Indy Moto GP -- any FH experience ?

[Pedro-bot]

I'm planning on going to Indy next month for the MotoGP event.
Never been, so I'm pretty excited.
Curious about the camping layout. Anyone camp out before? If I did camp out, I would be taking my tent with me but I'm concerned about shower facilities and what all is available for hygiene purposes.   

Easier to just get a hotel? What area of Indy is ideal for reservations?

[jmoth79]

they bring in a shower truck,  I think it was $5. (well worth it after the second day of going without  ) THere is camping available right across the street from the front gate.  
I went for the first time last year.  Met some awesome people and had a great time.  Have fun!

Oh be sure to bring your Ducati bike registration!  It gets you access to the hopitality tent in Ducati Island. 
Free breakfast (Fruit, Croissants, Coffee and OJ) and unlimited free bottled water.  Both a life and wallet saver!!

[Drjones]

It is a big place, so you'll be doing a lot of walking.  You can bring in a cooler to the stands.  Food vendor prices weren't too bad, but the selection was fairly limited.  Drink prices were bad, but I just sported my camelbak mule around.  Stayed at the NW Wingate, which is a decent hotel for the money and close enough to the track (continental-plus breakfast is included).  If you're taking the moto then you can park on the backstretch of the track.


I'll be out there with my dad, nephew and brother-in-law Sat and Sun.

[TAftonomos]

We (3 buddies) went last year.  Stayed at the Marriott downtown.  Cost $15 to get to/from the track each day.  Location was kick ass, the downtown parties and festivities were great!

Get seats that are covered, or bring a hat and tons of water.

Food/drinks as you would expect, not exactly cheap but not really highway robbery either.

Patron shots from a red-bull girl were $7 downtown friday night.  The hotel bar wanted $27 each (which my friend got stuck with when ordering a round).

[Pedro-bot]

<SNIP>
Oh be sure to bring your Ducati bike registration!  It gets you access to the hopitality tent in Ducati Island. 
Free breakfast (Fruit, Croissants, Coffee and OJ) and unlimited free bottled water.  Both a life and wallet saver!!

Is a copy sufficient or do they ask for the original title?

It is a big place, so you'll be doing a lot of walking.  You can bring in a cooler to the stands.  Food vendor prices weren't too bad, but the selection was fairly limited.  Drink prices were bad, but I just sported my camelbak mule around.  Stayed at the NW Wingate, which is a decent hotel for the money and close enough to the track (continental-plus breakfast is included).  If you're taking the moto then you can park on the backstretch of the track.


I'll be out there with my dad, nephew and brother-in-law Sat and Sun.

Frank and I will be out there Saturday and Sunday as well.  We'll have to look for you out there.

We (3 buddies) went last year.  Stayed at the Marriott downtown.  Cost $15 to get to/from the track each day.  Location was kick ass, the downtown parties and festivities were great!

Get seats that are covered, or bring a hat and tons of water.

TAft -- so are covered seats an additional fee to the general admission price? Do you buy general admission and also purchase a seat? Is the seat cost good for the entire weekend or is it a per day price?

Are there any areas that provide a good view of the race that don't require seat purchase?

[Drjones]

The general admission tickets are sit anywhere someone doesn't have a reserved seat including the covered areas. There are separate tickets for each day.  Saturday is only general admission, so it is first come or when someone gets up first to grab.  The yellow shirts even let people up into the "penthouse" seats on the GA days.  Race day the yellow shirts will check tickets.

E stand is the best covered area due to its view of the turn one set of corners, but it was packed last year, so GA holders hoping to snag an open spot were escorted out of the area when the reserved ticket holders showed up.  H and J stands are probably the better action viewing seats as they face the turn 10 series of corners, but are uncovered.  Spectator mounds are good viewing as well. 

[gr1976]

The shower truck is the only option for campers since the track does not have shower facilities. Like others have said, you can bring a cooler. I think it's supposed to be 14x14x14 max. (I've seen bigger) packed w/ anything but glass bottles. So after your ticket purchase there is no real need to spend money in the track. I didn't know about the Ducati tent freebies, I'll have to check it out this year.

A reserved seat pass will include three tickets for each day, but you only get to claim your seat on race day. I love it, been there every year. I hope we don't loose it because of Austin. I want to be able to go to both.

The night before the race you can go to the Indy Mile flat track race at the fairgrounds, which will be the last time to see Cris Carr in action, and/or check out motorcycles on Meridian which is a huge gathering of bikes. I've done each separately in the past, but am going to try and make both this year.

Downtown hotels are normally a 10 minute drive, but on race day I'd leave at least an hour early.

I live close to the track so if you have any Indy questions let me know.

[Düb Lüv]

be prepared for the miserable humidity. i unfortunately live in the louisville area i know it too well.

[mitt]

I camped during the hurricane of 2008, and haven't been back since.  It was fun, and an experience I will never forget, but not sure I will go back.


mitt

[TAftonomos]

I'll ask my buddy who got the tickets last year.  We sat in the grandstands just past turn one...Moto2 was pretty cool with all those bikes funneling down in there

I was going to do the whole ride/camp thing....but I like to party too much.  Having to worry about my stuff/bike/hangover ride home...no thanks (Delta from ATL round trip was $195)

Also, the duc tent never asked me for anything.  I just strolled up there, got a few coffees, some water, looked at some cool stuff, and watched the "fashion" show.

[scoprire]

Usually a current insurance card for your Ducati will be enough to get in the tent. 

We've never camped. Always gotten a hotel in Carmel; it's about 20 min north of the track.  Suites for $100/night is what we've paid the last 2 years. 

Be prepared.... I've been every year and have been in the tail in of a hurricane, blazing sun, and about everything in between.  We always just get GA and sit on the viewing mounds... don't like the view, move a little down the grass. 

[techno]

I've been every year and have been in the tail in of a hurricane, blazing sun, and about everything in between. 

Sounds like my experience of Phillip Island.

[goldFiSh]

Sounds like my experience of Phillip Island.

+1. The place is notorious for it!

[Pedro-bot]

Thanks for all the input everyone.   

I've made my flight reservations and will purchase my tickets later today.

As far as lodging, I'm going to just get a hotel room, likely downtown. Given the history of weather extremes, I'm just going to play it safe. 

[gr1976]

Not sure what you are looking for in a hotel but they just built a JW Marriott downtown that is supposed to be very nice. Most hotels downtown are within a few blocks from each other and will be real close to the Motorcycles on Meridian event.