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...Austin, Texas MotoGP and the Hand Built Show [mostly photographs]

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Daniel Kalal:


 
The Austin, Texas MotoGP races cover three days--Friday and Saturday are for  practice sessions and qualifying, and Sunday is when the final races are held  for each of the three classes.
 
The weather progressed from “pretty awful” on Friday to “pretty good” by  Sunday.  There was some fear that the final races would be done in the  rain, but the expected rain danced around the Austin area, but avoided the  track.
 
Texas
 
It's a beautiful facility.  The first year I was here (and the first  time for the event) the grassy hills were filled with general-admission ticket  holders.  This time, those same hills were mostly empty and the viewing  stands were more filled--and not all the stands that were there for that first  event were here for this one.
 
Considering the wet weather--and the worse forecast--there were quite a  few people here.  And, compared to the turnout for a typical AMA road  race event, this International event has an enormous turnout.
 

 
A note:  my camera is the perfect choice for standing in the middle  of Main Street and snapping a picture.  But, it's entirely the wrong  choice for taking action shots of the track while sitting in the stands.
 
As part of the numerous Austin events scheduled along with the races was  the Hand Built Motorcycle show.  I dropped by after Friday's practice  sessions.
 
 
 
The Wall of Death?  I wouldn't have thought this would have been  around since perhaps before the war.  But, it fits perfectly with the  theme of the show.
 
 
 

 
I've somehow missed an entire sub-culture of motorcycling.
 
The larger culture of the outlaw biker with its associated image has been  around for a long time--the standards (what to wear, what to ride, how to  behave) are well known.  If you can at least give off the vibe of Lee  Marvin in “The Wild Ones”, you'll be on the right track.  If you're not  on a Harley-Davidson, at least ride something that might be confused for a  Harley-Davidson.
 
But, this event isn't about that, at all.  It's vintage taken to a  modern level.  If somehow the 1930s could have progressed to 2015  without any disruptions, then you'd have it.  It's black and it's  leather, but without all the adornment of those other guys.  If I were  to pick the icon for the style of the event, it would be Bill Lomas.
 
 
 
What is interesting is that these two photographs were taken within two  years of each other.  I wonder if the two types of motorcycle  enthusiasts of 1955 had any more to do with each other than they do today?
 
One notable difference: The riders who follow the culture of the outlaw  bikers (the Lee Marvin look-a-likes) would not be expected to be at a MotoGP  racing event (and they were not), but this crew (the Bill Lomas  look-a-likes) are here.  I hesitate to use the word “Hipsters”, but  it's been done already...
 
Moto Guzzi was one of the show sponsors.  It's a good fit for the  direction Guzzi seems to be heading (or the crowd they'd like to attract).
 

 
 
 
There's but a single chopper in the photographs (below), and it did seem  out of place.  For the most part, a vintage bike should look its age  (rust is fine), and a modern custom should look as if it shares a heritage  going back to the 1930s even if some details are very modern (and don't try  to hide those details).
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
Back to the races...
 
As you'd expect, the crowds were much larger on Saturday, and even  larger, yet, on Sunday.
 

 
 
 
Manufacturer's row.  Most everybody was here (Kawasaki and Triumph  notable for not being here).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vendor's row.  I didn't see such great deals as I remember from my  first time here, but perhaps I didn't look hard enough.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Food.  You'll find plenty of food, but don't look for healthy eating  and don't expect not to spend much.  A cup of coffee will cost you five  dollars...
 
 
 
Ducati had the largest display of any manufacturer and they had the central  locations (you had to walk to get to the primary manufacturer's row).
 
 
 
Three classes (Moto2, Moto3, MotoGP) and all the races were good and  (best I could tell) they were all safe.
 

 
The skill level is jaw-dropping.  At some level, I think I  could drive a Nascar entry around an oval track at a decent speed; but,  this?  No way; and the top level of riders are at a level beyond even  the best of the rest.
 

 

 

LaGrasta:
thanks so much for this first hand account. One of these years, I'll make it there. I've done Laguna Seca three times.

balvenie:
            Liked those Customs. Gonna google The Flying Merkel.

pebra:
Thanks for taking us along!
I was surprised to see that both Guzzi and Aprilia were represented as manufacturers!

LowRyter:
duplicate


--- Quote from: LowRyter on April 13, 2015, 12:58:04 PM ---I thought I'd update with a few photos.

First, I'd like to thank Mike and Trish for their hospitality (spelled D-U-C-A-T-I)







now for some track photos.

COTA is the top road course facility in the Western Hemisphere



I got a few photos of the riders

autograph buddies (see above) (Dovi finished 2nd and the Maniac 5th)








Jorge (finished 4th)



The Doctor got 3rd





Marquez wins the whole deal including and incredible poll run





--- End quote ---

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