First time attending an SX! Got some questions!

Nielsen277
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Nielsen277
Edited Date/Time 1/21/2012 1:35pm
I've been riding since 2000 (I'm 20), but I've never been to a national or supercross! Living in Louisiana, the closest SX race is Houston, which is around 240 miles from my house. I talked to my parents and they're willing to pay for my gas to drive out there this weekend!! I'm bring a cousin with me, he doesn't ride, but he knows who Stewart is haha.

I was wondering about getting autographs! I'd like to get some of the top guys (mostly Stewart, Reed, and Villopoto) and also a few lites riders and privateers. Will it be possible to get more than a few signatures?? Or will there not be enough time?

I also wanted to verify that I will be able to get into the pits with an empty Monster can...
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superorbital
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superorbital 2/10/2011 5:53pm
2/10/2011 5:53pm
Is there a pit party in Houston? We don't have one in Indy.
flynbrian
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flynbrian 2/10/2011 5:58pm
2/10/2011 5:58pm
This is what I am going to try. Some of the guy's like Stewart hand out tickets. Just as soon as you get in the door go straight to his line and try to get one. If not you can usually stand in line at some of the other guy's like Canard they usually have a sign that says when they will be signing. Just show up early. You can usually get a few between practices.
Nielsen277
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Nielsen277 2/10/2011 6:04pm
2/10/2011 6:04pm
flynbrian wrote:
This is what I am going to try. Some of the guy's like Stewart hand out tickets. Just as soon as you get in the door...
This is what I am going to try. Some of the guy's like Stewart hand out tickets. Just as soon as you get in the door go straight to his line and try to get one. If not you can usually stand in line at some of the other guy's like Canard they usually have a sign that says when they will be signing. Just show up early. You can usually get a few between practices.
Ok sweet, thanks!!!
kardy
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kardy 2/10/2011 6:15pm
2/10/2011 6:15pm
They still do the empty monster can pit entry for free thing, yep. And the pits are open there.

The Shop

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VEGAS711
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VEGAS711 2/10/2011 6:18pm
2/10/2011 6:18pm
You can check with Damon Smith. I heard he just attended his first supercross. Similar story to yours.Woohoo
Nielsen277
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Nielsen277 2/10/2011 6:29pm
2/10/2011 6:29pm
VEGAS711 wrote:
You can check with Damon Smith. I heard he just attended his first supercross. Similar story to yours.Woohoo
LOL! I hope he's there! That would be awesome!

Thanks for the info guys!

I've been SUPER PUMPED the last few days! School has been torture!!
Rocket Launcher 2/10/2011 6:39pm
2/10/2011 6:39pm
Texas is all about excess.......We have a bunch of room aound the stadium, so the pit area is pretty long and linear. You can't miss factory rigs when you enter, so as mentioned above, get there at noon and head straight for the row with the factory rigs.

Print a schedule for the day's events before you come so you know when the practice sessions are. During practice, you can sit anywhere you want. Its pretty cool to watch the A class riders dial in the track and later lay down hot laps.

After you watch a few practice sessions, head back to the pits and go through the rows toward the back, you will have a chance to pick up a lot more autographs. Bring a few sharpies with you so its easier to get them to sign something for you, and I recommend picking a poster mailing tube from walmart to store your signed posters in. It's easy to haul around and will work great at protecting your autographed posters.

Also, consider taking an extra light colored t-shirt for them so sign for you.

Have fun, and we will see you there!
MX455
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MX455 2/10/2011 6:53pm
2/10/2011 6:53pm
Have fun man. SX live is the best thing EVER!
500guy
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500guy 2/10/2011 7:19pm
2/10/2011 7:19pm
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many of the top guy's act like it's a chore.

Cruse the pits , watch practice , ask some Privateers for their autograph and have some new guy's to cheer for.
slowvet
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slowvet 2/10/2011 7:22pm
2/10/2011 7:22pm
500guy wrote:
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many...
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many of the top guy's act like it's a chore.

Cruse the pits , watch practice , ask some Privateers for their autograph and have some new guy's to cheer for.
Great advice.
mag23
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mag23 2/10/2011 7:25pm
2/10/2011 7:25pm
first sx is better than your first, nevermind
Nielsen277
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Nielsen277 2/10/2011 7:30pm
2/10/2011 7:30pm
500guy wrote:
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many...
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many of the top guy's act like it's a chore.

