But this year, the most technically advanced motorcycles on the planet and their riders will be here on Fourth of July weekend. The cycles get on track Friday and Saturday with practice and qualifying for the final race on Sunday.

When the MotoGP came to Laguna Seca in 2005 it turned out to be the largest event in the history of the world-renowned raceway, which held its first race in 1957. It was the first time the raceway declared a sellout, with about 55,000 fans on race day.

Primarily a European tour - with stops in Asia and Australia - MotoGP has always drawn huge crowds around the world with the riders treated much like rock stars.

Still don't understand what all the MotoGP fuss is about?

Well, here is a little more background on what is one of the only two U.S. stops by the world's premier class of motorcycle racing.

What kind of racing is this? Is it like motocross? Do they jump over obstacles?

Think leatherclad, helmeted riders zooming around the 11-turn track at speeds sometimes exceeding 180 mph. The bikes are light and expensive, made of titanium and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, powered by four-cylinder, 800cc engines.

There are no jumps, no obstacles, unless something goes horribly wrong.

Can I get a last-minute ticket?

Yes. The event is not yet sold out and if you decide Saturday or Sunday morning

The first, if you're on a motorcycle, enter through Barloy Canyon off of Reservation Road and you can purchase tickets there.

Secondly, if you're coming by car, go to the CSUMB campus on the former Fort Ord where you can park, purchase a ticket and ride a complimentary shuttle bus to the track.

There is very limited auto parking on the Laguna Seca site (which has essentially been sold out) and the bus is the best way to get into and out of the track, anyway.

Will there be celebrities?

Every year, there have been numerous celebrity sightings, including Brad Pitt, who was Grand Marshal in 2005, Tom Cruise last year and AMA team owner Michael Jordan.

Who's going to come this year? No telling but the speed and show put on by MotoGP seem to be a celebrity magnet. Most don't make their potential presence known until the day of the event.

What's the drama?

Entering this past weekend, three riders were tied for the championship points lead - Valentino Rossi, his teammate Jorge Lorenzo of Spain and 2007 series champ Casey Stoner of Australia. The title chase is one of the closest in history and the season won't be half over when they come to Laguna Seca.

The flamboyant Rossi won at Laguna in 2008, punctuating the victory by parking his Yamaha at the top of the signature Corkscrew (Turns 8 & 8A, which gave the Europeans fits at first) and kissing the pavement in the middle of the famous turn.

Will there be more than just racing?

Yes. There will be live music in the Corkscrew area each day, a MotoGP fan party in the Turn 4 Yamaha Marketplace area, a free concert by local group Crash in the Yamaha Marketplace, stunt shows in the marketplace as well as a stunt show in front of the Turn 4 and 11 grandstands by Bill Dixon during on-track breaks.

Anything for the kids?

Yamaha Motor Corporation U.S. will offer a "Learn to Ride Demo" event featuring Yamaha's TT-R bikes in the Yamaha Marketplace.

Children under the age of 12 will have the opportunity to ride the TT-R 50 and TT-R 110 in a controlled environment with instruction and supervision. Experienced or a complete novice, it doesn't matter. By the way, children under 12 are admitted free (except to the grandstands and hospitality areas) with a paying adult.

Fireworks?

Sorry, other than the on-track fireworks among the riders, there will be no fireworks allowed at the track. That has been mandated by county officials because of the fire hazard that will exist with all the dry grass in the area.