Day 15 - Dutch GP Practice

We woke at 7:00am today excited about our first MotoGP experience in Europe. We went downstairs for the hotel’s breakfast. They had a very fancy setup with both cold and hot items. They had a machine that squeezed oranges on the spot when you pulled the lever for orange juice. It was quite the contraption. You just dropped oranges in the hopper and the machine sliced them in two and then squeezed them.

After breakfast we jumped in the car for the quick 30 minute drive south to the TT Circuit in Assen. We took exit 32 off the A-28 and followed the signs right to the parking lot where attendants told us where to park. We walked over to the main entrance and looked for the “blue box with orange flame” as that was the location that would have our tickets. We found a blue box hut with orange trim and figured that was likely it. It was! We showed the guy our e-ticket and he gave us our 3 day paper tickets and we proceeded through the gate and into the track facility. Unlike the other track we have been to, Assen has all its stands on the perimeter of the track. Only if you bought paddock passes are you able to access the interior of the track.

We walked over to our seats so we would know where to sit on Sunday. They are in the Winterduk Tribune, section PW, Row 11, seats 5 & 6. Great location as the seats are in front of a railing so nobody can sit in front of us. The stands are between the GP chicane and the Ramshoek corners. We expect these stands to be full on Sunday. This whole track usually gets 100k+ spectators. 

Because of the sun angle in the morning, we moved further down the track and sat on one of the large grass berms that surround much of the track and are for the general admission tickets. We sat at the Hoge Heide “corner” ( more of a high speed kink in the straight connecting the Meeuwenmer and Ramshoek corners) and took pics of the Free Practice 1 - or FP1 - session for all three classes as they came through the Meeuwenmer corner. 

Michele noticed an alarming trend for guys to pee in the woods and not really have any shame or modesty about it other than turning one’s back. There were toilets everywhere, what was the deal? Apparently they are pay to pee and were not open. 

After FP1, we walked around the remainder of the track to check out other locations. The track is very large and we estimate the perimeter is 1.5 -2 miles around. Michele found a real nice spot near the De Bult Tribune. It sits at the Stekkenwal corner and provides a nice view of the bikes exiting Steuben and running through Ruskenhoek on their way into Stekkenwal. (Michele is very impressed with Rob’s memory of the track’s turn names.) We’ll try taking pictures from there tomorrow either during FP3 or Qualifying depending on the sun angle.

We continued our way around the track until we were back at the main entrance. It was about 1:30 at this time so we got something to eat. We shared a basket of fries (hold the Mayonnaise please) and a beef croquette sandwich. It is the same type of croquette as we had back in Spain but sausage shaped in a bun. Tasty. They also had curry ketchup. Huh? We later looked this up and it is a spicy sauce. Rob thinks this is what was on our sandwich yesterday. Michele has been wondering for months what track food would be available and if it would be local foods or just burgers. Most of the food concessions were not open today to see all of the options. 

Just as we paid for our food, FP2 started up so we found a shady spot to eat standing up. After, we walked over to the Strubben Tribune and sat at the very top so Rob could get pictures of the riders braking into turn 1 (Haarbocht) and running through Madijk, Ossebroeken, and the Strubben areas of the track. The sun was hot so Michele sat under her regular rain umbrella for more shade. It was 73 today with a slight breeze, but the sun was intense in the stands. 

While sitting here, we saw Jorge Martin #88 in Moto3 go down on the entry to Strubben. He looked hurt and was carried off to the ambulance. Good news though as everything checked out at the hospital and he expects to race on Saturday. Phew. Martin is one of our favorite Moto3 riders.

Next was MotoGp practice session # 2. Maverick Vinales #25 waved at Michele when he finished. Rob said he did because he was first in timing and was in a good mood, haha. Once the MotoGP practice was over, the crowd really thinned out. We stayed and watched the last session for Moto2. That session ended around 3:50. We then walked over to a concession stand and bought shirts for us and a hat for our friend Jerry.

We got caught in a bit of Friday rush hour. The drive back took about 45 minutes. It would have been a little shorter but Rob had trouble navigating the triple roundabout and had to go around the crazy configuration about three times. It is not a normal roundabout and splits lanes during it. Around we go again! We felt a little dizzy afterwards. :-)

Rob checked his camera when we were back in the room and today’s tally of pictures was 3,194. Michele estimated he took 7,402 today so he must have been slacking off. 

We had dinner reservations at the hotel restaurant for 6:30pm this evening. We got a nice table by the neat fireplace. Rob asked the waitress for a good beer and liked her choice. Rob’s expression is not so nice.

Tomorrow we head back to the track for qualifying practice!