MotoGP Laguna Seca 2006

[AReeves]

It's not too early to start planning for a trip to watch MotoGP at Laguna Seca next
July 21-23. You'll need to start saving $$ because the prices have gone up. We just
got our renewal ticket forms and although kinda expecting it, the increase is significant.
We've sent them off, so I can't tell you exactly the amount of the increase and I checked
Laguna Seca's website and they haven't posted them. Those who did not receive a
renewal form can order tickets online, or by calling, starting September 1.

I understand that the hotels in the area are already booking for those dates. Monterey is a
very popular summer destination anyway and hotels are hard to come by. Salinas is
close to the racetrack, has lots of hotels, and is generally less expensive.

If you enjoy motorcycle racing at it's finest, if the roar of those engines give you goose-
bumps, start planning to come to California next summer. There's lots to see and do in
the Monterey Bay area including the awesome Monterey Bay Aquarium, shopping in Carmel, Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Cannery Row, and riding down Hwy 1 along the Pacific Coast. You won't regret it. Hope to see more of you there next year. -Ann

[spotbeagle]

We're already planning. The hotel we stayed at this year has guests give a yay or nay on whether they want the same room held for the following year's events when you check-in. You only get to move rooms if someone else cancels or lets them know up front that they will not be returning for the next year. My fiancee and the other couple we rode up with have been staying there for several years, so we have our rooms reserved already.

[AReeves]

And this time we'll be sure to hook up, come rain or shine. Speaking of rain, did you watch Donington on TV?? Wasn't that incredible? Wow! -A

[spotbeagle]

Haven't had a chance to watch the Donnington race yet - probably Saturday.

[Steve]

As much as we hope that the U.S. MotoGP event will be successful, 2005 will probably be the last time Margaret and I will attend.

The Salinas motel that charged $89 has set next year's rate at $255. Maybe it's not that much when you consider the total cost of the trip (from Virginia) but we have to draw the line somewhere.

Needless to say, the traffic conditions at Laguna Seca also factor into the decision about returning. We'll stick with the AMA at Sears Point when we are out west, and VIR closer to home.

It was a great trip, however, when we weren't stuck in traffic...

[Steve]

[AReeves]

Nice picture of Jake, and your wife? Isn't Yosemite beautiful? Your pictures are great.
Here are some I took ( I haven't figured out how to post them here so it's a link):

http://www.geocities.com/areeves1210...eca_page1.html
http://www.geocities.com/areeves1210...eca_Page2.html

I really need to get a digital camera!!
That's too bad about the price gouging altho supply and demand surely apply here. Darlene (NGR2) was telling me that the Salinas HIE is already sold out of rooms for that wknd. It's unfortunate, but there will probably be plenty of places that won't gouge if you can get them booked early enough. Watsonville is only about 15 minutes away and has a number of hotels also that folks can try to find less expensive rooms.
We also had a great time and wouldn't miss it for the world, but we don't live in Virginia either! Still, we have traveled to both Estoril and Valencia to watch MotoGP in Europe. Estoril was a bit of a mess with traffic, but not as bad as Laguna Seca. Valencia was dialed in! Those Spaniards have got it figured out! I just read on the MotoGP site that Valencia is 66% sold out on their tickets already, and going fast. With the points lead for 2,3,4 & 5th so close right now, it should be interesting. -Ann

[LDYAPXR]

Ok, the Holiday Inn Express in Watsonville is only charging $89 per night if you book now. That is where we are staying. We stayed in Morgan Hill this year and Watsonville is a little closer. To be honest, the ride into the track in the morning is a nice way to get ready for the races.

[Steve]

Watsonville is only about 15 minutes away

Not on the race weekend! LOL Shoot, after we spent three hours to get those first few miles away from the track, I suppose we could have forgotten about a motel. At the speeds folks are driving on 101 and 880 these days, we could have reached my sister's house in Castro Valley in another hour and slept there for free...

Yes, that's my wife Margaret with Jake. It was nice of him to hang around on Sunday and spend some time at the Honda Riders Club tent, um, I mean "suite" before returning to Paso Robles.

Have a great time at your future MotoGP events! I'll be watching the live feed on the website.

[spotbeagle]

What we like about Carmel Valley - not Carmel - is that it odes take us 5 minutes to go from the track to the hotel - everyone is heading toward Monterey at the end of the day, and we're heading the other direction. I should clarify the five minutes though - it was 5 minutes for us on bikes. Two of our friends were in a rental car which they were parking on the hill on the way up to the corkscrew - total time for them from parking lot to hotel - 30 minutes. Still not bad when other folks we knew were taking 3 hours to get to Monterey.