Valencia MotoGP 2009 - Summary trip report

MotoGP Valencia 2009, My summary trip report
Although it is not a ride trip report, it is definitely a trip report.
Had the time of my life.

So here's it goes.
Me and my friend Dave planned this trip for months but what happened in Valencia was beyond anything we ever expected.

First, I was traveling on Aeroplan miles, so I flew Lufthansa first class while Dave was in coach. First class on Lufthansa is the best, they provide you with 5 star dining experience and even a set of jammies to wear during the trip.

We get to Valencia on the 4th via Frankfurt/Barcelona. At the airport in Valencia, we take the subway right to our hotel door. Sweet. A 3 day unlimited public transit cost us 10 euros.

On the 5th, we head to the track, again using public transit. 6th stop on the subway and out about 300 meters to the commuter train and 4 stops we are at the track.

Paddock access is limited to VIP and teams only during the 3 day event and the only time to visit the paddock is on the Riders for Health fundraiser on Thursday which we did. As we walked thru the paddock and pit lane, I spotted a new rider with the Matteoni racing group, Bastien Chesaux, a young kid from Switzerland whose mom's is my sister's friend. A little talk with Corrine and we end up with Premium paddock passes for the weekend. These passes are team passes which means we spent our weekend in the team garage, eat at the team's trailer, walked up and down pit lane at will, watched the MotoGP/125 and 250 FP1, FP2, QP and Warm up from the pit lane with the occasional trip to the pit wall. You cannot buy these passes, they are for team members only.
Matteoni Racing has 3 riders, 125cc Lucas Sembera, 250cc Bastien Chesaux and 250cc Jules Cluzel

All in all the weekend was a blast, we wore team colors all weekend.
Now could it get any better??? Betcha. I have a friend at Dorna and we got a private invite to the FIM MotoGp awards gala on Sunday evening.
The event was attended by about 250 people and we were there, 7 rows from the stage.

Just got back from my trip yesterday. Now how can I better this one???

Between me and Dave, we have in excess of 1200 pictures, here's a sample below and eventually I will get a photobucket account and post them there for all to view.

here's a run down of the pics:

Dave trying out my seat
Me at the track entrance
2 pics from the pit wall,
Jules Cluzel riding back to his garage
The updated motogp trophy with the 2009 update
Rossi as viewed from our garage
The team working on the Lucas's 125cc
The Gala entrance
Jules eating at the team tent and Dave in the background stretching his neck for the pic
Cluzel's umbrella girl, watching the 125cc race getting ready to head out to the starting grid
Me at the Aquarium
250cc victory lane, up close
(Actually if you have a motogp.com subscription, go watch the 250 race and at 59:53 when DeRosa goes and sees his team, you can see me with a grin. My 4 seconds of fame)
James Toseland's bike (pic taken just after the 250cc race on my way back to the Matteoni Garage)
Me and Dave with Cluzel's bike and one of the mechanics on Sunday afternoon while they were tearing down the garage

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MdubSTYLIE @ Nov 13 2009, 02:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>WOW shovel, way to top our indy weekend.


WOW!!! to top it off, I just watched After The Flag and I am the winner of the ATF Sepang Trivia. 2 paddock passes to the race of my choice.

After The Flag Valencia 2009 Check out at 11:52
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES6JdpLTaoc

I should go and buy some lottery tickets and head to the nearest cougar bar.

Definitely not going to pick Laguna as you can buy it for cheap.
As for the other GP's, it all depends if Bastien Chesaux is riding, then I won't need them.
I might just trade them for accomodation near Silverstone

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MdubSTYLIE @ Nov 13 2009, 09:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Dude, life is good! I am speechless



Has a new fan in me, I will be watching. Anyone cool enough to give that much hospitality to a family friend is cool in my book. Amazing.


It's actually his mom that is the connection

Look who's in the parc ferme with DeRosa's crew with a big grin on his face