Rookies Travel Programme

23/12/09 : We have published our programme for the 2010 series, and can now confirm bookings. Happy Holidays!

Welcome Rookies!

Pole Position Travel has been appointed as Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Travel programme partner.

Our mission is to ensure your travel is as smooth as possible, giving you the freedom to focus on the really important stuff: your racing!

We have designed a travel programme especially for Rookies and parents and other members of your entourage (sponsors, assistants, friends) to be as easy as possible to setup, while keeping costs to a minimum.

New for 2010 - the General Programme

Following feedback from the past 2 years, we have designed the programme this year to keep the basic costs as low as possible, offering additional programme elements as needed on an individual basis.

The main issue is hotel selection. We try to strike a balance between mitigating factors to provide what we feel will be the best experience in line with the main objective of going out an winning races!

Our key criteria are:

• Keep rookies (esp overseas travellers) together in one hotel
• Use a hotel which has some facilities (such as swimming pool) or fringe benefits (such as a hotel used by GP teams) where possible and within reasonable price balance
• Use a hotel that is reasonably near the circuit
• Use a hotel at which we have staff and other support infrastucture, thus taking advantage of the resources we already have in place for our commercial packages
• Hotels which have twin- and family-bedding available

Since our costs include an element of our service and time, you may well be able to book a hotel on your own cheaper. You are of course on your own in that case; our main added value is our experience and support infrastructure; and the bringing together of families for a shared experience.

The Programmes

Overall our programmes are designed to take the hassle out of planning and utilise our experience in MotoGP travel.

In general our programme for each weekend is:

• Pre-event travel planning and advice
• 4 nights 3* Hotel (or better) with breakfast
• Dedicated Rookies guide at each event
• Specific plans for transfers and other activities at each event (costs and details vary for each event, depending on numbers and circumstances)

We provide the costs for this package for each event; but will create a personal itinerary for each event for you.

We can also handle any special requests:

• Flights (see section on flights) & transfers
• Additional nights
• Larger groups
• Event tickets
• Travel within Europe (such as between events)
• Local activities/tours
• Special activities and programmes for sponsors and related parties

If you have been with us before: the main difference in the programme this year is that we do not bundle in the costs of airport & track transfers and the necessary cost of a full-time guide. We will organise ground transfers on a shared group basis depending on bookigns for the individual events. This has the effect of saving a lot of costs (and risk) which results in lower costs to you.

You still get the key benefits of our experience and staff on hand; but we don't need to build costs for services you may individually not require into the "packages".

Serviced travel vs 'DIY': What to expect

In planning your travel around the Rookies events, you are faced with two main strategies:

Do-it-yourself. Many riders come to the events in their caravans and stay at the track. This is good for saving hotel costs and of course means you always have your stuff to hand. Of course you need to have the caravan in the first place and there is the drive time and associated costs to get there. Another possible disadvantage is that you are cooped up at the track all weekend.

Serviced travel. Coming with us means you fly to the destination and the rest of the arrangements are up to us. Staying in a hotel is usually more comfortable and we ensure you get to the track and back without hassle. You will also be staying with other Rookies, Pole Position staff, and usually customers of ours will share the hotel. (While you are under no obligation to mingle with these; it never hurts to get yourself recognised by the fans who might later be cheering you on or even possibly lead to sponsorship opportunities.)

When you work out the costs, you may well find that coming with us is no more expensive than taking your caravan, and of course is a lot easier! We operate the programme at a very low margin (far less than our commercial offerings) to help bring the best value and service to you.

We can either just provide the ground services, or for a totally complete offer, can organise your flights for you as well.

Bottom line: Of course a major benefit is the fact that we can give you a cost for your entire participation in the programme. This is the minimm hassle approach; and gives you control over expenses and peace of mind. To get an idea of what the entire travel will cost you, see our note on the bottom line.

How to participate?

First, make sure you have read the Rookies Travel Programme (this web site).

Next contact us. Best is to email the rookies coordinator, or phone +420 222 313 663 (Prague office) or +44 191 406 6260 (UK)

What happens next?

We will work out a precise schedule for each event with you. We have a 'standard' programme, but you can add days and people to it, request event tickets, and we can also work out any special requests.

You will be emailed an itinerary for each event; and once this is confirmed we will send you an invoice.

Payments

We take a 25% deposit on confirmation. For the balance you may choose:

• Pay the entire balance before the Jerez opening event
• Pay per event - you pay the balance of each event 6 weeks before the event

We understand the financial pressures on getting started in racing, thus we offer the 'pay by event' option at no further cost to help you manage your cash flow.

Finally, if you book ALL events with us (you can omit one); we will do a special 'Gold Programme' discount of 6% across all packages (inclusing test and Riders Cup)

Why Pole Position Travel?

We are the largest specialist agency for MotoGP travel and event management. This give us very good experience at all the venues as well as excellent contacts in the industry. 2010 will be our third season providing travel services for the Red Bull Rookies, the experience gained in the first season is invaluable in helping us further refine our services.

We are parents ourselves; thus have some idea of the stresses faced as well as the need for clear direction and management; and in our own way can help provide advice specific to the issues of motorcycle racing and travel.

We have a substantial customer base, including perhaps the largest VIP clientele of MotoGP. We encourage the interaction of our customers with the riders and their families, both to help develop accord and understanding as well as to open the door to opporutnities - several of our VIP customers have gone on to be sponsorers/supporters of riders.

Feel free to consult in confidence any issue with either our Rookie administrator or managing director and father Gordon Howell.

The 2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Programme (provisional)

Provisional programme & entry list