The Official MotoGP @ Indy Thread September 12 - 14, 2008

[GRUBBY]

post up here as new information is discovered. how's that ??

[Grifo]

I talked a little bit with Bill Carr while down there this past Friday.
He told me that he had a meeting with Vicki Smith and Elliot Cho, and they talked a bit about of what is going to happen.
 Talks of the grand stands filled with Ducatisti is one goal along with the Hooligans staffing the hospitality tent and gear check station.
Also a group ride starting from IndyDucati was planned where everyone could pick up their passes for the race.
 I wanted to talk more but as you all that were present saw Bill was pretty busy.
I need to make it down there on a day just to talk to him and possibly with Elliot as well.
     

[FreeDuc]

Count me in.

I'm ready willing and able to do what ever needs doing.

Just point me in the right direction and I'm on it.

[motogpfan]

I'm in, my brother Adam, Suzy, and a 2 confirmed from CDC..

you surely didn't think a guy that goes by motogpfan wouldn't go would ya?

[GRUBBY]

I sent a message to M.usic C.ity M.onster C.lub in Nashville via the DML this morning inviting them to the event also. I sent Bryan a PM what I wrote, if you want to see it you could ask him to pass it along I suppose.

[racer_troy]

it's up to you...i like posting up here as it keeps the members up to speed as to what is going on so we don't cross efforts

[GRUBBY]

Here's what I posted to them

""Howdy fellerz. Greetings from Hoosier Hooligans. As Indiana's first and only desmo owners club, we are putting forth effort with Indianapolis Motor Speedway to possibly do some volunteer work at the track for some of the event. In conjunction with Ducs Unlimited and Desmo Ohio, we are trying to put something together like a gear check station and working in Ducati's hospitality tent. If any are interested in attending you can either contact myself at grubby@hoosierhooligans.org (southern indiana recruiter), grifo@hoosierhooligans.org (president) or BryanS@hoosierhooligans.org (vice president and webmaster).
Hope to see some of you there.  ""
 
 

[Grifo]

Vicki emailed me this today

 In response to some confusion (well actually a LOT of confusion) I'd like to underscore that the "Project Mugello @ Indy MotoGP" planning is in no way related to any other Indy MotoGP project, specifically; the VivaDucati tour package. VivaDucati is a private, "for profit" endeavor and has nothing to do with the D.O.C. project or Ducati North America in any way.  We love seeing passionate ownerspress their Ducati pride, but we must also keep the lines clear and make sure everyone is on the same page. That said, lets talk about Project Mugello:

   I'd like to give you an update on how things are going. (standard disclaimer: everything is still in the planning stages, things could change, etc. but since this is "our" project I want everybody to know what's potentially on the table so far)
 
HOTEL D.O.C Central - I have reserved a whole hotel for D.O.C. members only. The idea is to give preference to people who bring Ducati's to the weekend in order to get some parking lot synergy going, which I hope you will agree is a big part of what makes a great club weekend. This hotel has the basics - it's a good price by race weekend standards ($139 for a regular double and $75 for the Thursday and Monday), parking for trailers, a staff that is OK with us comcommandeeringhe parking lot in total and Italian and Mexican within walking distance. It also has a conference room for our use, is near to the Indy dealer which I think might be a secondary center of action and is just far enough from the raceway that we can have an organized "red snake" ride to the track like they do at WDW. It's a good idea to gather a list of who in your club wants to reserve rooms, it will be first come first serve, and must be approved through the club President in order to keep the rooms from going to non-Ducati owners. I hope to be able to open the reservations next week, I have submitted the contract and am just waiting to hear it has been received in the mail.  Reservations will be made on an individual basis through the hotel once I give them the list of names.
 
PARTY - There will probably be a party at the dealer one night, Thursday is what's being discussed but this could change. Once the planning is a little further along there will of course be more details but ideally, in the European tradition it would be nice to have the racers attend. We all know you can't just pick up the phone and request Casey Stoner but I'm going to try. I am, as some of you know, an excellent begger. More importantly, so is Andrea Venturi. I beg Andrea, Andrea begs Corse, etc. etc. :-)
 
D.O.C. GRANDSTAND - The grandstand selection is progressing and the track is considering building us something special - good viewing is the big issue of course but there are several locations that accomplish this. The plan is to try and keep us as close as possible to the Ducati North America "Ducati Island" area. If you have ever been to Indy speedway you know how big the place is, minimizing mamandatorylking is always a good plan. The idea is to stage a  "Mugello Grandstand", where we all use red and white cards to spell DUCATI. This has never been properly done outside of the Mugello race (and it's been attempted all over Europe) so it's a matter of National D.O.C. Pride that we pull this off.  I'll need your help getting your members to understand how big a feat this really is. Failure is NOT and option. :-)
 
Ducati Track Lap - In an effort to get as many people to bring bikes as possible we are asking for a Ducati only track lap. Keep your fingers crossed that they work with us on this, a lap of Indianoplis Motor Speedway with nothing but the sound of Ducati engine music would be somewhat epic in my opinion and the perfect highlight to the weekend.
 
