Ducati Monster Forum

Anyone from the local area going to Indy this year? We booked our hotel but if you're looking to stay downtown fuggit about it. It's all booked this year the gamers are out:

http://www.gencon.com/ (http://www.gencon.com/)

I've stayed downtown and to be honest you're missing nothing but overpriced hotels, restaurants and crowds. Plus we had a van with 6 people getting 3 rooms and still they a) didn't want to let us park in hotel parking and then b) wanted to charge a fee (even though when we booked we confirmed free parking for guests and told them we had a van).

Twice I've stayed on hotels across town and saved a bunch of $. It's not that long a ride around the beltway and easy parking if you're on a bike.

Once we rented an RV and stayed right across from the track in an RV park, which is another option if you don't mind the noise of all-night partying and rednecks.

And the Indy Mile is also Saturday night for added racing fun.

we stayed downtown a few years ago and it was cool but too "hectic", this year we booked rooms in Carmel, north Indy. You're right about the parking I was afraid to move once we found a spot and the damn hotel wanted to charge daily, rip off.

RV rental sounds fun, I don't mind the noise or rednecks, lol.

I'm really looking forward to going back this year also to see the flat track racing, missed it the last time out.

The flat track racing on Sat night is a must... Freaking amazing. [thumbsup] I think I will be there but its still on the deciding table.  ;D

I'll be headed out there again.  Stayed close to the track at a Hilton Garden Inn.  Booked the same place again.  Staff was friendly enough to let me and my friend park our bikes right out front of the lobby at night (checked on them at night so they were safe). Also very close to Indy Ducati, places to eat, Drury Hotel where all the other Ducati folks were staying and close to downtown.  Bit of a mob scene downtonwn with all the bikes and Comic people but sure it's a riot. 

Still wondering what Ducati has planned for this year.  No word on ticket prices, Ducati Island or other events and the GP is super close.  Started promoting Austin and Laguna several months in advance so my optimism isnt high but the Hoosier Hooligan guys are great so I'm sure there will be some fun and events planned. 

We're booked at the same hotel, are you riding to Indy this year? I'm still waiting to hear whether or not Parts Unlimited will comp our tickets this year. If not, I don't mind having to purchase general admission tickets. I haven't heard anything from Ducati either keep me posted if you have any news.

+1 

http://www.hoosierhooligans.org/forum/events-and-rides/red-bull-indianapolis-moto-gp-2013-doc-hotel/ (http://www.hoosierhooligans.org/forum/events-and-rides/red-bull-indianapolis-moto-gp-2013-doc-hotel/)

Thanks for the link, let me know if you guys are hosting any events that weekend.

I'll be going. Working as a flag worker. Can anyone recommend a nice preferably cheap place to stay? I've been scoping airbnb but the prices are real high.

Uncle Mofo posted the link $99 a night.

For sure, Sprockets on Speedway and the Red Snake Ride.
Maybe more we'll see

I did it for the first time last year.. The sound it amazing and the police escort was pretty cool. [beer]

I'm going staying at the Fairfield Inn again, the Ducati Main Hotel is the Drury Inn on Michigan. I did not like it 2 years ago so I stayed at the Fairfield last year. It is a pretty straight shot on back roads to the track from there and plenty of food/adult beverages just across the street.
- Gene

(http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/wbamiduro/Indianapolis%20MotoGP/DSC_0265.jpg)

(http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy51/wbamiduro/Indianapolis%20MotoGP/DSC_0269.jpg)

Awesome pics, who is riding from DC/MD/VA? I may do it this year if anyone knows good back roads to Indy.

hmmm who took that photo.  Iam actually in it...  [laugh]

red snake ride pics

http://www.hoosierhooligans.org/forum/events-and-rides/pictures-andor-video-of-red-snake-ride/ (http://www.hoosierhooligans.org/forum/events-and-rides/pictures-andor-video-of-red-snake-ride/)

There are good back roads between our area and Dayton, after that it is Super Slab. VA/WV/SE Ohio awesome roads. - Gene

Yeah, just take Rt 50 from Winchester to Parkersburg. From there a some options: (1) 555 up to Zanesville, (2) 56 up to Springfield, or (3) stay on 50 to Cincinnati.

1. Bail off of US50 at Prunytown and go north/west on some more twisty roads all the way over to Lancaster, OH, stop for night, more twisty roads down to 56 then to Dayton, then super slab
2. Bail off of US50 at Grafton head south a little, then take twisty roads to I-77, then north to Marietta, Oh then more twisty roads to Lancaster. OH, stop for night, more twisty roads to 56, then to Dayton , then Super slab.

On return leave after race and get a bunch of the Superslab done before stopping for the night. Then bail off Super slab onto twisty roads near Hebron, OH and take different twisty roads, including 555 back to Clarksburg, then take US50 back to Winchester, then pick a route back to your destination.

Just my thoughts - Gene

And since the AMA races at Mid-ohio are before the Indy GP you can sample some of the roads, a dry run if you will, before yo go to Indy. Just an Idea. - Gene

+3 on 555

I got an email from ryan today.  It appears Ducati Island is a go! 

http://secure.brickyard.com/Promotions/PromotionDetails.aspx?Promotion=471b25e9-d37b-4d65-a7c2-267b05194400&PromotionCode=2013DUCATI (http://secure.brickyard.com/Promotions/PromotionDetails.aspx?Promotion=471b25e9-d37b-4d65-a7c2-267b05194400&PromotionCode=2013DUCATI)

promo :  2013DUCATI

I don't think there is a Ducati Island, I think there is a Ducati Package/grandstands, which is why I took the package that DucPond put together. The only Ducati Island this year is at Laguna is my understanding, but feel free to call Ryan to confirm. - Gene

 :)

I called and confirmed that there isn't a Ducati Island this year at Indy.

