Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Motorcycle Trip to Sonoma, Ca, Infineon Raceway-Part 2 The Event

The three days at Infineon was a lot of fun. The displays were great. There were two displays of vintage motorcycles. The Army had a big presence. The paddock where all the teams parked there haulers and trucks were open. The larger teams had garages that were also open. On Saturday and Sunday just before racing started, those with a "Grid Pass" could go onto the track and the pit area and talk with the teams. The "Grid Pass" was included in my ticket package.

The racing was spectacular. There were four classes of road racing: TTXGP(Time Trial Extreme GP) Electric bikes, Supersport, Daytona Sport Bikes and AMA Superbikes. On Saturday and Sunday, the Supersports, Daytona Sport Bikes and AMA Superbikes raced. The TTXGP only raced on Sunday. When there wasn't racing going on, there was practice or qualifying. The racing was intense. Some races would see the lead change every lap. Crashes happened and often the racer would show up in the next race. It was definatly not just a parade around the course. Infineon has got great views of the course. From the grandstand you could probably see 2/3rds of the course. From the turn 9 terraces, you could probably see 3/4's of the course.

Two historical items happened during the weekend. One, Elena Myers, a 16 year old lady won the Saturday supersport race. This was the first female to win an AMA pro race. The second was the first electric motorcycle race in the United States. This was also very exciting racing and has promise for indoor racing in the future.

My camp was nothing more than a spot in a grassy fields with a few sanicans around. I had to fill my waterbottles at the track. But it was comfortable and close and my fellow campers were frindly and quiet.

Following racing on Saturday, I went for a ride to Napa and then the back roads through the vineyards to Sonoma. Both towns were neat and I can see why people like to visit the area.

There are many more pictures on my Facebook page.

Continued on Part 3

Erik Buell Racing's trackside pits.

The winning TTXGP electric motorcycle.


Used up tires at the Dunlop Tire shop.

Turn 9 action. The main grandstand in the background.

Looking off the back of the grandstand at the paddock and the display areas.

The other way behind the grandstand, more display and one of the motorcycle parking areas.


The winning TTXGP electric bike doing a massive burnout. Do not understand how he had enough energy left!


Opening ceremonies.

The Superbike Class lined up ready to start.

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