August 9 - Day of Champions, view from a fan

So Thursday 23rd July 2009 and I’m off for my yearly visit to Day of Champions at Donington Park.  Day of Champions for those that don’t know takes place the Thursday before the British round of MotoGP.  The pits and paddock are opened up to the public and most if not all of the riders are on hand to sign autographs, pose for photographs and auction some of there riding gear off.  All the proceeds go to worthy charity ‘Riders for Health’.  Details on the excellent work they do can be found at www.riders.org along with details of how they raised an amazing £177,000 on the day.

 

The day is jammed packed with things to do.  Entertainment from Crash (James  Toseland’s band), interviews on the main stage with the top riders, a ride-in with Niall Mackenzie where the riders get to lap the track, a classic bike parade, side-car rides if you are crazy enough to hang on, X-Treme trials, mini-moto, charity auction and paddock and pitlane walkabout.  It is the later that I go for mainly.

 

I arrived after the hour trip up the M1 and already the MotoGP atmosphere is in full flow.  People all over the place, cars and bikes a plenty.  The majority of people heading for Day of Champions as the teams are already safe behind restricted gates – for now!

 

Off to the entertainment zone to see what’s what.  There are the usual trade stands and food outlets, a charity tent selling the odd set of rider’s leathers, team t-shirts etc and a huge stage where the main events take place.  Toseland’s band fire up, before interviews and quiz’s take place to keep the crowd happy before the paddock opens.

 

I was lucky enough to be able to access the pit and paddock area before it was opened to the public so in I went.  For a bike fan it is such a cool place.  Bikes being worked on by the mechanics, riders and heroes asleep in their motor homes.  Who sleeps in that one?  Whose push bike is that?   Who does he work for?   I could surely sit on that real quick couldn’t I?  I wondered about, keeping moving, making sure I see everything I wanted too.  Sneak a peak around the back of the trucks; I was still feeling out of place even with a pass.  Riders started to bomb around on their pit scooters too.  Off to see the team, discuss the weekend I guess.  Some of the teams still setting up their huge rigs for the 1st day of practice on the Friday.  The hospitably units are better equipped than some hotels.  The whole place is just so impressive and it’s amazing to get to see behind the scenes.  I caught up with a few people I have met over the years – it’s good to talk - and just continued to make sure I took it all in as I knew come midday there was going to be another 4000 people doing the same.  Off to see the pitlane, no one there, just me and a pro-photographer.  In 24 hours this will be the busiest and noisiest place in central England.  I hang over the wall, there is poll position, closest I will ever get for sure.

 

Walking back to the massive trucks I saw Kevin, so I go over for a chat and quick catch up.  The whole time his right hand is scribbling that famous signature on paper, t-shirts and whatever is put in front of him.  Photo’s being snapped, “Excuse me would you mind?” I had turned in to Mr Kodak.  Fans were telling Kevin of their memories and Kevin held up a ‘Get Well Soon’ banner for a fan that had broken his leg and couldn’t make it.  Can you imagine the look on the fans face when he got to see his hero holding that?  This was all before the paddock had been opened to the public.

 

Then midday arrived and the crowds were let in.  As I said before it is the fans chance to hopefully meet their heroes, get a picture or something signed.  You can tell straight away who Mr Popular is.  Crowds amass at the Yamaha garage – umm wonder why?  A certain motorhome gets surrounded and has its own security – umm how lives there?  Yep, Valentino Rossi is the main draw for sure.

 

The place is now buzzing with 1000’s of people.  Spread out all over, just trying to catch a glimpse of their heroes and idols.  The pitlane is open as are the garage doors so you can see the mechanics working on the bikes whilst waiting for the riders to hopefully turn up for an autograph session, they don’t disappoint.  The teams always look in a state of shock for that 1st hour or so.  Their quiet home from home all of a sudden seems as busy as London; I think they enjoy the fame really!

 

Just wondering around now becomes harder, you see pockets of people and wonder who’s the cause, Mamola, Bradley Smith, Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards to name a few.  Kevin was in their too and I kid you not was in the same place still signing over 2 hours later!  I had been to lunch and come back to find the same size crowd wanting something signed, no one left disappointed.

 

4 o’clock soon came around when everyone was thrown out so the sleepy paddock life could return to normal and riders wrists could recover in time for using it on the throttle rather than a pen.

 

The crowds all went back for the charity auction where riders donate and auction their old leathers, helmets and other goodies all for a good cause.  Details of what went for what can be found here.  Two caps from Kevin raised £400a alone.  I’ll be honest, I didn’t stay for the auction, I needed to get back home and I would have spent far too much money staying.

 

But all in all a fantastic day getting to see behind the scenes of MotoGP all in a good cause.  Well done Riders for Health.  Hope to see you there next year!  Sean.

* Some pics courtesy of Tom Austin (Cibbersicks)