The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is going to see some great professional motorcycle action this weekend, when MotoGP mounts their grand finale in its last United States destination. Speedway is a suburb of Indianapolis, capitol of Indiana.
The MotoGP is one of three classes of premier class motorcycle racing, the other two are the 125cc and the 250 cc (soon to be replaced by the Moto2 and the 600cc classes). Grand Prix motorcycle racing, in contrast to other
motorcycle competitions like the Superbike World Championship, restricts the motorcycles that race to machines built solely for that purpose, bikes that are not for sale on the public marketplace and cannot legitimately be used on public thoroughfares.
The first MotoGP event convened in 2008, also at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on a freshly-prepared track. This Second Annual Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP will undoubtedly be even better-attended. Last year, the 
famous Brickyard was swamped by rain, but the forecast for this year’s MotoGP weekend looks sunny.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway tickets cover a wide price range and a variety of spectator packages, including credentials for one, two or all three days’ activities, paddock passes, hospitality passes with catering, camping and parking passes.
Nuts and Bolts
A shuttle service for $20 and parking pass for $5 will be offered during this event, providing easy transportation from the Indianapolis downtown sector to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The seventeen MotoGP riders include superstars Colin Edwards, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa.
Friday, August 28
Qualifying Day
- 9:30 am – 12:30 pm: Interact with motorcycle racing legends in a question and answer session
Sixth Street Stage, Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Riders for Health Charity Auction
Sixth Street Stage, Indianapolis Motor Speedway - 9:45 am
Pit Walkabout
See the machines close-up - 12:40 on
Qualifying and Practice riding on the track - After dark
XDL Sportbike Freestyle, Round 5
Indiana War Memorial - Meridian Street party
Indianapolis bars and Indianapolis restaurants in the downtown cordoned-off areas will be serving for this giant street party, and there will be dancing in the streets to live Indianapolis music, with local Indianapolis bands and out-of-town guest artists.
Motorcycles on MeridianA related concurrent event, called Motorcycles on Meridian Street, will be a hot Indianapolis attraction too, this weekend. The main streets in busy downtown Indianapolis are closed to all traffic except motorcycles. Some call it “Mardi Gras on wheels.” In the renowned Indianapolis Wholesale District, one of six Indianapolis cultural districts, street signs will bear the names of all the American World Champions in the MotoGP. When the pack of the world’s most legendary motorcycle riders arrive in downtown Indy, they will be greeted by this silent yet eloquent honor. |
Saturday, August 29
- Morning
Practice sessions - Afternoon
Qualifing rides - Evening
The Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Grand National
Dirt-track racing in the Indiana State Fairgrounds - 4:30 pm concert with rock band “Crash,” featuring James Toseland, MotoGP star
Sixth Street Stage, Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Meridian Street party
One big party with dancing on the streets and all-you-can-drink Red Bull beer.
Sunday, August 30
Race Day
- 7 am
Stunt show - Morning
Warm-ups - Noon
Racing begins - 3 pm
MotoGP race begins
Also check out the Ducati Island booth, between Turns one and two on the infield for giveaways, models, a gear giveaways contest and magazine stuff, and look for the Ducati Museum, exhibiting famous racing and street bikes.
For Indianapoils sports fans, especially wheels enthusiasts, it doesn’t all just stop in May with the Indianapolis 500 mile race.
Red Bull Indianapolis MotoGP
August 28-30, 2009
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 W 16th St
Indianapolis, IN 46222
800.822.4639
More details at the event website
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