Have Any Oppos Been To Moto GP?

"Tripper" (tripe46)
08/03/2017 at 12:23 • Filed to: None

I’m planning my best friend’s bachelor party, and it is most likely going to be in Austin on GP weekend 2018. Both he and I have been to F1 at COTA, but neither of us have been to any motorcycle race. So what can I expect?

I’m assuming a smaller crowd than F1, but I’m trying to gauge how much time we will need/want to spend at the track. I would estimate that about 1/3 of the attendees of the bachelor party are gear-heads or otherwise enthused by fast things. The other 2/3 has nothing against fast things, but won’t want to spend an entire day/multiple days at the track, and will mainly be there for the drinking/debauchery.

While we could separate as Austin is a super cool city, I’d like to keep us together as much as possible to maximize fun/involvement. At the moment I’m thinking race day only (Sunday?) and suggesting that everyone go to the race.

Planning on getting an AirBnB for 15 or so.

Oppoinions?

How much are GP tix (ballpark)?

Where would you sit want to sit? Turn 1?

Activities outside of COTA? We had no trouble getting into trouble when we went to F1, but I’m open to suggestions.

Favorite restaurants in Austin?

DISCUSSION (6)

RallyWrench > Tripper
08/03/2017 at 12:31

I went to two at Laguna Seca, it was a madhouse. COTA is undoubtedly a much better facility for it, but I found the AMA weekend at Laguna to be much more chill and cheaper than MotoGP, with equally good racing, and paddock access. Too many squid bros & plastic ladies at MotoGP.

Tripper > RallyWrench
08/03/2017 at 12:35

Awesome! Laguna Seca is on my bucket list. One of my coworker’s kids is an instructor there and he goes all the time, then tells me about it and makes me jealous.

I will check out AMA weekend at COTA assuming there is one, thanks for the tip!

RallyWrench > Tripper
08/03/2017 at 13:27

I love the place, spend a lot of time there. No video game or simulator I’ve tried does it justice. I’ll be camping there next month for the IMSA weekend.

COTA is great though, a far more user-friendly facility, and Austin has a lot more *ahem* extracurricular activities for something like a bachelor party.

carzcarzcarz > Tripper
08/03/2017 at 14:49

We’ve gone to MotoGP at COTA for the last 5 years, it’s much less crowded and laid back than F1. I don’t remember how much tickets are, but they weren’t that much and cheaper than F1.

We usually just get the General Admission tickets and just walk all around the track, bring lawn chairs (also good way to sneak in drinks). If you do go for multiple days, they are pretty lax on who can get into the stands on Fri & Sat. For the races they crack down on seating, but it’s still possible to sneak in, but would be hard for a large group.

There really are quite a few good places to watch from, best to just walk and figure out which place you like the most. Turn 1 is good, the S’s from T3-T5, we really like T10 cause it’s not as crowded and great view of back straight (long hike though), and the T15-T16 is also really good (see them come off back straight and through multiple turns).

There’s lots to do in and around Austin, ton’s of bars, breweries, great BBQ, go-karts, Hand Built Bike Show, etc....

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Tripper
08/03/2017 at 16:09

You will expect some madly fast bikes. On the back straight the hondas hit at least 200. Fast as an f1 car on the back straight

sn4cktimes > Tripper
08/03/2017 at 19:37

Haven’t got to a GP race yet but should see some Supermoto while at the WRXC race this weekend in Quebec. I’d love to see some FAST bikes at some point. Would like to see somebody flat track at some point too.