Cruse the pits , watch practice , ask some Privateers for their autograph and have some new guy's to cheer for.
slowvet wrote:
Great advice.
I definitely won't be in the pits all day, I plan on watching all the practice sessions. I'm not really worried about autographs at all, I just wanted to see how easy it would be to get them. I probably won't wait in line with a number... That just seems like a waste of time.
500guy
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500guy 2/10/2011 7:39pm
2/10/2011 7:39pm
500guy wrote:
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many...
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many of the top guy's act like it's a chore.

Cruse the pits , watch practice , ask some Privateers for their autograph and have some new guy's to cheer for.
slowvet wrote:
Great advice.
Nielsen277 wrote:
I definitely won't be in the pits all day, I plan on watching all the practice sessions. I'm not really worried about autographs at all, I...
I definitely won't be in the pits all day, I plan on watching all the practice sessions. I'm not really worried about autographs at all, I just wanted to see how easy it would be to get them. I probably won't wait in line with a number... That just seems like a waste of time.
Good man, Have a good time and let us know how it goes.
knowitalloveragainnovice 2/10/2011 7:43pm
2/10/2011 7:43pm
500guy wrote:
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many...
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many of the top guy's act like it's a chore.

Cruse the pits , watch practice , ask some Privateers for their autograph and have some new guy's to cheer for.
slowvet wrote:
Great advice.
Nielsen277 wrote:
I definitely won't be in the pits all day, I plan on watching all the practice sessions. I'm not really worried about autographs at all, I...
I definitely won't be in the pits all day, I plan on watching all the practice sessions. I'm not really worried about autographs at all, I just wanted to see how easy it would be to get them. I probably won't wait in line with a number... That just seems like a waste of time.
Do not miss a minute of the riding! So much goes on in practice for the total moto fanatic lover of the sport and the stadiums are empty so you can sit wherever you want.

Going to the pit's to get riders autographs you will quickly learn loses it's luster for anyone who rides a full size motorcycle. For those on 80's and smaller it's a different deal.


Sure it's cool to check out the rigs and the factory bikes with the tires with the chalk still on 'em but you will quickly see the riders look just like the kids you see at school who are the same age as you and wear Fox or Volcom or whatever t shirts.

If you think practice is boring keep in mind that every single magazine race report ALWAYS recaps the day with the goings on of practice.

Even though Stewie never rides in 'em.
Xeno
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Xeno 2/10/2011 7:59pm
2/10/2011 7:59pm
Sit in the rider's seating area for at least some of the practice sessions. It's the seating near the tunnel and the starting gate. You can't miss it since there will be people in motocross gear sitting there.
But remember, the riders are "on the job". Their minds are focused on the track and the comp, so it's not a good time to seek autographs or conversation.

Have fun! Wish I was going...
jndmx
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jndmx 2/10/2011 9:30pm
2/10/2011 9:30pm
Definitely check out all of practice, it is interesting to watch them learn the track and set up for the "fast lap".
Move around to different seats as previously suggested industry seating is cool during the day.

The opening show is cool, fireworks rider entrances etc.......it is worth the ticket to hear the God voice say KEVIN WINDHAM!!!!!!!!!.......LOL.

Have fun!

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Bill_Carroll
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Bill_Carroll 2/10/2011 9:47pm
2/10/2011 9:47pm
500guy wrote:
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many...
My only advice is don't spend all day waiting around for an autograph. it's most of the time not the personal experience you think and many of the top guy's act like it's a chore.

Cruse the pits , watch practice , ask some Privateers for their autograph and have some new guy's to cheer for.
slowvet wrote:
Great advice.
Nice!
Bill_Carroll
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Bill_Carroll 2/10/2011 9:50pm
2/10/2011 9:50pm
Nielsen277 wrote:
I've been riding since 2000 (I'm 20), but I've never been to a national or supercross! Living in Louisiana, the closest SX race is Houston, which...
I've been riding since 2000 (I'm 20), but I've never been to a national or supercross! Living in Louisiana, the closest SX race is Houston, which is around 240 miles from my house. I talked to my parents and they're willing to pay for my gas to drive out there this weekend!! I'm bring a cousin with me, he doesn't ride, but he knows who Stewart is haha.

