PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Hello Gang, This post is to inform those who are looking to participate on the COTA trip, listed is all the information necessary to book your rooms, buy your tickets and see the trip schedule. In regards to any folks looking to send your bike to Texas, please get in touch with Anil and/or Mak for details on how to add your motorcycle to the trip. The information will be continuously updated as new information becomes available. Please continue to check back for any changes that might take place, especially as the date gets closer. Some items have not been finalized, but I feel that we need to get the ball rolling specially for the time sensitive items. It is very important that you read all the details. If you have any questions, please post it here as it might help others or shoot me a PM ----- Motorcycle Transportation: (Refer to Mak and Anil for details on adding your bike) ----- Event Schedule: We have the privilege of calling STDG (South Texas Desmo Gruppo) our sister club. Hanging out with the local Ducati Club will give us the opportunity to ride some cool Texas roads that otherwise would be unknown to us, non Texans. Schedule subject to change, and in case you get separated from the group here’s a detailed schedule you can use for reference: Wednesday April 6th Not much going on here, kind of a travel day for many, if you arrive early you can visit the following restaurants which were recommended by the Texas crew. It’s close by the hotel. Pappasito’s – TexMex food, good place for dinner. http://pappasitos.com/location/50 Ojos Locos – Kind of a raunchier Tilted Kilt, good place for drinks http://ojoslocos.com/ Thursday April 7th: Mid-day- Motorcycles arrive – unloading happens at the hotel 4pm – Leave for The Oasis Ride http://oasis-austin.com/ – Lake Travis http://laketravis.com/ - Need to leave promptly to beat the Austin traffic as much as possible - We’ll have dinner there. 8-8:30pm – Leave to 6th street to The Nook http://www.nookamphitheater.com/ - 309 E 6th St. Austin, Texas 78701 - Everyone on their own afterwards (remember that there is an early morning ride the next day) Friday April 8th: Get a good and hearty breakfast at the hotel and bring your Friday Ducati Island Pass and place the parking pass on your bike. If you have a lanyard use it, as it'll be easier to present the pass at the entrance gate when entering the track for Ducati Island. 8am – Meet at Exxon Mobil at 2801 La Frontera Blvd, Austin, TX 78728 - Gas up and get some last minute snacks - This is about a 15 minute ride from the hote, directions below: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/6505+N+Interstate+Highway+35,+Austin,+TX+78752/2801+La+Frontera+Blvd,+Austin,+TX+78728/@30.4034435,-97.7712821,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x8644ca222629333f:0x704f3f7ab40ea8ce!2m2!1d-97.7044113!2d30.3263126!1m5!1m1!1s0x8644ce1b9c185ffd:0x15b8f5327db9e2ca!2m2!1d-97.6844412!2d30.4786544?hl=en 8:30am – Kickstands UP!!! - Time to enjoy the Texas back country, remember that you are a long way from home, don’t put yourself and others in jeopardy. This is the beginning of a cool Texas/MotoGP trip, ride leisurely, it’s not a race!!! - Route - http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/550/Routes/Hippie-Hollow-Horror.html Lunch - Whataburger, the best fast food joint you’ll ever eat! - 1520 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Head to the track – Plan is to get there to watch MotoGP’s Free Practice 2, it starts at 2pm. 5:45pm – Leave track and roll out to the "Super Hooligan" by Roland Sands Flat Track Race, next to the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show. http://www.rolandsands.com/blog/648/austin-handbuilt-motorcycle-show-super-hooligan-racing-2016 - 1100 E. 5th St. Austin, TX 78702 - We'll be cheering for one of our own, Michael Gregory has been confirmed as one of the racers, if things go his way, he'll qualify to race at the COTA Pro Flat Track Races on Saturday. Go Michael!!! 9pm – Head over to the DOC party at the hotel. $20 Charge. - Food + DJ + Drinks, proof of Ducati ownership required (Key, insurance, etc) https://www.facebook.com/events/235946090080055/ 6505 N Interstate 35. Austin, Texas 78752 Saturday April 9th: 8:45am - (TIME CHANGE!!!!! We'll be meeting up at 10am at the hotel parking lot) DRILL and STDG group meet at the hotel (Don't forget your passes and parking bands) 9am – Leave to COTA ~3pm – Parking lot shenanigans outside of main entrance (food, drinks and whatever else you want to bring) ~5pm – Head over to the COTA Pro Flat Track, specific time on the races are still to be determined. We might have one of our own very own racing depending on the Friday results for Michael Gregory. $50 admission at the gate. http://www.amaproracing.com/ft/events/event.cfm?year=2016&eid=2016021610 - Ducatista area is turn one, Main Grandstand Section A. Per Vicki Smith, there will be an area roped off for Ducati Riders. 