~Moto GP~

I really enjoy watching motorcycle racing. Moto GP in particular, because I recognize the racers and their bikes. I know their names and details of their career. My husband owns a sport bike and he enjoys many things about motorcycles. I love riding on the back of his bike, leaning into the curves and watching the landscape as we going speeding past.

About 5 or 6 years ago my husband discovered Moto GP. He would watch the races in front of his laptop wearing his headset while I did housework and other things. I could hear my husband's excitement as he would make comments and cheer on the riders. Curiosity got the best of me and every once in awhile I would peek at the screen. I was fascinated by how the racers could lean so far into turns that it looked like their bikes were lying on the ground. Sometimes on the straights they go around 200 mph.

I asked if I could join the next time he watched a race. He was more than happy to oblige. It became another fun hobby that we share. After the race is downloaded, we find a time that that will fit both our schedules. We sit close and watch the action. We cheer and gasp saying things like, "Whoa! Did you see that?" The races usually last about an hour and it goes by pretty quickly.
Another thing I enjoy about Moto GP is that the races are held ALL over the world. So it is more of an international experience. We enjoy the accents of the British and the Australian commentators, who get so excited over every aspect of Moto Grand Prix. Before the race starts the reporters give us a little geography and history lesson about the country, city and track where the race is being held. Some cities included are: Philip Island, Jerez, Estoril, Catalunya, Sachsenring, Motegi and many others. Most are cities I've never heard of before.

In 2008 Moto GP came to Indianapolis, IN. It thrilled us that there would be a race within driving distance. The only other U.S. circuit was in California. We attended the entire race weekend. It was very exciting to see the racers in person, hear the roar of the engines and to be so close to the track. We were able to attend the practices, the qualifying, to hear interviews and see the bikes up close. We also attended the 125 race and the Moto 2 race.
Our seats were near 4 corners, so we witnesses some spectacular crashes.

That first year was most memorable. It had been raining all day. The race was delayed so that the standing water could be removed from the track. We found shelter while we waited under an overhang of a building. When the announcement was made that the race was about to begin we rushed to our seats wearing hats and rain gear and toting umbrellas. I remember the time during the race when the winds shifted. Now the rain was directly in our faces. The remnants of hurricane Ike had made an appearance at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The winds were wild and the rain continued, yet the racers kept going. {Unlike NASCAR motorcycles race in rain}. But this was more than a light shower. Debris blew onto the track and puddles of water re-formed. One of the display tents even blew over! Visibility was at a bare minimum. Our favorite rider, Nickey, was in the lead. Eventually he was passed by Italian, Valentino Rossi. Jorge Lorenzo was closing in when the red flag flew and the race was stopped with just eight laps to go. We looked for cover from the wind and rain and waited to see if the race would be continued. After several minutes, it was decided that conditions were too dangerous. This was the first time that my husband had ever heard of a race being stopped. Crazy! We had witnessed a part of history. The first Moto GP race in Indy and a hurricane to boot!

After that weekend we were hooked. We've gone every year since and hope to continue.
I hear that starting in 2012 Austin, TX will host a Moto GP race for the next 10 years. Hmmmmm