Saturday, February 1, 2014
Monday, July 29, 2013
Laguna Moto 7-2013
I had a great time at Mazda Raceway 2 weeks ago photographing the Moto GP race for Ultimate MotorCycling magazine.
Here are some photos and links:
Some of my pics from the race
Here are some photos and links:
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Casey Stoner Wins!
Well,
Dreams do come true, sometimes. My Boy, Casey Stoner, clinched the 2007 Moto GP Championships and so did Ducati. Casey Stoner is a 21 year old from Australia. This is his second year in the Premier class and he won!
Stoner seems like such a nice kid. He's the son I wish I had.
So far after 12 races, he's won 8 of them. This kid is just getting started.
Casey helped Ducati win the manufactures championship. Or you might say Ducati helped Casey win. Either way they're a great combination.
Also this is the first time in 34 years that a non Japanese motorcycle has won the GP class.
Go Casey and Ducati!
Dreams do come true, sometimes. My Boy, Casey Stoner, clinched the 2007 Moto GP Championships and so did Ducati. Casey Stoner is a 21 year old from Australia. This is his second year in the Premier class and he won!
Stoner seems like such a nice kid. He's the son I wish I had.
So far after 12 races, he's won 8 of them. This kid is just getting started.
Casey helped Ducati win the manufactures championship. Or you might say Ducati helped Casey win. Either way they're a great combination.
Also this is the first time in 34 years that a non Japanese motorcycle has won the GP class.
Go Casey and Ducati!
AMA Finals
Hi,
I know it's been a while since my last post. I was busy. Sorry.
Anyway, one of the fun things I did a couple of weeks ago was ride up to Laguna Seca (Monterey, Ca) and attend the AMA Finals. The AMA Finals= Americam Motorcyle Association last race for Superbike (1000cc heavily modified), Supersport (1000cc not modified much), Formula Extreme (600cc heavily moded), and Superstock (600cc not moded much).
I rode up the 5 to the 198 which is through the town of Coalinga. Coalinga, Ca is a very small town with a Big mental Hospital and a Big Prison. Terrible town. I feel sorry for anyone who lives there.
Highway 198 was very nice. 58 miles of nice pavement, nice twisties, and hardly any cars. The scenery was nice too. Farms with cows and lots of grass.
That took me to the 101. The 5 and the 101 are very boring freeways. Well come to think about it, all freeways are boring, but they are the quickest way to get you to your destination.
I went by myself and wanted to get to Monterey ASAP.
I arrived in the town of Marina, a few miles from the track and close enough to Monterey. I spent 3 nights at the lovely Ramada Inn, Marina. Actually it was a very nice hotel. Nice bathroom with Jacuzzi style tub, a living room, King bed, and 2 TV's.
Back to the races. I had great seats for both Saturday and Sunday. Premier Pit Row #1. The best in the house. Those seats gave me access to the pits and pit row.
Saturday was qualifying. Sunday, the races. Both days were real good.
I had dinner Friday night with Gary and his wife Denise from Marin County. They were checking in the same time I was at the Ramada. We started talking bikes and they asked if I'd join them for dinner. We had a nice meal at this Italian joint across the street. We talked about motorcycles of course. What else is there in life?
Gary worked for Marin BMW Motorcycles.
It's not even about the races as much as the ride up and back, the other motorcycle enthusiasts you meet and talk to, and the general ambiance of the event.
See ya!
I know it's been a while since my last post. I was busy. Sorry.
Anyway, one of the fun things I did a couple of weeks ago was ride up to Laguna Seca (Monterey, Ca) and attend the AMA Finals. The AMA Finals= Americam Motorcyle Association last race for Superbike (1000cc heavily modified), Supersport (1000cc not modified much), Formula Extreme (600cc heavily moded), and Superstock (600cc not moded much).
I rode up the 5 to the 198 which is through the town of Coalinga. Coalinga, Ca is a very small town with a Big mental Hospital and a Big Prison. Terrible town. I feel sorry for anyone who lives there.
Highway 198 was very nice. 58 miles of nice pavement, nice twisties, and hardly any cars. The scenery was nice too. Farms with cows and lots of grass.
That took me to the 101. The 5 and the 101 are very boring freeways. Well come to think about it, all freeways are boring, but they are the quickest way to get you to your destination.
I went by myself and wanted to get to Monterey ASAP.
I arrived in the town of Marina, a few miles from the track and close enough to Monterey. I spent 3 nights at the lovely Ramada Inn, Marina. Actually it was a very nice hotel. Nice bathroom with Jacuzzi style tub, a living room, King bed, and 2 TV's.
Back to the races. I had great seats for both Saturday and Sunday. Premier Pit Row #1. The best in the house. Those seats gave me access to the pits and pit row.
