British Moto-GP

Maybe put some Ventureshield stuff on top of it??

Originally Posted by CheGuevara

Thinking of getting Loris and Chris to sign my solo-seat cowl

Why would you want to de-value your own goods? J/k.

The Suzook's are terrible this year though, I haven't seen Vermin on screen all season so Sunday will be the first time I've seen him for a loooong time!

Hope you have a great day matey

[CheGuevara]

What a weekend!

Friday at Donington for the practice, then Saturday at the Silverstone Classic, and then back to Donnington on Sunday for the race.

I had free roam of the paddock, we also spent over an hour inside the Suzuki garage during qualifying, and a bit of time out in pit lane. We had a nice catered lunch (roast lamb) with free beer, wine and other bevs, free swag (Rizla flex-fit cap, umbrella and some other knick-knacks), chat with Chris and Loris -more stuff than I can remember at the moment.

I've got several hundred pics from the weekend to sort through and resize before uploading, but I'll get it done as soon as I've had some rest. I've got hundreds of brilliant memories, moments, and bar-stool stories as well.

I now have the following autographs on the solo cowl for my SV:

Valentino Rossi
Chris Vermuelen
Loris Capirossi
James Toseland

And these on my helmet:

Chris Vermuelen
Loris Capirossi
James Tosleand
Colin "nearly killed me with his pit scooter" Edwards
Nicky "Grumpy Gus" Hayden
John Reynolds (We had lunch - well, in the same tent anyhow)
Kevin Schwantz (Legend!)
Randy "Take care of that." Mamola (also Legend! To be fair I think he just meant because it was raining - not to spoil the autograph and helmet)

And just missed those of:

Lorenzo (Dude -turn that frown upside down!)
Stoner (Waited for ages as I could see him just inside the Duc tent -stepped away for 2 mins to take a leak and he disappeared! Damn you Red Bull and Becks!)
De Puniet (wild party in that tent with champagne and "playboy bunnies")

And of course I got Chris and Loris to sign my Rizla cap, which now lives in a cabinet along with the one I bought last year and had signed by them, and Ben Spies (who was guest riding as Loris had a cast on his hand).

We watched the race from the infield up on the hill opposite from Starkeys (after watching the start) with a view of the bikes as they snaked up the hill and around McLean's (great name for a corner if there ever was one -my surname). Witnessed the Elias crash first hand - man did he ever lay down a huge shower of sparks, and slid for a loooong ways. I've still yet to see the entire race, so looking forward to that.

The weather was apparently tricky -too damp for slicks, not wet enough for wets, and speaking to Loris after the race he apologised for what he felt was his mistake in changing tires, and admitted he'd found it difficult in those conditions. He's a class act that guy, as is Chris... and could teach a thing or two to a few of the other riders (~cough~ Hayden ~cough~). Toseland seems a good bloke too - willing to have a quick word, take pics, and sign autographs.

I'd had these VIP tix last year as well - and didn't think then that it could be topped, but Suzuki really outdid themselves this year, and it was an amazing experience. They might not have placed well in the race, but I wouldn't have picked any other team as my host (try and have a chat with Rossi after the race -can't seem to be bothered to sign an autograph for the handful of fans who stood outside the Fiat tent in the rain waiting for him for hours afterwards).

It's a shame it won't be run at Donington next year, but I'm happy to have been able to watch the finale of Moto-GP at Donington... and man, what a weekend! 4

(pics in the next day or so as time/wife permits)

Must...resist...feelings...of...intense....jealous y

Glad you had a good one matey, know anyone who's able to get hold of any of these special tickets for Silverstone next year?

[CheGuevara]

LOL cheers. If I'm lucky I might get one for next year (I had a nice chat with the lady from our mobile provider, who gave us the passes -so fingers crossed).

To be perfectly honest though, I'm completely exhausted, and a small part of me thinks it'd just be nice to show up with a chair and a cooler full of beer, and just relax and watch the race rather than run around trying to make the most of every minute. It's a very small part of me that thinks that though...

[fizzwheel]

Cool, sounds like you had an even better paddock experience than I did

Looking forward to the photos

I agree about Stoner, he doesnt want to talk to anybody and he rides around the paddock on his pit scooter and full tilt and wont stop at all. He is a bit of a miserable git, I am begining to understand now why the brit fans dont like him....

I thought all the riders were pretty good all seemed happy to stop and have pics taken. JT especially.

[jamesterror]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I agree about Stoner, he doesnt want to talk to anybody and he rides around the paddock on his pit scooter and full tilt and wont stop at all. He is a bit of a miserable git, I am begining to understand now why the brit fans dont like him....

When he fell off in qualifying at McLean's the crowd round by that corner started cheering, obviously not a popular bloke.

[CheGuevara]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Cool, sounds like you had an even better paddock experience than I did

Looking forward to the photos

I agree about Stoner, he doesnt want to talk to anybody and he rides around the paddock on his pit scooter and full tilt and wont stop at all. He is a bit of a miserable git, I am begining to understand now why the brit fans dont like him....

I thought all the riders were pretty good all seemed happy to stop and have pics taken. JT especially.

I saw your pics - brilliant! I doubt mine will be as nice!

To be fair to Stoner - earlier when I waited for him and Hayden between the traileers and garage, Hayden didn't even look up and acknowlege when I asked for an autograph, whereas Stoner at least looked me in the eye, apologised and looked like he meant it (heading into the garage for the race so fair enough). I only missed Stoner after the race due to my weak bladder and free beverages, but my buddy says he stopped for pics and autographs.

Hayden on the other hand (and aside from the above) - on Friday about 6 people were waiting for him outside the garage when he left practice, after much pleading he signed maybe 3 autographs and waved the others off. On Sunday eve he was in a foul mood seemingly and walked right past a group of people (who had been patiently waiting in the rain) asking for autographs, and barely managed to scratch something resembling an autograph on my helmet (fortunatley small enough I'm not too fussed).

I get that these guys are busy, under a lot of pressure, and don't always have time, but with great skill comes great responsibility, and clearly some guys manage to handle it a lot better, and more graciously than others. Wouldn't have cost him (Hayden) any more time to look up, (fake a) smile and say sorry as he went by, and it would have meant a few fans weren't standing around thinking "What a grumy ****" in the end

[fizzwheel]

Hayden seemed quite jovial after free practice on saturday when I took his pic. He was all smiles and having his picture taken and signing stuff.. he seemd like a decent enough guy, but I'm not surprised he was in a foul mood after the race, him and Stoner made completely the wrong decision, they only have themselves to blame.

Originally Posted by CheGuevara

it'd just be nice to show up with a chair and a cooler full of beer...

Tell you what mate, if you can sort me one of those tickets I'll bring you a cooler full of beer, or two Can you even buy those 'full paddock access' tickets or do they only give them to businesses?