Thursday, September 11, 2008
A large crowd of fans visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday, Sept. 11 for the Red Bull Indianapolis GPreview, which kicked off race weekend activity at IMS for the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 12-14.
A number of fans attending the GPreview, which included MotoGP rider question-and-answer sessions and a pit walk, were asked what attracts them to MotoGP and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP:
PETE VARGAS (of Hoboken, N.J., who spent 16 hours designing his 2008 Honda CBR 1000RR to mirror the bike of MotoGP rookie standout Andrea Dovizioso): "I love the racing, excitement and atmosphere of MotoGP. These guys are out there 110 percent the whole time. I do like watching some F1 occasionally, but I eat, sleep and breathe MotoGP and all the other classes. Since (IMS) announced MotoGP was coming here, I have been on the Web site ordering shirts, looking at the development pictures when you guys were paving the track and when testing was here a few months ago. I have been all over that. I grew up watching (Nicky) Hayden, but my favorite rider right now is Valentino (Rossi). I love the way Andrea Dovizioso rides; the passion and the heart. It's a lot like how (Casey) Stoner rides. He's a very fiery kid. I root for the Americans, though. I flew in this morning, got my car and came right here. My wife and I haven't even slept yet."
CHUCK CARTER (Indianapolis): "I've been following MotoGP since 2002, and I've been a huge fan of not only MotoGP, but AMA Superbikes and racing in general. As owner of 13 motorcycles, I'm pretty much a motorcycle fanatic. MotoGP is the Formula One racing for motorcycles. I ride a BMW street bike and for touring and long distance, like down to Key West and back. I do vintage motocross racing, also. I heard rumors two or three years ago that MotoGP was coming. As a matter of fact, (IMS President and Chief Operating Officer) Joie Chitwood was at Marian College for a presentation on the status of Formula One in Indianapolis and America. I got Joie off to the side and I had my red MotoGP hat on, and I said, 'Joie, you know what I'm here for.' I told him the Indianapolis Motor Speedway only goes first class, and MotoGP is first class. When it became official, I went pretty nuts."
DAN BOYLE (New Jersey, age 13): "I like seeing the bikes go down way low and see how they just stick. It's amazing. I race dirt bikes back home and race with 23 other kids. With dirt bikes, you have jumps and turns, and you have to plan it all out. This stuff you have to know your lines and every little bit of the track."
DANIEL RODARDE (Chicago): "I am a Formula One follower, and the reason why I'm down here is because we didn't get F1 for this year, so this is another good option. I have only been here two hours, and I am amazed with all the changes here. I'm hoping it is going to be great. I'm here usually for the (Indianapolis) 500 qualifying and practices, and I have been here for NASCAR the last three years. I'm looking forward to a great weekend, and this time I am staying for the race."
JASON SPALDING (Orlando, Fla.): "I like Suzuki, but I'm a fan of all motorcycles, and we came out to watch the races. I watch a little bit of car races, but mostly bikes. The last turn, the straightaway and the first turn into the infield looks a little like Daytona, where you are coming off the banking and having to brake really hard."
TARA SPALDING (Orlando, Fla.): "This is our first time in Indianapolis. I like the racing in MotoGP. I like how the races are shorter, and I used to ride, so I like watching the bikes."
***
Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets: Tickets are on sale for the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sept. 14, 2008.
Three-day tickets can be purchased either online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; or visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Single-day general admission tickets will be available at the gate Friday, Sept. 12 and Saturday, Sept. 13. The one-day tickets are $10 each Friday and $20 each Saturday. These tickets only can be purchased at the gates with cash.
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