Saturday was qualifying. Sunday, the races. Both days were real good.
I had dinner Friday night with Gary and his wife Denise from Marin County. They were checking in the same time I was at the Ramada. We started talking bikes and they asked if I'd join them for dinner. We had a nice meal at this Italian joint across the street. We talked about motorcycles of course. What else is there in life?
Gary worked for Marin BMW Motorcycles.
It's not even about the races as much as the ride up and back, the other motorcycle enthusiasts you meet and talk to, and the general ambiance of the event.
See ya!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
My Vacation
I got back from a great 6 day motorcycle trip to the US Red Bull Moto GP race at Laguna Seca.
We left Valencia (Santa Clarita Valley, not Spain) for Pismo Beach on Wednesday. My friend Mark and I arrive at "The Cliffs Hotel" in Pismo. There were about 10 California Highway Patrol cars and motorcycles and about 5 Secret Service Suburbans. There were also 6 guys on Harleys and a convertible Mustang. We asked everyone in sight "who's here?". No one would say who it was. Mums the word. We found out days later that it was the King of Jordan with his family. Apparently they were visiting the beautiful California Coast.
Next day Mark and I head out on Highway 1 North to Cambria, Big Sur, and Carmel. Very lovely coastline.
We check in to our hotel in beautiful (just kidding) Salinas. The Best Western Salinas would be our home for the next 4 days. There were already motorcycles in the parking lot and there would be more to come.
Thursday was our first day at the track. The Moto GP bikes hit the track for first practice at 11am. It was awe inspiring to finally see Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, and the rest of the motorcycle gods in person for the first time. I was weeping tears of joy. Beethoven's 5th Symphony playing in my head.
Mark and I spent the day walking and walking all around looking at all the great motorcycle vendors and there wares. This was heaven on earth!
After the days activities Mark and I headed over to Monterey's Canary Row. There were thousands of motorcyles from all over the country lining the "Row". We walked and talked to a lot of motorcyclists. I hung out with Johnny from Spectrum Ducati and his freinds. His freind Terri owns TEK-9 Motorcycles, a custom shop for Sport Bikes. 28 years old and very succesful. He's also a nice guy.
Saturday we were back at the track. My favorite rider, Casey Stoner, set the track record and got pole position for Sunday's race.
Saturday night, back to the festivites at Cannery Row.
Sunday's the big day. I'm hoping my boy, Casey Stoner, aboard his red Ducati Desmodici GP7 can win the race. Well he did win the race. In fact the 21 year old kid from Australia dominated the weekend!
To celebrate Mark and I ate at "The Outback" in Salinas.
It was a great weekend. I had great seats in section A, turn 4. Spent a good deal of time in the "Flagroom" Hospitality tent eating fine food.
Met a father and son from England who were at Laguna with their families. Very nice and interesting people. They suggested I attend the "Isle of Man" time trials. Maybe I will one day.
We left Salinas Monday for our over night stay in Pismo Beach. We traveled through beautiful Carmel Valley. Stopped at a wonderful coffee shop that had some heavenly cakes and coffee.
We also stopped in at "Johnny's Bar and Grill" home of the famous motorcycle bar fight in Hollister, Ca. Hollister is an interesting town. When riding through Hollister you can't help but notice how the whole town looks like something from the late '40s or 50's. It looks like a movie set. Mark and I had a delicious burger at Johnny's and listened to the locals tell us the history of Hollister. They love their town.
I must say how absolutely beautiful a lot of California is. I'm stuck in overcrowded Southern Cal so it's easy to forget how nice it is in much less populated areas. I'm sorry to say that were there are a lot of people, the surrounding landscape sucks!
Anyway I had a great time! I'm riding back to Laguna Seca by my self in September for thr final AMA Superbike race.
Above are some photos of the winner, Cassey Stoner (great name, eh), me with my new friend, and my buddy Mark, meditating under a tree.
We left Valencia (Santa Clarita Valley, not Spain) for Pismo Beach on Wednesday. My friend Mark and I arrive at "The Cliffs Hotel" in Pismo. There were about 10 California Highway Patrol cars and motorcycles and about 5 Secret Service Suburbans. There were also 6 guys on Harleys and a convertible Mustang. We asked everyone in sight "who's here?". No one would say who it was. Mums the word. We found out days later that it was the King of Jordan with his family. Apparently they were visiting the beautiful California Coast.
Next day Mark and I head out on Highway 1 North to Cambria, Big Sur, and Carmel. Very lovely coastline.
We check in to our hotel in beautiful (just kidding) Salinas. The Best Western Salinas would be our home for the next 4 days. There were already motorcycles in the parking lot and there would be more to come.
