. This is what they were told to do. Some are more flexible than others, like allowing more than just the one guest.

 Last year I brought my wife and kids to the race, I just showed my ducati owners card and they let us in. Like duccarlos posted, there were three guys checking in guests in the ducati hospitality area and the guy ahead of me was allowed one guest, and was given 1 lanyard. While I had 4 guests and was given 4 lanyards. I say get there early because they run out of swag and patience early.

 This year I'm riding up with a friend on Saturday, hopefully ending up on cannery row and meeting up with some fellow forum members/ ducati badasses.  [cheeky]

Last year and this year I am staying @ Comfort Inn 140 Reservation Rd, Marina, CA. Decent place, includes breakfast. We picked up our Ducati Island wrist band etc. @ Embassy Suites which is in a differnt room but same place as where you pick up "will call" tix. Quickly in and out and on our way to fun. If you want to park on the "Island" get there early, also the food etc. goes fast especially Sunday. Friday you can roll in any time and get your goodies, check out the Ducati tent of stuff for sale etc. I have never actually sat in any of the "reserved" seating, just walk around the track on Fri/Sat and observe from various spots. On Sunday we sit on the hill above turn 2/turn 5 (accross the road, below camping). Excellent spot to see a lot of the track and hear pretty well too.