9pm – Leave to the Revival Cycles Custom Motorcycle Show. Free Admission. http://revivalcycles.com/pages/about-the-handbuilt-motorcycle-show 1100 E. 5th St. Austin, TX 78702 - Show ends at 12am, some will hang around, some will go back to the hotel and some will hit up 6th St. Remember, Red Snake Ride is the next morning Sunday April 10th: APR10 Red Snake Ride - Austin MotoGP Public meetup by Ducati Austin and Austin Ducati Owners Club Red Snake Ride - Austin MotoGP is on Facebook. https://m.facebook.com/events/213173452372897/?ref=3&action_history=null Sunday, April 10 at 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM in CDT Ducati Austin 812 E Braker Ln, Austin, Texas 78753 PM – Load up bikes for the trip home, safe travels. ------------------- Ducati Island Tickets: Buy them now if you haven’t, as they can sell out. When buying mention you are part of the STDG-DRILL group. The best way to book the tix and sit together is to call the ticket office at: A.J. Rizzo – Sales Manager – Circuit of the Americas (512) 536-1453 Anthony.rizzo@circuitoftheamericas.com 20 seats are reserved for now, members need to call and mention STDG-DRILLto stay together. ----------------- Hotel: As posted on Facebook, in partnership with Ducati North America, a block of rooms exclusively for Ducati DOC members will be available in Austin! There is limited space so book soon! Be sure to coordinate with a member, as I know some are looking to split the cost. Hotel Details: DoubleTree by Hilton, Austin 6505 Interstate Highway 35 North Austin, TX 78752 512-454-3737 10 miles from the track, 5 miles from downtown. http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/A/AUSLNDT-DOC-20160407/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG The $179/night rate includes the following: -Run of hotel room selection (King, doubles, etc.) -Breakfast vouchers per guest for full service breakfast (2 per room, per day) -Parking in a covered and secured garage -Complimentary WiFi access We have our own exclusive booking code: "DOC" and you can also use the following link to book your room. http://doubletree.hilton.com/…/AUSLNDT-DOC-201…/index.jhtml… - A DOC party is scheduled at the hotel for Friday night that will be open to all Ducati owners and their bikes - The hotel has agreed to let us park the bikes in premium areas around the hotel to really showcase all bikes. More details coming over the next months including a possible “Concorso d’ Eleganza Ducati” bike show the night of the DOC gathering. There will also be a Red Snake Ride this year – Details are being worked out for that as well! ------------------ Getting There: Please take this opportunity on the forums to coordinate with members who are looking to travel with a buddy. I know that there are folks that are looking to make the drive to Austin, but I believe that the majority are flying. ------------------ Getting to and from hotel Everyone is on their own, please coordinate getting to and from hotel with your fellow members to reduce costs. ----------------------
The tentative plan is to have the bikes there Wednesday. However, it may be late night. The plan is to unload Thursday. Plans are subject to change.
I would really like to fly down Wednesday morning, having a bike to get around, and be able to relax before the weekend festivities.
And I probably won't be flying back until Monday either, but I understand the desire to load everything up Sunday.
Plans for the bikes is to get there Wednesday night Thursday morning as there are logistical issues, specific time will be posted. Plus people will be getting there at different times and not possible to accommodate everyone if they would like their bikes as soon as they get there. If you get there early, the Ducati hotel is in a nice area with close proximity to downtown Austin, hit a pub or two. Plus if there are folks that get there early, it'll be better to help the unloading and not have randoms at the hotel helping which is not something I want to have. In regards to the return plans, bikes to be loaded Sunday evening, Monday morning the latest. Again, it depends on the logistical workings needed to be worked out with the company transporting the bikes. There isn't room to play with here, stay tuned for the specific times.
I'm still pretty set on returning Monday instead of burning myself out trying to get back after the race, but if bikes aren't arriving Wednesday, I won't take the extra day off work or waste $180 on the hotel. I'll fly down Thursday morning.
Who is looking to split a hotel? If I have to catch an earlier flight back on Sunday, what are my options for my bike? Who is driving down?
I am not aware of anyone looking to split a room, I am sure there is someone in the club. Hope someone can reply here, otherwise the DRILL Facebook is a good spot to find someone. Please work with Mak and Anil in regards to your bike transportation. I think Mak was thinking of doing it.
Okay my last minuet changes. As some of you know I will be driving down and hauling my bike with me. I plan to leave Chicago sometime Tuesday 4/5 and plan to be back in Chicago Tuesday 4/12. I have room on the truck right now for one additional bike. The total cost for that one person will be $500., or less depending on gas prices, I have accommodations for whomever drives down with me. The accommodations are included in the price. Please contact me before 4/1 to confirm and workout the driving details and lodging. Although this is short notice for most of you, I had someone drop out at the last minuet which allows me to have the space. Yes I will be driving down with or without you . Contact me here or send to Muzik1198@gmail.com.