Thursday was our first day at the track. The Moto GP bikes hit the track for first practice at 11am. It was awe inspiring to finally see Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, and the rest of the motorcycle gods in person for the first time. I was weeping tears of joy. Beethoven's 5th Symphony playing in my head.
Mark and I spent the day walking and walking all around looking at all the great motorcycle vendors and there wares. This was heaven on earth!
After the days activities Mark and I headed over to Monterey's Canary Row. There were thousands of motorcyles from all over the country lining the "Row". We walked and talked to a lot of motorcyclists. I hung out with Johnny from Spectrum Ducati and his freinds. His freind Terri owns TEK-9 Motorcycles, a custom shop for Sport Bikes. 28 years old and very succesful. He's also a nice guy.
Saturday we were back at the track. My favorite rider, Casey Stoner, set the track record and got pole position for Sunday's race.
Saturday night, back to the festivites at Cannery Row.
Sunday's the big day. I'm hoping my boy, Casey Stoner, aboard his red Ducati Desmodici GP7 can win the race. Well he did win the race. In fact the 21 year old kid from Australia dominated the weekend!
To celebrate Mark and I ate at "The Outback" in Salinas.
It was a great weekend. I had great seats in section A, turn 4. Spent a good deal of time in the "Flagroom" Hospitality tent eating fine food.
Met a father and son from England who were at Laguna with their families. Very nice and interesting people. They suggested I attend the "Isle of Man" time trials. Maybe I will one day.
We left Salinas Monday for our over night stay in Pismo Beach. We traveled through beautiful Carmel Valley. Stopped at a wonderful coffee shop that had some heavenly cakes and coffee.
We also stopped in at "Johnny's Bar and Grill" home of the famous motorcycle bar fight in Hollister, Ca. Hollister is an interesting town. When riding through Hollister you can't help but notice how the whole town looks like something from the late '40s or 50's. It looks like a movie set. Mark and I had a delicious burger at Johnny's and listened to the locals tell us the history of Hollister. They love their town.
I must say how absolutely beautiful a lot of California is. I'm stuck in overcrowded Southern Cal so it's easy to forget how nice it is in much less populated areas. I'm sorry to say that were there are a lot of people, the surrounding landscape sucks!
Anyway I had a great time! I'm riding back to Laguna Seca by my self in September for thr final AMA Superbike race.
Above are some photos of the winner, Cassey Stoner (great name, eh), me with my new friend, and my buddy Mark, meditating under a tree.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Weekend of 7-7-07
Had a great weekend.
Saturday the wife and I met my good buddy Mark and his girlfreind Sandy at The Spectrum in the OC. We ate at Red Robin's (not bad, great onion rings).
Hung around the Mall for a bit then we went off to Spectrum Ducati. They had my carbon fiber ignition cover for my beloved 1098. I picked that up, a new racing seat, a service manual, a new Ducati Corse cap, and a pair of Dainese short boots. The short boots are for my ride from the hotel in Salinas to the track (Laguna Seca). I'll be walking around A LOT in these so I hope they're comfy!
After Spectrum we went to Flemings Staek House in Newport. Great steaks, lobster, service, etc. We had a delicious meal. After dinner we sat outside and watched the beautiful people.
When I got home, I put on my new racing seat and carbon fiber ignition cover. The cover looks real good compared to the rubber piece it covers.
Sunday I went for a ride with my 1098 crew at ACH. Very fun, very fast!
That's it for now....
Saturday the wife and I met my good buddy Mark and his girlfreind Sandy at The Spectrum in the OC. We ate at Red Robin's (not bad, great onion rings).
Hung around the Mall for a bit then we went off to Spectrum Ducati. They had my carbon fiber ignition cover for my beloved 1098. I picked that up, a new racing seat, a service manual, a new Ducati Corse cap, and a pair of Dainese short boots. The short boots are for my ride from the hotel in Salinas to the track (Laguna Seca). I'll be walking around A LOT in these so I hope they're comfy!
After Spectrum we went to Flemings Staek House in Newport. Great steaks, lobster, service, etc. We had a delicious meal. After dinner we sat outside and watched the beautiful people.
When I got home, I put on my new racing seat and carbon fiber ignition cover. The cover looks real good compared to the rubber piece it covers.
Sunday I went for a ride with my 1098 crew at ACH. Very fun, very fast!
That's it for now....
NOPI Show 7-1-07
NOPI Show 7-1-07 Carson Calif.
Interesting show.
Lots of drifting, lots of bikini chicks, and lots of sun.
Very fun, but hot weather made it less enjoyable 'till the NOPI Chicks Bikini Show.
When NOPI comes to your town, go!
Interesting show.
Lots of drifting, lots of bikini chicks, and lots of sun.
Very fun, but hot weather made it less enjoyable 'till the NOPI Chicks Bikini Show.
When NOPI comes to your town, go!
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