[Turbohead]

https://www.gpone.com/en/2023/09/18/...ith-visas.html

If this is true, expect this one to be the first and last MotoGP event in India for the time being. Hope sense prevails and bureaucracy is streamlined so that we continue to get more of such events!

[BoneCollector]

Reading through the news items and the thread from beginning, I feel they've rushed into this. The organisers should have planned it for next year with all the necessary clearances and related works ironed out before that. I've come to know about this GP happening just last weekend!

[shabih]

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

I've come to know about this GP happening just last weekend!

I have been part of many large international events as a professional organiser. Every time the local government or department has been involved, it meant pure chaos, throw all your planning in the garbage bin and just pray that a major fiasco doesn't happen. In the case of the India MotoGP, they had enough time to plan it well but the bureaucracy must have ruined all their plans

Originally Posted by Turbohead

[url] Hope sense prevails and bureaucracy is streamlined so that we continue to get more of such events!

They dont even recognise motorsports as 'sport'. We should all keep our expectations low and remind ourselves that perhaps this is the first and last MotoGP in India.

Originally Posted by PaddleShifter

@Shabih: At one point of time, Punjab’s PCA stadium wouldn’t allow mobile phones inside the stadium.

At one point PVR also did not allow bags to be carried inside and we had to 'deposit' it at the pan shops nearby who weren't the most trustworthy bunch and we had to pay them for this service. Better sense prevailed and they have locker rooms now at most outlets.

MotoGP is a big event and people are coming from different cities across the country and perhaps from outside as well. Alas, this is turning out to be extremely anxiety-inducing. Why do individual liberties need to be put in check just to enjoy our favorite sport?

[PaddleShifter]

Posting photos downloaded from my facebook album from the last decade. I had visited along with my brother.

BMS ticket pick up counter in Noida 18.



Shuttle bus to the picnic south stand (my brother thinking if Force India would finish the race with points)



Entry at picnic stand south



Auto parked at BIC



Parkings viewed from the stand



Drivers doing a lap prior to the race commencement



Marshals with Indian touch



Picnic stand south. Please excuse the photobombing by an enthusiastic lady in the crowd. South stand has a very good view but we hardly saw any overtaking here. This is the reason we have opt for the turn one this time. The start of the race usually shows some heavy competition here (and a few accidents too).





Ferrari



Force India

[Venkatesh]

Official statement from India MotoGP organisers regarding the ongoing visa problems. Several key team members and even riders are still waiting for their visas to be issued.



Link

[Cyborg]

Capirossi says all requested changes to the track have been carried out, the riders will be happy. So it seems all good to go for Moto GP track wise, now all teams and riders have to be there due to these visa issues

He points out a very important rule about homologation of any track. It seems all tracks receive their homologation on a Thursday and lose it after the race. This is because they ask for special paints and protection which the circuit removes after the race due to which they lose their homologation. This applies to all tracks in the world.

More details in the article below.

https://www.gpone.com/en/2023/09/19/...ologation.html

Cheers

[Haroun]

[Marc Márquez on Instagram] Flight delayed due to the lack of visa for #IndianGP. So let's go cycling for a while.

[RM Motorsports]

Safety car and bike arrived at the Buddh International Circuit ahead of the IndianOil Grand Prix of India.

[Haroun]

Originally Posted by Haroun

Attachment 2505864

[Marc Márquez on Instagram] Flight delayed due to the lack of visa for #IndianGP. So let's go cycling for a while.

Marc Márquez has landed

[SnS_12]

And the madness begins

[Venkatesh]

BMW M Safety Vehicles at MotoGP in India.

BMW M in MotoGP:

25th season as "Official Car of MotoGP
Partnership since 1999
High-performance BMW M Safety Cars

Link

[surjaonwheelz]

Oh my dear racing enthusiasts!

What an electrifying atmosphere at the MotoGP of Bharat today. As I climbed the stairs of Picnic stand South, I could hear the Moto2 bikes roaring down turns 8, 9 & 10. The first view of bikes literally gave me goosebumps!

The joy was visible and I can't deny that my eyes weren't wet! Many enthusiasts came running down the slope with their hands in air and shouting. But the bike were louder!

