[SuzyVStrom]

Who's going?

I see that hand, windinhair.

I'm riding down from the Gold Coast. This will be my 5th pilgrimmage. Should be rolling over the San Remo bridge late Wed. Staying at the hostel Wed, maybe Thu, then camping at Highside.

Hope to catch up with some StromTroopers and ADVRiders there.

If you haven't been before, I have a few notes and general info on my website HERE.

 

[K1W1]

Hint: It will rain, it will be freezing cold and the public areas will be like pig pens underfoot by lunch time Friday. Go prepared.

 

[windinhair]

Hint: It will rain, it will be freezing cold and the public areas will be like pig pens underfoot by lunch time Friday. Go prepared.

Yes, will be taking the work boots,seriously old jeans and appropriate warms and wets,fact is this a first for me so am seriously looking forward to 300k,that speed I find bewildering.

 

[dl1busa0]

i pitted for a privateir in 1992 sbk and the endurance round was on the same weekend and i met foggy ,rymer also troy corser and his dad had a lot of laughs,oh and i saw the ducati hit the wall only metres from me and yes its cold wet and @#$% miserable but this year at the island classic it was windy but perfect weather for the first time. ive been 6 times for sbk,moto gp and 500s still all good weekends that were a blast.....down side 1 year in a cage but had to get the bike there somehow.

 

[SuzyVStrom]

Last year was just a bog and I think it's disgraceful for an international event.

They should at least put in some decent pathways around the pavilion area (on the main straight).

Taking gumboots this year, just in case.

 

[Jafu]

I'll be there camping again for the three days, tho last year was one of the worst I have been to.

 

[SuzyVStrom]

I'll be there camping again for the three days, tho last year was one of the worst I have been to.

I'll 2nd that. Last year was my fourth trip and the windiest I think (though it has blown hard every year). I started off with an extra fly over the tent, on 5' poles, for a space to cook under, but with the wind coming up I had to drop the poles lower, first one end, then the other, then finally to ground level, extra ropes on all corners. It blew ferociously. Tents all around me were being shredded.

Fortunately, I was camped between a bus and a caravan and using my m'bike as a wind block so I got some shelter from the worst gusts.

For the first two nights, I was getting up every few hours to check all the ropes, convinced the tent was going to fly away, it was flapping madly, bending almost flat at times, the wind howling through the trees. By the 3rd night I was used to the noise, knew my tent was going to hold, and slept through no worries.

 

[Justdrew]

Hint: It will rain, it will be freezing cold and the public areas will be like pig pens underfoot by lunch time Friday. Go prepared.

Well said Kiwi. I went in 2009 and by the time we arrived the campground was full, the mud was thick and the weather was crap. :furious: We went back to Fish Creek for some dry accommodation on the Friday night and into Mentone on Saturday night. Stayed Sunday night in the camping ground once some space became available and then headed home on the Monday morning after the traffic cleared a bit.
Went back for the World Superbike round in 2010, better weather, better atmosphere, accommodation at "Amazing Things" (I think that's the name of it) caravan park was excellent, very friendly, good kitchen facilities and clean showers. The owners put on a free pizza night on the Sunday for all the bike riders, they were excellent hosts.:hurray:
Will go to the Superbikes again but not the Moto GP until its date is changed to something more reasonable.

 

[SuzyVStrom]

I start riding down to the Island on Saturday. Will be camping at Highside down there.

Who else is going? windinhair & jafa ...

Mob 0410 542 521. Give us a bell if you want to meet up.

My vstrom is red, a bit battered, lots of stickers on it.

Cheers,

 

[K1W1]

I have a ticket available for either Friday or Saturday but I'm still undecided. If I go I'd rather get a general admittance ticket than be in the VIP area above the pits. The view is crap there and you end up spending the day talking to people who know nothing about motorcycles and the food and alcohol selection gets worse each year.

 

[p38arover]

Will go to the Superbikes again but not the Moto GP until its date is changed to something more reasonable.

Yep. Too far to go for such crappy weather. I can see more of it in comfort at home.

Having said that, I haven't been to a MotoGP since the last one at Eastern Creek.

