The Official Blog of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The best seats in the house at IMS are well known when it comes to the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400. When it comes to the Red Bull Indianapolis GP and the IMS road course, it’s a different story. We took the time to scope out the best three places to watch tomorrow’s race. Below is the breakdown of what you can expect to see from my personal favorite locations: Turn 1 of the oval, Turn 9 and Turn 4 of the oval.

Turn 1 was full of fans for today’s qualifying session, and now we know why. From this area of the stands you can view the front straight, a variety of turns and the pits. Another perk of Turn 1 is the shade! Although we have perfect weather in the forecast for this weekend, shade is always a nice factor.

Outside of Turn 1

Turn 9 is a reserved area for members of the Corner 9 Club. Anyone who wants to upgrade their Red Bull Indianapolis GP experience can join. An air conditioned suite complete with lounge areas, food and drinks is provided. The Corner 9 stands are just a short walk from the suite and amidst all the action! The view allows you to see multiple bikes speeding around multiple corners at the same time. There’s never a dull moment in Turn 9.

Reserved seats in Turn 9 for Corner 9 Club members

Sitting in Turn 4 of the oval provides a great view as well. Multiple turns that cause the bikes to lean left and then right, the front straight and two big screens allow for a great experience. No shade exists in Turn 4, but the view is worth it! Just remember to bring your sunscreen!

Coming out of Turn 4

Where will you be sitting tomorrow for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP? We want to know!

We’ve been getting all of our fans hyped on Twitter and Facebook for the Ben Spies tweet up for the past 2 weeks! Today was finally the day. The first 5 fans in line outside of the Oakley retail garage received a free pair of Oakley Batwolf sunglasses and Ben signed autographs for about 20 minutes for a line of fans that stretched from one row of garages to the other!

A big crowd for Ben Spies and Oakley

Fans were armed with sharpies, posters, framed pictures and helmets. We knew this would be the appropriate place to find our Fan of the Day, and who better than the first person in line? Jennifer had been waiting in line since noon (the tweet up was at 5pm). She didn’t even leave to eat lunch, she had family and friends deliver food to her.

Jennifer waiting for Ben Spies with her Oakley Batwolf sunglasses

Jennifer has followed Spies through pretty much his entire career. She has watched him race for about 10 years she said, and has even met his mother! She has attended the Red Bull Indianapolis GP every year at Indy and her favorite racing memory was the first time MotoGP came to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Ben finally arrived and the fans cheered for him as he took his seat outside of the Oakley garage. Jennifer was first to get an autograph. The line of fans took their turns getting autographs, shaking hands and wishing Ben good luck this weekend.

Jennifer got to walk away with a free pair of Oakley sunglasses, an autograph from her favorite driver and a great memory! What more could a fan ask for?

The Vendor Marketplace is one of my favorite spots this weekend. It’s a chance to stroll around and check out some fashion, new motorcycle products, score some sunglasses or accessories and learn more about the motorcycle culture. Plus it’s located in Gasoline Alley. Not bad.

Early in the day at Vendor Marketplace

This year I’ve noticed a greater digital influence. As someone that works in the digital arena, this had me intrigued.

[More]

This year’s Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take the time to recognize women motorcycle riders. Many events have been organized throughout the race weekend that are just for women. Some selected lady riders have been kind enough to share their riding stories with us. They come from different riding groups and organizations from all over the country, but they all share the passion of speeding through the streets on two wheels. This week’s story comes from Lynda!

Name? Lynda

AKA? Mrs. Dorfmeyer

What riding group are you associated with? I belong to AMA, MSTA, HOG and Ladies of Harley.  I am mostly an independent rider, but support the sport and the industry.

How long have you been riding? On the back…a loooong time. I completed the Abate course here in Indy on 7/27/2003:  so on the front it has been 8 years.

How did you get involved with your organization? My husband Rick is a charter member of the AMA, he also got me involved with the MSTA.  He also introduced me to the world of motorcycle racing…Who knew?  I was always a big race fan…but somehow I missed the motorcycle part????

What are some of your favorite biking events you have traveled to? I have so many….All 3 MotoGP’s at the Brickyard, I probably qualify as an evangelist for that event.  MotoGP in Laguna Seca.  Continental Tire 4 day excursion to the conti-drome and the back roads of Germany.  Bonneville Salt Flats to see my sweetheart set a Land Speed Record on the Rayce Teams (Bloomington Powersports)Project 212  Honda cbr600, that they built in Tim Halsmer garage.  The Tucker Rocky BFD in Ft. Worth, via Colorado and Arizona, the 4000 mile odyssey on the sportster with my sweetheart Rick,  Craig and Jesusa Voris.  Cheraholla skyway in the rain, Arizona 191 (formerly Rte 666) passed a sign that read 20 mph curves, next 60 miles).  Oh yeah… we rode to Washington DC for the 1^st 9/12 Rally….WOW.

