sigh... Never, ever take the MST bus (local municipal bus line). It comes by every freaking hour. We were told it comes every 15 minutes, so after mogogp qualifying on Saturday, I decided to use the bathroom real quick seeing the bus was already outside. Then my fears struck me as I saw the schedule sign underneath the bus stop - every freaking hour. We took this bus since some friends had our tickets and they picked us up at the Embassy Suites hotel (and they camped so they had to go outside) but missed their deadline to park inside in vendor since they're vendors also (distributor for Tpro and what not).
Ducati Island is the same though less Ducati's parking I thought. Ducati models/umbrella girls were so so. But the hospitality suite was nice - 1 large LCD screen, free breakfast, expresso/cofee (Lavila design - spelling?), snacks in afternoon, free water, shaded, etc. Of course, there's the Ducati grandstand by Turn 2. I'll probably contact Ducati NA to see if I can volunteer next year for Saturday or something since they got different Ducati staff shirts. :P Honda Riders Club of America was so so (HRCA since I'm also a member from my 150RB purchase). 3 big screens with two of them being in an isolated room with couches. Actually plenty of couches outside the isolated area but you'd be turning around just to watch, straining your back and neck. They had fruits, water and lemonade but that's it.
Vendor selection seem slightly smaller. Did the raffles in case I get to win another thing like last year (I won a Scorpion helmet). I was hoping to win a Vanson custom fit leathers, but alas, I guess it wasn't meant to be. :) I did find a couple of trick things I'd like - a MotoR brake reservoir holder for the GSX-R race bike, since I had to bed a funky bracket to hold the MC cylinder. This was much cleaner going thru the clip-on. I might change to HEL brake lines so I'll only have a single line with a mid-line splitter to the left side (will make life easier when I put in my under-the-triple front stand). Someone told me some problems on the GSX-R fading issue can be cured by using -2 brake lines using stock piston. Superbike lines require more strength and the stock MC of the GSX-R is not strong enough sometimes, no matter how much bleeding you do (we're up to the $100 Castrol brake fluid at this point). I didn't take pictures of the umbrella girls but a few cuties out there. I shouldn't have stopped by SpeedMoto booth since now I have a wish list for my 1098S. Worse, I stopped by a vendor I'm not too fond off due to an off experience and I also have a wish list from there (almost sprung for Sato rearsets for my 1098S, but I'd rather get them directly from Sato for the same price). Now I'm also drooling for the Ohlins TTX shock (easier adjust ability and just a better shock than my current Ohlins). But that'll probably be for next year when I'll really track the bike.
ASV road bike levers aren't really all that great. Hard to adjust on the fly. Not sure I wanna try them myself. The minute adjust ability is awesome, but I need to adjust on the fly at times with some fading issue sometimes. CRG wasn't there though. Heard their warehouse was on fire earlier this year. Really wanted to see some stuff from them. I also sat on the 09 Yamaha Zuma 125 (4 stroke). But jeez, it's significantly heavier than my Zuma 50cc 2-stroke. Sure it has more power and can go higher top speed, but it's bigger in person compared to Yamaha's claimed dimensions. Will be a pita to load with race bike in van already. Didn't dwell much with Suzuki bikes tent, Yamaha let alone Kawi. But I saw a sweet 150RB set with a BBR frame and the works (trick triples, risers, etc.). Only thing stock on it was the engine and wheels. I was drooling.
On to Sunday... Decided to park where we park last year for general admission. They have tour busses runinng every 5 minutes in a long line of them. The longest wait we ever had going to and coming from track was 5 minutes. Watched GP free practice in Ducati hospitality suite. Was freaking cold all morning and it didn't warm up until about the Red Bulls Rookie race (and even then I had to have the jacket on while watching on the hill). GP race was exciting as everyone was oohhh... ahhhhh on the passing (won't spoil it for those that didn't watch it, though you have no excuse since it's on the dreaded CBS channel with dreaded CBS commentators). Great to see Spies ride.
Watched the AMA superbike a bit when with 3 laps to go, time to take off with Mladin in a commanding lead. Did a little shopping at Ducati (not quite little, but not quite a lot!). Caught up the day before with a fellow Ducatista though I'm just mesmerized that after buying a 1098R, bought a 2009 1000RR and has a Desmo on the way. This after he sold his previous Ducati with little miles just to get the 1098R. Oh, he still has the R1 in the garage and finally put it together and will be sold soon. I'm in the wrong industry!!! of course, he's in the Turn 4 flag station hospitality suite (the pampered version that costs $$$) along with his family.
I wasn't going to go, but I guess last minute info changed my mind. No regrets though aside from I still wanted to be in the pampered hospitality suite next time.
"Leaders are like tea; put them in hot water to find out how strong they are." Anonymous