MotoGP bikes were on a different level all together. Seeing your heroes in front of your eyes doing what they do best was great. My respect for each rider grew ten folds, the commitment they show on the track is phenomenal.

After some initial social media posts and photo/video captures, I video called my friends who couldn't make it to the race. Then things started to settle down, felt the heat under the direct sun, realized that I have earplugs!

The volunteers were doing a hard toil under the sun, the heat was severe! The reason why post lunch sessions were delayed. We returned home and didn't watch the FP2 sessions.

The real thing is in the paddocks and pitlanes and how much I envy those VIP pass holders only I know!

I'll go back tomorrow afternoon, you can't stay out in the stands under the sun for more than 3 hours comfortably. We need to prioritize our timings!

Food & beverages are ok and costlier and they've a business to do and I take it as a donation! The water bottle capacity has to increase. You can't sell 200ml water bottles to the thirsty in such heat!

The way to the circuit is well marked and we took our own car. Plenty of parking space was available today but under the sun!

God please have a breezy day tomorrow at BIC as I'm taking family along and I don't want them to be distracted by the heat.

Just penned my initial thoughts straight from the heart!

Happy racing,
surjaonwheelz

[SnS_12]

Day 1 is done and dusted and was an surreal experience hearing and seeing the Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP bikes in action.

We reached BIC from sector 165 in roughly 45 mins, however we were allowed in our designated seating area only at 9 am and we could already hear the Moto3 bikes starting their practice session. Also, since water bottles were not allowed we had a tough time even buying water as the stalls were getting setup and most of them had no stock to sell. Plus the heat didn't help either and even with the roof to provide some shade it was really tough to remind seated. Surprisingly the washrooms near the finish line were air-conditioned and we regularly used to it to cool ourselves down.

Another thing to note is you would need to pay initially 100 rupees to activate the Atom card and you can reload it by paying cash inside as loading it online with a credit card attracts unwanted fees and charges. Also, always ask them to check and confirm the balance before and after the transaction. We had bought beer and our total was 800 but the guy swiped it thrice for 800. It's only when I enquired the balance that I realised that something was not correct as I had just used the card to buy water before it.

Being the first day the place was not that crowded and we used the whole grandstand starting from the A row all the way to the other end at the end of day 1. Bikers were finding it hard to find the braking point and it was evident with the red flag just as the first session of Moto2 commenced and especially at the first right hander after the straight stretch.

Last bit of advise would be anyone going to BIC in an OLA, Uber that coming back will be nightmare as their won't be cab's available and the ones who willing to come will charge a bomb. Parking too is a nightmare as the places are not well marked and it would be better if one gets in early


Looking forward to day 2 now

Some pictures from the day...





Many stalls were being setup and were only operational by afternoon.











My friend Nadia found one of two Superfan pass, which were hidden around the venue. She has followed the instructions and tomorrow she has to win the contest against the other contender. Benefits of going early on day one.





For a brief moment we taught we found the other pass too only to find out it is only the box and someone had already found the pass

[SnS_12]

Day 2

Met Tony Arbolino in the lift of my hotel so asked him for a picture with him which he happily agreed too. He qualified P6 in the Moto2 category.





Alonso Lopez signing a cap for a friend thanks to our good friends at Lanesplit.



































Mini Team Bhp meet-up. Finaly met Aman Bhpian Athek (second from the right)

[Worldchamp 2019]

I was sceptical at first but I must say that the organisers did a great job of hosting the first MotoGP in India. Seeing the CM up there getting involved inspires a lot of confidence in the vision for the future of MotoGP in India. It was a huge task and they pulled it off brilliantly. All the teams really loved the layout of the track and appreciated the hard work that was put in. Hoping to see this event becoming a permanent fixture on the calendar. Next year I’m sure it will be much better and everything will be smooth. What a race! Nail biting till the last corner of the last lap is normal for MotoGP. F1 in comparison is so boring and predictable. 20 seconds separating 1st and second and another 20 seconds 2nd and third and so on. Anyway, well done to all the staff, marshals, organisers and government for the success of this event.