Lynda

What was the first bike you owned? Honda Rebel-Circa 1988

What is your dream bike? Whatever I am riding.

What drives you to be a biker? / What is the greatest reward you get from biking? I think I come by it honestly, my grandmother flew fighter planes (the P51) in the WASP (Women’s Air Service Patrol) in WWII.  Her wings are in the Smithsonian in DC.  My wings are on my Harley Davidson and the patches/pins on my vest.

My father was asking me the same question one day while driving down the interstate.  We passed a van with a golden retriever with his head out the window, ears flapping, tongue hangin out…  As we passed that van, I said to my father, ” Do you see that dog?  He replied, Yes…I said “I GET THAT”.  He has commented that he cannot understand how his college educated daughter aspires to be a “biker chick”.  Riding is something I do COMPLETELY for me.  I do not care about what anyone else thinks…that is mine.  The rewards? I have met some unbelievable people, that is THE unexpected gift! Peace, a sense of adventure, the wildness of my youth…Harley says it well…Screw it lets Ride. !!!!

Any great memories of events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or memories of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP? My memories of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway go way back.  I come by being an IMS fan honestly also.  My father’s 1^st job was at the Motor Speedway:   he sold newspapers and sno cones when he was 12 or 13 (which we figured was around 1950 or so). He also worked the scoreboard, near the short chute, which consisted of 3 telephone poles  placed in a triangle, with boards joining them.  He had score cards and earphones and was responsible for keeping the crowds informed on the first 5 drivers. I have been coming to the motor speedway for the 500 since I was about 12 or 13 also.  The Brickyard 400, Formula 1 and NOW the Redbull Indianapolis Moto GP! Too many exciting memories to write down!

I had an opportunity to be on the inside while this event was being put together, due to Rick’s friendship with Mel and his employer being Tucker Rocky, one of the  sponsors of the MotoGP.  I can honestly say that I will NEVER forget the first time I saw those guys test riding on the track…I COULD FEEL IT, and HEAR it. There is nothing like watching those bikes live and in person. Then coupled with it being held at IMS the shrine of racing…well it doesn’t get much better.

I think my next fondest memory is being able to see the expression on the people’s faces when I would ask, that first year, “Is this the first time you have ever been to the Brickyard/IMS”? People would light up, grin from ear to ear, and proceed to tell me how long they have wanted to come here, that there is no place like it in the world, and then you put bikes on the track…….well…you get it I am sure….a line from the movie The World’s Fastest Indian comes to mind… “Paying homage to the Gods of Speed”.

****

Want to learn more about the Red Bull Indianapolis GP? Click here.

Interested in tickets? Click here.

This year’s Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take the time to recognize women motorcycle riders. Many events have been organized throughout the race weekend that are just for women. Some selected lady riders have been kind enough to share their riding stories with us. They come from different riding groups and organizations from all over the country, but they all share the passion of speeding through the streets on two wheels. This week’s story comes from Tamara.

Name? Tamara

Bike’s name? My bike’s name is Cherry.

What riding group are you associated with? 317 Ryders MC

How long have you been riding? Since 2010

How did you get involved with your organization? My husband, Jimmie “Tic Tac” McMillian, initially joined in 2008. I challenged myself to take the riders course, passed the written test and obtained my motorcycle endorsement.

Tamara

What are some of your favorite biking events you have traveled to? Tail of the Dragon (in Tennessee) and the Cherohala Skyway, in North Carolina, were the most memorable riding trips. They both challenged my endurance, bike handling and riding in colder temperatures.

What was the first bike you owned? Cherry, the bike I currently own- 1998 Honda Shadow Aero – 1100

What is your dream bike? A chromed out Harley Davidson Road King in a girlie-color like orange, tan, or cream.

What drives you to be a biker? / What is the greatest reward you get from biking? As a professional woman, it has been empowering to own and ride my own bike. It takes a lot of courage and skill to ride your own motorcycle. I feel very strong and independent whether I ride 15 minutes or 5 hours. The greatest reward I get is when other women and girls compliment me or give me the thumbs up when I ride. I want to be a symbol of a women mastering a challenging hobby in a feminine way.

Any great memories of events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or memories of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP? Moto GP- I have attended all of the MotoGP races in Indianapolis. I love the vendor/bike area the most because I can see the latest bikes, technology and accessories up close. I even took pictures of my “dream bike”.

