Toby Moody dodges security to bring us the latest insider gossip from the paddock at the Red Bull US MotoGP at Laguna Seca.
All the Haydens on track
It was a bumper weekend for the Hayden clan who all got to lap the legendary Laguna. Nicky Hayden, of course, was aboard his Ducati MotoGP machine, Tommy and Roger courtesy of the AMA support races, but even his sisters Kathleen and Jan got a lap each courtesy of Randy Mamola and the two-seater Ducati on Sunday.
King Kenny rides Yamaha icons
Kenny Roberts got to sample Yamaha’s latest M1 MotoGP machine during the weekend, riding one on Thursday and again on Saturday with the initials KR in place of a race number. Then on Sunday he spanned three decades as he rode his 1981 two-stroke 500cc Yamaha. He even managed to wheelie down the corkscrew…
Kenny rides the M1
Supersize me
Do you want fries with that? Or a dessert perhaps? The healthy option being served in one of the hotels in the region was a beer floater. For dessert. What better combination, apparently, than a pint of Guinness and ice cream!
Land of the free
At the start of the weekend, an official memo was circulated to all teams stating: “In Laguna Seca, we can anticipate that the local police and security will be much more aggressive than we are used to in Europe.” This was followed by: “We suggest you do not try and engage these people in discussions or arguments but simply report any problems…”
No need to call 911 from the paddock...
In case of emergency
But if you did need to report a problem, you didn’t have far to look for a state trooper at Laguna Seca. Unlike most circuits, Laguna is on public property, part of the area’s recreation zone, meaning police officers can come and go without the need of a pass. That may explain why there were 12 squad cars parked right outside the paddock on Sunday morning. Only Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, could have parked closer!
Championship Challenger
You’re a Texan MotoGP star, racing at home – so what do you drive to mark the occasion? If you’re Ben Spies, a Dodge Challenger RT Hemi, no less. Bigger is better!
Spies' Texas wheels – nice Dodge if you can get away with it
Laguna gives you wings
This being their title-sponsored United States Grand Prix, Red Bull were fuelling folks off the track. You couldn’t take many steps without tripping over a Red Bull fridge, which was always full, but not for want of people trying. At least 5,000 cans of the stuff were consumed during the weekend!
Want more?
- Laguna Seca in pictures
- Red Bull US Grand Prix race report
- Andrea Dovizioso at 1000 frames per second
- The official MotoGP website
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