What's New At The Red Bull Indianapolis GP?
August 17, 2011 | By Paul Kelly
Along with many familiar sights, fans can expect a host of new attractions when the fourth annual Red Bull Indianapolis GP rolls into town Aug. 26-28 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The centerpiece of the weekend will be the world’s best motorcycle riders, including Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, Nicky Hayden, Ben Spies and Colin Edwards, competing for a coveted spot atop the IMS victory podium. Popular fan attractions such as the Pit Walkabout, Ducati Island, Vendor Marketplace and Interactive Display Area, Riders for Health auction and rider chats and the Cycle World Editorial Seminar are once again part of the weekend’s program. And the gorgeous umbrella girls on the grid and models strutting on the catwalk during Ducati Island fashion shows have become welcomed sights at the event.
In addition to the traditional activities during Red Bull Indianapolis GP weekend, the 2011 schedule introduces a variety of fun, new activities at IMS, creating even more excitement and value for MotoGP fans. A look at the new offerings:
•Earlier MotoGP Race Start Time: The Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP feature race will start at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28 at IMS, an hour earlier than the first three years of the event at IMS.
•IMS After Dark: An expanded lineup of evening party and social attractions will be featured for fans Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27 at “IMS After Dark” during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.
Public gates will remain open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at IMS to create one of the coolest parties of the year, energized by the style and attitude of Red Bull.
And for the first time, motorcyclists can park their bikes in the center of the action on the new Main Street in the IMS infield, creating the social scene that is a vital part of every rider’s lifestyle. A variety of fun, action-packed activities, including music, motorcycle competition and fashion, will be located along Main Street.
•Evening Concerts: The centerpiece of IMS After Dark will be concerts in the evening by national and regional acts.
Crash, the band led by two-time World Superbike champion and former MotoGP rider James Toseland, will play from 7:15-8:15 p.m. Friday on the Red Bull Energy Station Stage. Appetite For Destruction, a premier Guns ‘N Roses tribute band, will be on stage from 8:30-10 p.m.
Three national acts will take the Red Bull Energy Station Stage on Saturday. Acoustic pop/freestyle artist Kelley James will open the evening of music at 6:30 p.m., followed by in-demand DJ Mick Boogie. Unique electro-rock band Ghostland Observatory will begin its pulsating performance, which includes a laser light show, at 9 p.m.
•Fan Attractions Moving to Evening: Many of the popular existing daytime attractions of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP are moving to the evening as part of IMS After Dark.
Every MotoGP rider will be interviewed during the Riders for Health auction at 5 p.m. Friday adjacent to the main stage in the IMS infield.
The Pit Walkabout, which allows fans to see up-close the incredible prototype machines of MotoGP, will take place on the pit lane from 5-6:45 p.m. Saturday. The timing of the Pit Walkabout should allow fans to witness team mechanics make final race preparations to the bikes.
Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, American favorites Ben Spies and Colin Edwards, and Cal Crutchlow will be interviewed during the Yamaha Rider Q&A at 5:45 p.m. Saturday on the Red Bull Energy Station Stage in the IMS infield.
•Fireworks: Impressive, colorful fireworks displays are scheduled for Saturday evening at IMS between the concerts by Kelley James and DJ Mick Boogie and between Boogie’s set and the headline act of Ghostland Observatory.
James’ performance will start the evening of music at 6:30 p.m.
•Harleys Racing at IMS: The AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 series will bring Harley-Davidson racing to IMS. It’s the first time Harley racing thunder will be heard at the Brickyard since the very first event at the historic facility, a motorcycle race in August 1909.
AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 activity will take place all three days, with practice Friday and races Saturday and Sunday.
•More Track Time Friday: The Friday schedule features expanded track time, with morning and afternoon practice sessions for MotoGP, Moto2, 125cc and XR1200 producing more than five hours of action.
Morning practice begins at 9:15 a.m., with afternoon sessions starting at 1:15 p.m.
There are nearly five hours of on-track action Saturday, with practice and qualifying for the three World Championship classes and an AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 race.
•Vintage Bikes: Vintage racing motorcycles participating in the Cycle World Rolling Concours on the roads of central Indiana during race weekend will be on display at IMS during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.
•Pre-Race Stunts: There will be thrills on land and in the air during pre-race ceremonies for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 28, as Red Bull aerobatic and air race pilot Kirby Chambliss and Red Bull motorcycle stunt riders Geoff Aaron and Aaron Colton will perform.
Chambliss will fly over the IMS infield and Brickyard Crossing Golf Course at 1:15 p.m. Colton will perform stunts on the front straightaway of the IMS oval at 10:15 a.m., with Aaron stunting at 10:05 a.m., 11:50 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Vendor Marketplace near Gasoline Alley.
***
2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets: 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets are on sale now.
To buy tickets, visit www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
The 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP is scheduled for Aug. 26-28 at IMS.
Race Day general admission tickets cost $40, with Friday general admission $10 and Saturday general admission $20. A three-day general admission ticket is $60. A Friday-Saturday general admission ticket is $25.
Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free any of the three days of the event when accompanied by an adult with a general admission ticket.
Race Day reserved seat prices will start at $70.