I enjoyed the Midwest Breakout Ride in April of 2011 that was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was a joy to see all of the bikers and their families from several states appreciate the track and IMS facilities.

Anything else you would like to add? One of the best riding experiences I have is when I ride with my husband. We can ride for hours and talk to each other through our scala riders attached to our helmets as we explore the wonderful roads in our country.

****

Want to learn more about the Red Bull Indianapolis GP? Click here.

Interested in tickets? Click here.

This year’s Red Bull Indianapolis GP will take the time to recognize women motorcycle riders. Many events have been organized throughout the race weekend that are just for women. Some selected lady riders have been kind enough to share their riding stories with us. They come from different riding groups and organizations from all over the country, but they all share the passion of speeding through the streets on two wheels. This week’s story comes from LaTanya.

Name? LaTanya

AKA? Ms Tan

What riding group are you associated with? 317 Ryders MC

How long have you been riding? New rider, 1 year

How did you get involved with your organization? I was invited to 317 Ryder events, parties, rides, etc. and eventually became a member

LaTanya

What are some of your favorite biking events you have traveled to? PRO convention in Tampa Fl., Spring Breakout ride in Mobile AL

What was the first bike you owned? Kawasaki 636

What is your dream bike? Harley Davidson – Soft Tail

What drives you to be a biker? / What is the greatest reward you get from biking? The excitement and the speed of riding, the greatest reward you get from biking is the freedom you experience on the open road.

Any great memories of events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or memories of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP? Riding around the track with my motorcycle club

Anything else you would like to share? Taking ABATE has been a great tool in survival techniques.

****

Want to learn more about the Red Bull Indianapolis GP? Click here.

Interested in tickets? Click here.

As you may know, the Red Bull Indianapolis GP track got a makeover earlier this summer. The circuit has been repaved, and who better to break it in than Nicky Hayden? He took the inaugural lap on the IMS circuit in 2008, so it only made sense that we ask Nicky back to be the first on the new surface.

On the newly paved IMS circuit

The public filed in to watch Hayden’s test from the Turn 2 viewing mounds as he took the track around 9:30. Nicky tested until around 12:30. The new surface seemed to treat him well. I thought I would get used to the site of his bike being almost completely horizontal as he took the turns, but I didn’t. Each time he rounded a turn was unreal!

After the test Nicky said the track was better than expected! He said “it’s pretty much perfect”, and “IMS went above and beyond” the drivers’ expectations. He also thinks it will make things safer during the race. If Nicky Hayden approves, I guess that makes the new pavement a success!

The test definitely left us eagerly awaiting the Red Bull Indianapolis GP that happens on August 28. I know I’m looking forward to seeing more motorcycle action on the IMS circuit, aren’t you?

Check out the video footage from today’s run below.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian Donald Davidson has been the expert on the history of the Racing Capital of the World since he arrived in Central Indiana in the mid-1960s. Now 2010 Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductee Davidson is answering your questions periodically in this blog!

Q: With the Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP race approaching, I find myself wondering if any Indiana-built (or even Indianapolis-built) motorcycles ever raced or were tested at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

—Scott Smith, Brownsburg, Ind.

A: It turns out that there were actually several motorcycle companies in Indiana in the early days, but as with the majority of the automobile firms, they were short-lived, typically lasting only a year or two. Certainly none ever was tested at the track in the early days, the only makes participating in the seven events held during the one and only day of actual competition—Aug, 14, 1909—being Indian, Harley-Davidson, NSU, Excelsior, Reading Standard, Peugeot, Merkel, Minneapolis and Thor.

[More]

Kevin Paige of Kevin Paige Art walks fans through the creation of an oil painting of MotoGP star Valentino Rossi. New to Kevin Paige Art? Check out all of his posts here.

Fans of all things two-wheeled didn’t have to wait until this year’s August 28th Red Bull Indianapolis GP to catch riders in action at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway thanks to the Midwest Breakout Ride this past weekend. Thousands of bikers converged upon the Racing Capital of the World from destinations across the Midwest.

A sea of bikes field covered the IMS

The IMS Street Team was on-hand with plenty of Red Bull to keep the crowd going

The family-friendly community event included live music, food, tire tests, and trick riding!

Stunt riders do tricks

The crowd was really into the stunt riders

One-handed wheelies!

Check out more photos from the event on the IMS Flickr Page — In the meantime, rather than tell everyone about the event, we thought we’d pull together a quick take from the fans perspective. Hear what they had to say below!