We dropped in on the Moto2 and XR1200 test at IMS to talk to the riders about their role in the upcoming Indianapolis GP weekend. When moving around the garages, it’s easy to marvel at their lifestyle and full immersion into the sport. Their job is to find the fastest way around a track, regardless of what city it’s in, whatever the layout is and however old it may be. At Indy, it’s different.
Aside from being engrossed in the now dissipating Stoner-Lorenzo points battle in MotoGP, we’ve curiously tuned in to the wavering opinions on Motegi. The original date for the Japanese Gran Prix (April 24) was postponed due to the horrific tsunami that pounded the ports of Japan.
MotoGP champ Nicky Hayden had the honors of testing the newly paved turns at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Our cameras were rolling as the Ducati Superbike 1198 SP came in and out of the garage for adjustments made by Ducati Indianapolis’ mechanics and techs.
In the Spring of 2008, we attended Nicky Hayden’s inaugural lap of the new MotoGP circuit at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Here’s a behind-the-scenes vid of that special day.
Thanks to Mel Harder, Senior VP of Operations at IMS, we were able to show up with the Media to film this little memento and take a lap on our motorcycles. It was a goosebump-inducing trip down the straightaway and over the yard of bricks. The first lap on a motorcycle was reserved for the Kentucky Kid, which helped set the stage for the following years of MotoGP racing in Indy.
Walking through the pits and discovering Dave Roper‘s garage was fascinating. At first glance, Dave’s physical appearance is that of a front-porch whittler, yet he’s leathered-up like a motorcycle road racing hero. While we’re unsure of his mountain-man skills, his past and present involvement in motorcycle racing indeed proves his status as a legend.