 

[kenny]

I plan to get down there at this stage not sure whether it is sat & Sunday or sunday only as travelling down with some mates and awaiting them to get permissions from their controllers of domestic affairs to make final decision.:headbang:

 

[SuzyVStrom]

Having a good time so far. been pretty good weather for a change though the forecast is not good. Will be cheering Stoner on tomorrow. probably wont be logging back into here till I get home in a couple days. will post some photos then.

 

[Mustang]

Looking forward to it Steve

I bet you had a ball. I was watching the crowd looking for a 6'5" Queenslander, where were you...Excellent work by young Casey. Show us the pics....

Trevor

 

[p38arover]

I completely forgot about the race and went away for the weekend.

 

[Donunder]

It was fantastic to see Casey win the big race and take the title on his birthday at his home GP but as always the real interest, racing wise, was in the Moto 2.

After being relegated to a last place start on the grid following his brain explosion on the Friday, Marc Marquez came through the huge field to finish third. Considering that these races are always super-competitive, Marquez' effort has to be the highlight of the season. Forget the fact that he was lucky not to be disqualified following his dangerous riding at the conclusion of Friday's practice, this was one of the all time great rides.

What now for next year? Does he stay in Moto2 and stitch them all up again? Or does he move up in the Repsol team to Moto GP? Does Pedrosa get the flick or do they form a three bike team with Casey? How would Casey like having two super-hot young Spaniards chasing him?

With Casey Jnr on the way it's probably time for him to think about a less demanding form of motor sport (as should Will Power!!!) and retire to the old man's category -- V8 super cars. Lots slower, lots safer, less travelling. Biff and barge and you don't fall over! Yes, much more conducive to a relaxed family life.

The only fly in the ointment could be Casey's opinion expressed at the weekend that he is becoming disenchanted with the way the "show" of Moto GP is taking over from the real racing. As V8 super cars exists on "show" Casey may have to modify his thinking or at least be more circumspect in his public utterances. He'll miss the buzz of real racing but it would be fun and a not so serious way of getting his kicks.

 

[Jafu]

I had a great weekend if slightly damp and windy. Trackside is always a hoot,but conditions were better than last year.
The only down for the weekend was my damn phone decided to expire, sorry to those I was going to contact to meet up with.

 

[v-chops]

It was fantastic to see Casey win the big race and take the title on his birthday at his home GP but as always the real interest, racing wise, was in the Moto 2.

After being relegated to a last place start on the grid following his brain explosion on the Friday, Marc Marquez came through the huge field to finish third. Considering that these races are always super-competitive, Marquez' effort has to be the highlight of the season. Forget the fact that he was lucky not to be disqualified following his dangerous riding at the conclusion of Friday's practice, this was one of the all time great rides.

What now for next year? Does he stay in Moto2 and stitch them all up again? Or does he move up in the Repsol team to Moto GP? Does Pedrosa get the flick or do they form a three bike team with Casey? How would Casey like having two super-hot young Spaniards chasing him?

With Casey Jnr on the way it's probably time for him to think about a less demanding form of motor sport (as should Will Power!!!) and retire to the old man's category -- V8 super cars. Lots slower, lots safer, less travelling. Biff and barge and you don't fall over! Yes, much more conducive to a relaxed family life.

The only fly in the ointment could be Casey's opinion expressed at the weekend that he is becoming disenchanted with the way the "show" of Moto GP is taking over from the real racing. As V8 super cars exists on "show" Casey may have to modify his thinking or at least be more circumspect in his public utterances. He'll miss the buzz of real racing but it would be fun and a not so serious way of getting his kicks.

When Stoner leaves Repsol Rossi might want his old job back so he can try to win another title :green_lol:
Personally I'd like to see Casey stay and beat Rossi's total of titles :yesnod:

 

[windinhair]

Boy I hope there is no tall poppy syndrome going on here,Casey was sensational 7 second lead after 5 laps no Jorge of course,he won the WC on a Duke that the best racer to jump on a bike can't ride,Bautista's Suzi was very good and with some serious R&D will be competitive but at the moment it is Honda and daylight second.Marquez is very young,his stats defy that and talk is his when he talks the techs and crew are all ears.3 races for the price is sending me back to the tele,SBK much better value.:yesnod:

 

[SuzyVStrom]

Back home. Sorry i missed catching up with jafu & windinhair etc but there's actually not a lot of spare time once you're there, is there.

Trip report HERE and some pics HERE.

Found a bit of gravel on the Island