Moto GP

Mara69

onlyroz wrote: »

I went to one at Donnington about 7 years ago and it was a horrid horrid day. P*ssing with rain and attempting to push a buggy through a quagmire was one of the more memorable moments - along with absolutely nowhere to shelter and about a mile walk back through the mud to get to the car, over several footbridges (near impossible with a buggy). Don't really remember much about the motorbikes...

Seriously, taking a child in a buggy to this sort of event is nothing short of madness! I'm not surprised you hated it; I bet the poor kid did too.

onlyroz

Mara69 wrote: »

Seriously, taking a child in a buggy to this sort of event is nothing short of madness! I'm not surprised you hated it; I bet the poor kid did too.

In retrospect it was not a good idea. I remember trying to feed him through a crack in the buggy's rain shield, and changing his nappy while others held waterproof coats over him. Cost a bloody fortune as well.

marisco_2

This thread has actually inspired me to look into going to see some live bike racing. Many of you speak really passionately about it and it sounds like a fab day out.

When I was growing up my dad worked for Mclarens and we went every year to the Formula 1 races at Brands and Silverstone. The atmosphere is far better when the course is packed.

Even the very long drive to the track queuing to get in from miles out was fun. The atmosphere was brilliant.

lionheartedgirl

I'm bike racing mad, and would say that BSB is much better value for money and the racing is just as good, if not better in some races, plus the grids are fuller.

If you go to a couple in a season, you get to know who's where in the championship and it makes it more entertaining. If you like Moto2 (the best racing of all the MotoGP classes imho!) you would really enjoy the Superstock 600s - mostly really young guys with no sense of their own mortality, really close racing on stock (minimally modified) bikes.

One of the best circuits I've been to (and I've watched or raced at most of the ones in the UK, plus Assen lucky me!) for watching is Brands Hatch. Good viewing from pretty much everywhere on the circuit. It's the season opener normally over the Easter Bank Holiday.

You can get weekend tickets for most of the BSB rounds for about £40 in advance or £25 for race day.

My ex hubs went to MotoGP at Donington one year but has always preferred BSB.

If you're in the East Mids you have LOADS of circuits to choose from on the doorstep. Cadwell (just gone for this year sadly, August Bank hol every year) is meant to be a brilliant one especially if you go for the whole weekend.

It's addictive, I absolutely love it. Hope you both enjoy it.

MrsDrink

We went as a family a few years back (2009?) to Donnington - Lol yup it was wet and miserable. (Family = Me, MrD, his parents, and his nephews who were 7+)

Mmm was it worth it? That depends on what you go for. You see more on the TV. (At all levels of racing). Trackside you only get to see that section of the track plus a big screen if you're lucky. Chances are you won't be close enough to a loud speaker to hear the commentators. And as others have said - if it rains it is miserable. Plus if it rains they just don't push as hard.

BUT that being said. I would recommend going to see MotoGP once. (It's not very MSE but I would recommend going over to Valencia - I would say the atmosphere there would be awesome.) It is so much more impressive than club level, BSB, WSB. (Seen them all). The sounds of the bikes for starters. The skill of the riders. Plus you get to see your 'hero' riding (assuming he has one). Etc etc.

If you're on about going to see a BSB round then Cadwell Park's is the one to go to. But unfortunately you've just missed this years - it's held over the August bank holiday. That has the best atmosphere. Or at least had - this year there weren't as many spectators as previous years. WSB doesn't have the same following as either BSB or MotoGP (in my opinion/experience) so the trackside seriously lacks atmosphere. I wouldn't bother going to one of them again.

Alternatively if you live anywhere near a track (Cadwell Park - Louth, Snetterton - Thetford, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park - Chester(ish), Croft - Darlington, Mallory Park - Leicester, Donington Park - Derby) then you could always go and see club level racing. You would get the opportunity to walk round the paddock and see the bikes as well. This is definitely a MSE way to do it, and you can get to see some good riding. Clubs I know of: Derby Pheonix, New Era, Bemsee. They'd have their race meetings details online for you to plan a weekend away/day trip.

Grumpygit

Not been to the UK tracks but have been to Misano and Laguna Seca for the GP and loved them both in different ways.

The Misano one was soo passionate because it's the home race to so many riders and the atmosphere is unreal (although a bit confusing for non Italian speakers like us)

The Laguna Seca (California) was just brilliant for the circuit (Corkscrew bend is just awe inspiring when you see bikes go over it in real life) and the Americans treat it as a day out - the only downside (apart from being the other side of the world!) is that its only the GP that goes there not the other classes which is disappointing but they have other bike races there.

We are going to go to another one next year, either Silverstone or Le Mans - but because of the dates, it will probably be Le Mans and it's closer and easier for us to get there.

If it's for a special thing then yes, if you can afford it, get Moto GP tickets, but if it's more for the racing and the quantity of racing, then BSB or WSB or other racing events would be good as there is a lot of hype surrounding the GP which is understandable because of what it is.

Also, if you can get them, get a Paddock pass - you get to see the riders up close when they are going in and out of the garages - we did this at Laguna and have autographs of riders, close up pics (a good one of Stoner with my dd reflected in his shades) and just being able to shake hands and wish them luck......we also have two T shirts as Colin Edwards was throwing them into the crowd and I caught one and then one of his engineers gave one to my dd.

Sorry for the long post, but if he's into it then go for it. If you have to buy the tickets shortly, then you need to look to see what you want and where to sit and where the big screens are - this is very important.

At Laguna we got grandstand seats at the start/finish line which was opposite the garages, the podium and a big screen! These sorts of tickets will be more expensive though.

Lincoln_Imp

butterflylady wrote: »

Ok, well all the positive feedback has made me decide to go for it!! Just need to find £120 to pay for the tickets now!!

120 quid ..christ :eek:
MotoGP has become to boring for me ,not enough bikes racing

Has been mentioned would sooner go and see BSB or WSB (£25 for BSB £40 for WSB and you get more for your money)
Donnington is an excellent bikers track ,silverstone is an excellent car track but rather boring for bikes

valentina

If you are spending £120 I assume you are getting 2 x weekend tickets? I don't think these tickets include a seat on Sunday - I think I'm right in saying you would need a roving grandstand or reserved grandstand ticket if you want a grandstand seat for Sunday (race day). Might be worth checking anyway if you do decide to go for it.

neneromanova

OH loves Moto GP and said the best place to sit/stand is Village B. Apparently you get the new corners then them blasting off down the straight so it's a good photo opportunity.

OH want's to go but says it's been pretty boring races lately. but each to their own.

Grumpygit

Yeh, the races have been pretty boring lately however, there are changes next year with new blood and riders moving teams so hopefully it will be better for the viewers but fans will love it no matter what