2005 Red Bull Moto GP

Wow what a great weekend. The International Moto GP came back to Laguna Seca this past weekend. Sunday was sold out! That is amazing. It took over 2 hours to get into the track on Sunday. But it was well worth it.

Kentucky boy Nicky Hayden took his first ever GP win in for his Honda team in front of his home country crowd. On Nicky's team was Erv Kanemoto from San Jose who has been involved with Honda and GP racing for many years. Needless to say the place went nuts.

But there was more. San Francisco born Eric Bostrom won the AMA Superbike race on his Ducati beating multi time champ and dominate Suzuki rider Matt Mladin. Both Nicky and Matt led every lap of each race.

Among those at the race were Michael Jordan, who has an AMA team with East Bay boy and Acalanes High grad Steve Rapp as a rider. Steve has paid his dues riding for various teams including Cycle Gear, and used to park cars at the Lafayette Park Hotel (the big one right off Hy. 24). Rapp had a good weekend as well, finishing right behind the Team Honda riders in the Superbike race, and 6th in the Superstock race

Other locals who did well include Dublin's Chris Siglin 11th, and Grant Riggs riding for Jelly Belly and Fastline Cycles finishing 19th in the AMA Supersport race.

Scuderia sponsored David R N Bell from San Francisco finished 29th in the Superbike race.

The crowds were huge and very international. Lots of fans of Valentino Rossi the Moto GP Superstar were there. Town was rockin', Smashmouth did a free concert Saturday night. Hotels were booked a year ago, it was a complete sellout.

Lots of Hollywood types were seen including Brad Pitt. I am sure everyone will be back. Here's some photos.

What the bikes used to look like




What they look like now (John Hopkins Moto GP bike)




Michael Jordan team hauler



and team bikes



and me with rider Steve Rapp



and Mj himself!




what your tire racks look like when you are Matt Mladin



his bike




On a smaller budget Marin Cycle Works




Fans of Michael Jordan? Brad Pitt? no, Valentino Rossi!




A team showing off a Bonneville speed bike







The super groovy, 100 mpg Honda Metro scooter seen all over the pits




The super groovy, crazy looking Scootster powered by a 1200 Harley Sportster engine




There were lots of Harley's around, fans riding in on them and customs were on display all over the place. There used to be a big lack of respect between the sportbike guys and custom guys. Hopefully those days are over. It's all good. Here's some custom bikes I saw at Laguna Seca.












And last but not least Red Bull had a stunt rider doing some wicked riding Saturday afternoon







3 days of Moto GP and AMA racing and everything else. We were all some happy folks leaving Sunday afternoon.