For the record, this whole project is the result of a number of great ideas and a whole lot of iniinitiativen the part of about 10 D.O.C.s (and more getting involved all the time) so I really want to thank you all for embracing this. We will go a lot farther working as a group than any of us can go as a single club.  I'd like to have all Presidents interested in being involved meet in a chat room for a general discussion. I'll email everybody with a time we and place for this as soon as I have a few more things in place. In the meanwhile please feel free to contact me directly with suggestions or questions.
 
There's more, organized group rides/drives in from around the US, hopefully some space we can fund raise and member prospect from in the DNA area, volunteer staffing -  lots of details that are still in the planning and not ready to announce yet.
Bottom line: This is a weekend that's long on the real world touching, feeling and hearing of Ducati's, meeting other enthusiasts and sharing the Ducati Passion while keeping it as short on cost as I can make it. No VIP's, we're all DIP's, Ducati Important People and this weekend is for US! :-)
 
Regards,
Vicki Smith
North American D.O.C. Club Liason

[racer_troy]

nice letter and great ideas...what's next...wait?

[FreeDuc]

That is FUCKING AWESOME!!

[Grifo]

Dear D.O.C. Presidents,
 
As promised, here's the hotel information for Indy. Please submit your list of names directly to me asap. Title the email subject line INDY HOTEL NAME LIST FROM _______ (club name). The hotel is the Country Inn and Suites in Carmel, Ind. It's a non-smoking hotel, if this is a problem there are a couple of hotels near by we can overflow to. Prices are $139 for a standard double, $149 for a suite and $159 for a jaccuzi suite. 2 night minimum, either Sat/Sun or Friday/Sat  Rooms on Thursday and Monday are $75 for a standard double.
 
This hotel will be D.O.C. Central, please make members arriving with Ducati's a priority. Clubs more heavily involved in Project Mugello will be given priority since they will be helping staff the weekend. 
 
Deadline for names is Thursday October 25th. Your members should be able to contact the hotel on Friday with a credit card to secure the room. If they are not on the list they will not take the reservation. (I'm not trying to be tough or controlling here, just making certain this hotel is 100% full with D.O.C. members) I expect we will fill this hotel no problem and there will be some people turned away. I apologize in advance. The parking lot "scene", on the other hand, will welcome those that have to stay nearby so while the absolute convience might not be available to everybody, the Ducati comraderie will be.
 
The hotel has trailer parking in the back of the parking lot. There is Italian, Mexican and a couple of other food sources within walking distance. It's about a mile from Ducati Indianapolis and roughly 15 miles from the track. 
 
Regards,
Vicki Smith
Ducati D.O.C. Liaison

[GRUBBY]

I'll help if I can, but we got free room & board at my wifes cousins house. I don't plan on doing any more than sleeping there. and they want reservations almost a year in advance ? damn they must expect to pack the house.

[racer_troy]

i'm in...

[Grifo]

 OK I need your info by tomorrow so I can forward it to Vicki. Anyone else?
You guys want a standard double? Are you bringing the wifes?
I'll split a room with someone.

[FreeDuc]

I have to wait 'till tomorrow to let you know.

I'll be going alone, so splitting a room sounds good. IF I can do it.

Sorry for the suspense.

[Grifo]

 Guys after I submitt the list to Vicki it's up to you to follow up with the hotel and make the registration.
What are we doing now it's just trying to fill it with Ducatisti DOC members.   

[Grifo]

Everyone who requested a room on this thread has been added to the list, that I sent to Vicki.
Once she sends the list to the hotel it's up to you and call Country Inn and make the reservation.
 They will check the List Club by Club and check the name.
 Right now as I understand if your name is not on the list you can't get a room.
 names I submitted (real names not the screen one that I will be using here).
 Grifo (sharing with Screaminss)
Racer Troy (sharing with BryanS)
 sTD (with lovely Mrs. sTD)
Prem (with lovely Mrs. Prem)
 Crazyducdude (?)
Freeduc (?)
 Ducatidoug (?)
Stiegelman (Sharing with teamkickass)
 Rudge (sharing with Earl)
Tostertank (?)