Question for WSB at Laguna...

[canucklehead-biker]

Hi all,

Planning on being at Laguna in September for the WSB, and looking at getting advance tickets, which have an option of either Turn 4 or Turn 11 seating in the Grandstand.

Question for those who're familiar with the track - which corner is preferred? or does it matter?

Also suggestions for reasonable motel somewhere in the area are welcome.

Thanks,

Griff

 

[scubatech]

Hi all,
Planning on being at Laguna in September for the WSB, and looking at getting advance tickets, which have an option of either Turn 4 or Turn 11 seating in the Grandstand.

Question for those who're familiar with the track - which corner is preferred? or does it matter?

Also suggestions for reasonable motel somewhere in the area are welcome.

Thanks,

Griff

When I went we stayed in Salinas and did the beautiful 17 mile drive everyday. It's a lot cheaper, got the tickets on a Cycle World promotion.Fantastic track & area.

 

[wfooshee]

Never been there, but I've ridden and driven it for years in video games!!!! :-D

Turn 4 is faster, but there's more action at turn 11, dumping down into the tight almost-hairpin before the main straight. You might be able to see the starts from 11 as well.

 

[rmcobb]

We have been in both Grandstands and prefer T4. The T11 Grandstands aren't really at T11. They're right at the start line, and you don't get a real good view of T11 action other than watching the jumbo tron. Only if you're sitting in the far end of the Grandstands nearest to T11 would you get a good view of T11 action. You can see what I'm talking about by just going to Google Earth and view the track. You're there for the start, which is exciting, but after that all you see in real life is the bikes zooming by.

You have a jumbo tron at T4 as well. In T4 Grandstands you have a good view of T3 exit and T4 as long as you're in section A or B. You then can see them progress to T5. If you get T4 section C or D, you lose the view of T3 exit, but still have a good view of T4 and the run up to T5.

Personally I like T4.

Randy

 

[canucklehead-biker]

Thanks Randy... T4 it is!

Griff

 

[flienlow]

I had granstand seating for MOTOGP. I wont do that again. Too much fencing and crap in the way. We ended up staying on the outside of turn 9. you can the cork screw, 10 and maybe 11 if you play it right. Of course this all depends on if you want to see the finish. Anyway, you get to see more of the race that way.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

Thanks for the tip. I have tickets for 3 days, so (hopefully) time to scope out best locations etc. during the race weekend.

 

[rmcobb]

Griff,

The track is great to wander all over. Definetely take time during all the Practices to see the various sections. We only sit in our Grandstand seats for the race itself. You especially want to spend time at the corkscrew for portions of the practice sessions.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

Definitely want to hang at the corkscrew, and yeah, wandering is good. I have grandstand seats, paddock pass and a lap of the track on Saturday... it's gonna be a great weekend

 

[flienlow]

Regarless of where you end up. It's gonna be bad ass!

 

[Jim in Phoenix]

I used to go and we always sat in turn 4 grandstands. There is an econolodge in Salinas which was reasonable and we used. Finally, we took the free bus to the track which was very convenient and had fast access to the track. Unless you have motorcycle parking at the track, ride the bus. And even if you have the parking, consider using the bus. On race day, things can get crazy there.

 

[DennisJ]

I'll second the bus. I grew up in Carmel and went to all the races for the first couple of years. Skip about 35 years and my sister is back in Carmel so a quick drive up from LA and then the bus from the MPC campus to the track. Painless and great to leave the driving to someone else after hiking all over the track for three days. The bus had a reserved lane so getting back to the highway was quick, much quicker than driving.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

I'll look for the bus for Friday ... but I'm planning a getaway after the races Sunday, and I have track access for a 'parade lap' on Saturday... so gonna have to bring the FJR for that.

Griff

 

[rmcobb]

The buses are something they do for MotoGP, they may not be doing that for WSBK. Hard to say until we get closer. They won't get the same attendance at WSBK that they do for MotoGP, so my guess would be they won't be doing the buses, but I could be wrong. As the time gets closer they'll have it posted.

 

[Bugnatr]

September is the best month at the coast, won't be as cold as the fog in the summer. I learned the old saying "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" .

You will enjoy Laguna Seca and the the whole area but most things are pricey in that region.