WOMP WOMP

Still a good time and I'm still going. I understand that the granstands are at Corner 9, I've never viewed the race from there but it seems like it should be a good loaction. - Gene

I'm still gonna head out to Indy for the other activities that will take place but it's just sad to see Ducati drop their involvement.

I've said the same thing, they are doing less and less, yet sales remain high. It's like they are cashing in on their previous success. I remember when they were at all the races with truck/hospitality etc.., the IMS, Track Days, and had a more congenial approach to owners and the clubs. It does worry me, but I still ride every weekend. Last weekend I was on the Victory V2V ride, a coast to coast ride for 10+ years now, went out to Ohio but had to turn back for a meeting back in VA on Wednesday, this ride has never had any Victory Corporate involvement and yet it does fine. This weekend I'm going to a Flat Track race in Lima, Ohio and hope to see young Henry Wiles make history by winning that event on a Lloyd Brothers Ducati, which also gets no meaningful support from Corporate Ducati. So maybe it's a new paradigm, we the customers/fans have the lead for awhile let's see what we do with it. - Gene

got dang it

Agreed!    :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\ :-X

I'll probably purchase the Ducati tickets if I don't score the Parts Unlimited dealer tickets from the shop, still will be an awesome time, can't wait!

Grandstand - In case anybody is wondering what's going on with this - the track started selling the Ducati grandstand seats yesterday so if you are on the list from years past you'll probably see an email from them next week.  The grandstand this year is by turn 9 - I hear the seats are excellent, you can see three turns and there is a big screen right in front (the main complaint about the turn one seats was the big screen was hard to see, so that's been addressed) Ducati parking is there now as well.   

The Drury Ducati basecamp hotel is not fully booked yet but it's filling fast.  Same deal, $99 a night includes the Ducati gift, the three drink happy hour every evening, breakfast and more.  This is my favorite part of the weekend, like a college dorm full of gearheads.  If you don't book soon there won't be a gift, we are about 10 days from deadline to order them. Once that passes only those that were booked before the cutoff will get themHotel booking link for 2013 IndyGP Ducati base camp hotel,  http://www.druryhotels.com/Reservations.aspx?groupno=216092 (http://www.druryhotels.com/Reservations.aspx?groupno=216092)


Sprockets On Speedway is still on for Friday, and the iDesmo DOC is organizing a dinner.  I heard the food last year was like being in Italy, I look forward to trying it myself this year :-)


And of course the flat track is on - best place to see GP riders wandering around in the wild all year.

Red Snake ride on Sunday details to follow..

To buy Ducati Grandstand tickets click on the link

 http://secure.brickyard.com/Promotions/PromotionDetails.aspx?Promotion=471b25e9-d37b-4d65-a7c2-267b05194400&PromotionCode=2013DUCATI (http://secure.brickyard.com/Promotions/PromotionDetails.aspx?Promotion=471b25e9-d37b-4d65-a7c2-267b05194400&PromotionCode=2013DUCATI)

 Hotel deal

https://wwws.druryhotels.com/Reservations.aspx?groupno=2160925

If anyone cares to do a caravan I pull out very early thursday 8/15 morning....  [beer]

Can't ride out this year, Nora is still recovering from hip surgery, so I'll be taking the hot rod truck with the Paso or ST3 in the back, maybe I'll hook up the trailer and take the XR1200 as well. Assume you have routes to get there? - Gene

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=64074.msg1190111#msg1190111 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=64074.msg1190111#msg1190111)

You  have a better route than say 70? 50 was brutal with the trailer on the back in the rain and pitch dark. :o

Anything is better than I-70 IMHO but eventualy you end up on it, so I try to get as far west as possible before suffering on that road. Here is the route I plan please note to all reading this, it is not a good motorcycle route IMHO, it is a 4 wheel route - there are much better/fun ways to get there on 2 wheels. I'm going to take Dulles Toll road to Leesburg, then Rt. 7 to Winchester, then US522 up through Berkely Springs to I-68. I'll take I-68 to I-79, take I-79 south to US50 West. Follow US50 West all the way past Athens, if I'm in the mood I may then jog up to Rt. 56 West, twisty scenic road, ash cave etc...to US22/35 to I-675 to I-70, then take I-70 into Indy. If I'm not in the mood I'll continue on US50 West to US35 at Chillicothe and then I-675 to I-70. Hope that helps. - Gene

Go it... Thanks !

Finally got my Ducati Grandstand tickets (they sure waited until the last minute). Who's going to be there? I've got seats at Section 5, Row T, Seats 2,4,5,6

Who's driving out vs. riding?

Sadly driving, probably on Friday, I have the DucPond package minus hotel. I found a nice hotel several years ago that I like, easy back roads to the track, multiple bar/food choices and a BP gas station with market across the street. - Gene

What's the DucPond package? Do they have a skybox?

Gasoline Alley Suite, food, adult beverages/sodas Fri/Sat/Sun not cheap but at the time when I found out there was no Ducati Island and they were not sure there would even be Ducati Grandstands seemed like a good plan and I'll be with all the people I know who use to be at Ducati Island. - Gene

I head out on thursday morning ...Trailering  8) Iam in the grandstand as well my tickets are at will call.  I was not sure if they would make it to the house before my departure.  [Dolph]

Riding out Thursday morning around 6AM.  Should arrive in Indy dinner time!