I was wondering about getting autographs! I'd like to get some of the top guys (mostly Stewart, Reed, and Villopoto) and also a few lites riders and privateers. Will it be possible to get more than a few signatures?? Or will there not be enough time?

I also wanted to verify that I will be able to get into the pits with an empty Monster can...
Walk in the doors and take a big wif, it will last F O R E V E R
Has~Been
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Has~Been 2/11/2011 4:47am
2/11/2011 4:47am
Bill_Carroll wrote:
Nice!
Sport your favorite riders jersey and make sure you tuck it in, race tucked walk tucked! Respect!!

Give Watson a reach around, and the pits are yours............
FastEddy
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FastEddy 2/11/2011 4:50am
2/11/2011 4:50am
Has~Been wrote:
Sport your favorite riders jersey and make sure you tuck it in, race tucked walk tucked! Respect!! Give Watson a reach around, and the pits are...
Sport your favorite riders jersey and make sure you tuck it in, race tucked walk tucked! Respect!!

Give Watson a reach around, and the pits are yours............
Jeans,Cowboy boots and a tucked in jersey has Houston written all over it. Smile
Great advice.
LoudLove
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LoudLove 2/11/2011 5:17am
2/11/2011 5:17am
Fill a Mason jar with exhaust from your crusty two-stroke leaf blower and take a whiff when a bike is started in the pits. Now THAT'S moto!

Back in ye olden days my compadres and I would hit the early practice sessions and bet on which privateer would make the night show. You get one mulligan if your rider of choice wads it in the whoops...
DoctorJD
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DoctorJD 2/11/2011 5:47am
2/11/2011 5:47am
I don't know about Houston, but the pits in Atlanta are a total clusterf***. I quit going to the pits (much to the chagrin of the kids) a couple of years ago. Just a mass of humanity, like a big freaking mosh pit all walking shoulder-to-shoulder, it gives me the creeps just thinking about it. If you do go to the pits, I wouldn't waste my time seeking an autograph, that would take all day, and then you're still not guaranteed anything. Grab some freebies, and get out of there. Focus more on practice/qualifying, the night show doesn't last that long (at least the racing doesn't) so you get to see more of the riders.
yosmithy
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yosmithy 2/11/2011 5:50am
2/11/2011 5:50am
Head down to the pits after the races. It beats the hell out of sitting in line to get out of the parking lot.
dlowe102
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dlowe102 2/11/2011 7:12am
2/11/2011 7:12am
If you passed up going to one since 2000 then you missed your window to see the day races..they were THE must see..now i would say if there is a bike on the track you better be watching as the night program has been cut down 30 minutes from when they used to do semi's
offspring22
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offspring22 2/11/2011 9:24am
2/11/2011 9:24am
LoudLove wrote:
Fill a Mason jar with exhaust from your crusty two-stroke leaf blower and take a whiff when a bike is started in the pits. Now THAT'S...
Fill a Mason jar with exhaust from your crusty two-stroke leaf blower and take a whiff when a bike is started in the pits. Now THAT'S moto!

Back in ye olden days my compadres and I would hit the early practice sessions and bet on which privateer would make the night show. You get one mulligan if your rider of choice wads it in the whoops...
What a great idea!

I like to just grab them by the shoulders in the tunnel at A1, before they put their goggles on, and look them straight in the eyes and scream, "YOU READY FOR THIS, LITTLE MAN? YOU READY FOR THIS? THIS IS THE BIG LEAGUES NOW! THERE'S NO TURNING BACK!"

Get's 'em all riled up.
Holigan
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Holigan 2/11/2011 9:47am
2/11/2011 9:47am
For autograph seekers, just go to the airport in the morning. All of the riders are on the first flights out. You can't miss them in the check-in lines, overstuffed Ogio bags and weird ball caps. Stand by security line and you can pick them off.
Nielsen277
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Nielsen277 2/11/2011 10:13am
2/11/2011 10:13am
I really appreciate all the info guys!!

Can't wait for tomorrow!
jamma10
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jamma10 2/11/2011 10:22am
2/11/2011 10:22am
If you can pick Devin Davis up on the way he'll show you what to do, where to go, where to sit etc. He's pretty much the go-to guy on this message board so Im sure he'll be able to pull some strings with his 'friends' in the pits.

He stars in his own videos and stuff. He's pretty cool.

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