the year, 1989, my first time at laguna seca and i am in total awe of the machines before my very eyes that had only raced the year before in 1988 with the return of gran prix bikes back in the u.s.a, machines that up until then were only found in magazines and on broadcasts of races 2 months after they had happened. i had found my spiritual home. the race however was marred by the post race crash of bubba shobert, ending his career as a racer and eliminating the possibility of yet another american world champion.
the sights of exotic 2 strokes, ducatis, and the sounds from those said bikes was as good as any heavy metal show i had ever seen, laguna seca was a mystery and a jewel, an adventure for the motorhead, and escape from the dreary car to car world.
in the following years i would run into and thank eddie lawson for his contributions to the sport, and i would watch the u.s.a. lose the gp once again.
the next few years we would enjoy world superbike, and those years were simply out of control, the 2 race format is hard to beat, and with 1000cc ducatis fighting it out with the fastest 750cc four cylinders, this was still the best show in california. after having stayed in various hotels previously, by the time the sbk show came to town i was camping just above what is now known as rainey curve. the legendary parties are of no fables, and the entertainment on cannery row was a lot of fun too, anyone remember the blue fin? campers that had ventured into "town" had a midnight gate curfew, and i believe the 3rd time camping i made it by 2 minutes, driving sane and safe of course as monterey police are out in force during the racing events.
when word of the return of motoGP was echoed in the racing community, i pre-ordered camping, tickets, pit passes, i was ready this time. the 990 machines were by far the most wicked beasts i had ever seen, far faster than the 500s, i almost felt ripped off as the bikes were gone as fast they got there...
since the return of the u.s. round of motoGP, lodging had swung back to hotels, both good and bad. some of the adventures were borderline nightmares, one year after having driven 400+ miles i arrived at my hotel to discover bank of america had lost my payroll check that had been deposited to a human teller. after 3 hours on the phone BofA agreed the money should be there, re-deposited the funds, explaining that in the morning i would have full access to all my hard earned monies. calling the next morning nearly got me on the news, the funds had been removed from my account.
since that trip i have slept in my element in a secret camping location twice now, and this year was going to be no different. well, i will be camping, but at the track this time, not in the same area as my previous journeys took me, my new camping area will be on the other side of the track, facing turn 2, a new era of lodging has begun.
as soon as i get my area set up i will post about the trip, and after the days events are completed i will upload pics.
i am looking forward to congratulating greg wood on his first motoGP win via his rider ben spies, woody is a really cool guy and obviously a decent good luck charm.
this is going to be fun...
Labels: laguna seca, motoGP
Late 60s Ducati 350 Sebring project bike, now currently parked at RCK in Riverside, Ca. The bike will get new Bridgestone rubbers, a fresh motor, new wiring, and seat. The paint will most likely stay, giving the bike a dirty rat look, with subtle technology here and there. I am lookikg at putting LED lighting in the stock headlight housing and will work on a LED unit for the rear. 
