General Admission Available for Moto GP

(posted July 11)

Expect to become "a motorcycle enthusiast" or "a motorcycle race enthusiast" after the September 11-14 Red Bull Moto GP, says IMS Vice President Mel Harder.

Harder predicts a competitive race day, describing the racing as tight and with numerous lead swaps within one lap.

The Old Speedway City Neighborhood Association invited Harder and public information officer Eric Powell to update neighbors on what to expect for the inaugural event The two men are Speedway High School graduates.

Powell said "it's more than promoting the IMS, it is promoting our home town. It is very important to us."

"Four classes of motorcycles will be here," Powell said. The Motor GP class, which is the "Formula One of motorcycles", has the highest performance bikes in the world.

The IMS expects fans from the Midwest to be riding their motorcycles to the event. A lot of the automobile traffic will be replaced with motorcycles.

Harder said "it is going to be a lot of the same but it is whole new group of friends that we are going to meet." He noted the biggest difference will be the fans coming in on two wheels instead of four. He said the fans are lot more mobile so they have organized events throughout the city, including special motorcycle parking on Meridian Street, south of the Circle. A flat track race is scheduled at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Saturday night before the Moto GP.
The state has identified eight major roads with excursion routes that riders can explore.

State Representative Phil Hinkle asked about attendance. Harder responded the IMS would be selling tickets up to September 14. He would not give a ball park number. He said the race is unique in that it will be offering general admission seats in the Tower Terrace, Northwest Vista, C-Stand Paddock and possible South East Vista. He emphasized that South Vista is the best seating.

"The event runs rain or shine. At 3:45, it will be finished." Harder said.