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08/16/2006: "The 2006 USGP!!"

First of all, to all my regular readers, I'd like to apologize for the site being down for a almost a month. I've recovered from the Technical Difficulties and have every expectation that it will be up for the unforeseeable future.

Ok, despite being late, I had to give you all my 2006 USGP report. (with pictures). So here goes . .

I decided to ride up to Monterey on Robyn. It was one hell of a ride, considering California was in the beginning of a heat wave and I chose to take the quickest route there . . I-5 . . the Grapevine . . for most of the trip. It was a hot one. I made it in one piece with only a few pounds lost due to sweating like a pig most of the way there. I rode up on Thursday so I could chill the night before all the activity started.

Friday I headed to the track to watch the MotoGP free practices and pick up the tickets to the Yamaha V.I.P. Dinner. Being a winner of the contest gave me access to park in Yamaha's VIP tent as well. The practice sessions were fun to watch and hear. What was really cool was how nice all the fans were to one another. I left the track a bit early so I could get ready for the Yahama VIP Dinner.



This picture made the dismal ride up worth every sweat-soaked mile, me on the '05 Yamaha M1 in the Kenny Robert's livery that was used in the '05 USGP.

Did I see Rossi there? Yes, He was eating dinner. He also had 2 big body guards making sure no one he didn't want to approach him could. I actually felt sorry for how his celebrity status keeps him from being able to really do anything on his own in public. I decided to be one of the fans that would simply admire him from afar. Many others did not take my position, but I couldn't really blame them either. I did get to meet some other celebs (David Allen Grier & Ian Ziering), saw some friends and met Eddie Lawson (pictured below).



On Saturday, I headed staight to the Yamaha Marketplace early so I could start collecting some of the freebies that a lot of the vendors hand out. I got a bunch of stuff. I then decided to get some good pictures of the on track action up close. I got to the inside of turn 5 to get the pics below. I decided to only to show some of the better pics/riders. (Pedrosa, Melandri, Edwards, Hayden & The Doctor)





After getting these pics, I decided to head back into the pit area (did I mention pit passes were part of the prize? ). Not only did a walk through Ducati Island and get to see Kurtis Roberts' old Proton KR, I also caught Eric Bostrom taking a ride in a golf cart.




Of course, Saturday night, I went over to the Row . . Cannery Row. It's the hot spot on race weekends in Monterey, It was a pretty thick crowd. It was made motorcycle only (no cages) around 5pm. I also got some pictures of some pretty trick bikes.






The Tiger Ducati Monster was probably the one that brought the biggest crowds and smiles. All I can say about the person/people responsible for tricking out this bike is . . 'They're GREAT!!!'

On Sunday, my boy Steve (aka Mr. Bike, my host and the friend the told me about Robyn) got me into the Red Bull VIP Compound. This is true V.I.P. Just to give you some of the V.I.P. credentials this place had:

1. You couldn't buy a pass to get in here, Red Bull gives the passes to vendors (so sell Red Bull)
2. While I was waiting for Steve to get me in, Pamela Anderson walked out
3. All you can eat gourmet buffet
4. OPEN BAR
5. Free Programs

This was THE place to be . . and I got in an hour before race time.

These pictures give you an idea of what my view of the track was for the race. There couldn't have been a better seat in the house.




What else is there to say . . . yes, I was disappointed that Rossi's M1 blew up on him . . yes, I was happy to see Nicky get the win . . . yes, the ride home was as hot at it was on the way up . . but there was a smile on my face the whole way