Going to Laguna Seca MotoGP - help for first timer

[Guaps]

My wife surprised me with a trip to the 2009 Laguna Seca MotoGp for my b-day.  Nothing is purchased yet (not sure if I even can yet), so I'm trying to figure all of this out. I want to do this right (decent view of the track) but unfortunately price is an issue.  Any suggestions on places to stay, where to get seats, etc?

Here's the low down:
We'll be driving up in my truck (from San Diego).  I could put my bike in the back if it's easier to get in/out of the track on a bike, or if parking is $$$.
We don't mind camping, but a shower would be nice.
We're going for the whole weekend.

Thanks!!

[desmoquattro]

We usually camp offsite in Carmel. It's an RV park, so it has showers and electricity. It's pretty nice...

You should definitely bring a bike up. That makes it easier to ingress & egress from the track.

[Jaman]

Not sure of your budget, but I say camp at the track & get the full effect!  Camping will run you $150 for the weekend.  When camping, I have only been at Archery which is alot of fun, bands, tiki bar, latenight shenanigans, etc - but have always wanted to be on Fox Hill, or somehwere closer to the track, wherever you end up, there will be parties within stumbling distance...

FYI - tickets are on sale now, prices to go up after Jan 1, 2009
http://www.laguna-seca.com/pages/tix-usgp09

I would just get General Admission tix & paddock passes - you will want to walk around & explore the different areas of the track - there are some great vantage points - you might think about Turn 4 grandstand seats for you & the missus for Sunday, as I'm sure she'll get tired of all the walking, and there may be shade, and a big screen with race action to see as well...

Saturday night, Cannery Row, don't miss it.

**And Yes! bring the bike**

[desmoquattro]

Good point, Jaman. If you want the all-night-party roughing-it camping experience, camp on-track. If you want relative quiet and better facilities, camp off the track and ride the bike or take the free shuttle to the track.

As for watching the race, a grandstand seat is a good idea. Turn 4 is great...this is what it'll look like:


Well, you won't exactly be that close But you'll see people coming out of turn 3 and you'll have a giant monitor to watch the other turns.

[Guaps]

Thanks for the help!  I like the idea of General Admission for Fri and Sat and get seats Sunday.  Paddock passes sound like fun too.  I'll have to look into those.

I think we're looking to camp, but we're going to want a shower eventually.  So we'll look into camp sites in Carmel.

Thanks again for your help.  If there are any other suggestions on things to do while we're there, I'd love to hear it!

[gm2]

i'm surprised to hear there's anything resembling a camp/RV site in carmel 
lovely place, of course.

[Jaman]

...but we're going to want a shower eventually.  So we'll look into camp sites in Carmel

FYI - the camp sites at the track do have showers - each site has typically 2 big trailers (his/hers) with a row of 15 or so showers in each...

One thing you may appreciate about camping away from the track will be the "peace & quiet" factor, as well, at least from my experience, level land for sleeping on is at a premium around the track...