any suggestions for my first 500

[rustycards]

Can anyone give me any suggestions for my first Indy 500? Dad and I are driving out on thursday the 22nd and staying through sunday. We have tix in the Tower Terrace and have carb day tix. I see tix on stubhub for the drivers meeting for $23. What is that like and is that something we should do on Saturday. Any suggestions for us for the weekend would be appreciated.

Thanks

[usgrandprix]

Check this out:

http://www.indy500.com/schedule/

Most notably are the Carb Day practice, Indy Lights race, and concert on Friday.

The drivers meeting is Saturday. Admission is free, so I'm not sure what they are charging for on Stub Hub. Maybe they are including parade tickets?

There's a parade on Saturday that's nothing extraordinary, but does have all the drivers.

Bring ear plugs and a radio. Tune it to 1070 AM all race day. Check out Donald Davidson's show in the evenings. If you want to warm up for Indy you can catch it evenings on the web throughout May.

Your seats are cool, you'll see some pit action, setups for passes going into turn 1, the s/f line, and some cool opening festivities...but don't be surprised how little of the track you'll see. You should have a big monitor, though.

If the bus is an option from where you are staying, I recommend it, even thouh it's pricey race day.

Enjoy and pray for no rain.

[ChampUSfan]

Can anyone give me any suggestions for my first Indy 500? Dad and I are driving out on thursday the 22nd and staying through sunday. We have tix in the Tower Terrace and have carb day tix. I see tix on stubhub for the drivers meeting for $23. What is that like and is that something we should do on Saturday. Any suggestions for us for the weekend would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Rusty,

This 500 will also be my first, I just cannot wait.

[MAX_THRUST]

Take BEER!!!!!

[BoilerIMS]

Take BEER!!!!!

and sunscreen, frozen water bottles to a) keep the beer cold and b) rehydrate yourself after drinking said beer. Leave any sense of shame at home. Let me also reiterate that if (no, WHEN) you take beer, that increases the need for sunscreen.

I've been to all of the different race types at Indy, sat in great paddock seats (NASCAR - race good, fans obscene), perfect start/finish seats (F1, on two occasions) and el-cheapo inside turn one seats (the 500). After all of it, I have to say the most fun I've had is going "Indiana Redneck Style" with cheap seats, a cooler of beer, locals friends, and an "all day" attitude. We show up at the track early in the morning, obviously stay through the whole operation, and don't worry about leaving right away. You can avoid traffic and continue to enjoy the atmosphere.

[pvtjoker]

Just sit back and soak in the enviroment, the people, the sounds of the cars and of course, the race. It truely is a "spectacle" like no other in racing.

[teamsuperimu]

Arrive early on race day to take in the spectacle inside and out of the track. You gotta go the museum. There are so many historic race cars there.

[garyshell]

Geeze guys, what are you all thinking? You have neglected to tell these fine folks about the single most important part of viewing any oval race (hell ANY type of track for that matter). Go down to a fence line that will get you as close to the track as you can legally get. Do this during the start of the race or a full course yellow restart. Take in the unbelievable exhilaration as the pack of cars sweeps past you at close range. If that doesn't trip your trigger, check to see if you have a pulse.

Not sure where that point is anymore at Indy. I do remember at Michigan years ago doing this and feeling the suction of air as the pack passed us. We had to feign going to get a drink and timing it just right, lest the "hall monitors"/security folks hurried us along and not let us linger at the fence line.

Gary

[weeflyonthewall]

Just sit back and soak in the enviroment, the people, the sounds of the cars and of course, the race. It truely is a "spectacle" like no other in racing.


Can you really put Indy above Monaco or Long Beach? Each brings its own version of spectacle. I'm not sure I'd put Daytona as the NASCAR "spectacle"of racing buts its close. Personally I prefer tintops at the Glen where they have to drive.

[garyshell]

Just sit back and soak in the enviroment, the people, the sounds of the cars and of course, the race. It truely is a "spectacle" like no other in racing.


Can you really put Indy above Monaco or Long Beach? Each brings its own version of spectacle. I'm not sure I'd put Daytona as the NASCAR "spectacle"of racing buts its close. Personally I prefer tintops at the Glen where they have to drive.

Weefly,

He didn't say "above all others", just "like no other". There is a real difference, my friend. ;)

Gary

[keysersoze]

1. Know exactly where the nearest restroom is.
2. Buy a scanner (or better yet, borrow one).
3. Go to the Lights race on Friday. You can walk right up to their garages after they're finished.
4. Last year they had an extensive memorabilia show at the south end, lots of older Indy cars. Lloyd Ruby was there.
5. If you want to get some racing in of your own, Saturday is a good day, since nothing is going on at the track. There's karting at Fast Times on the northside, or 50 miles to the east is New Castle Motorsports Park--one of the premier tracks in the karting world.

Enjoy. I've been to the last four Indys but will miss this year's.

[NY2IA]

1. We have driven, taken the bus and most recently, rode in taxis. I found the taxis will pick you up at your motel and take you directly to the track. They have a route that is blocked off just for buses and taxis. The buses are crowded and tiring, especially after the race. Taxi drivers are around town with their business cards/phone numbers on the days before the 500 looking to line up their rides.
2. We usually arrived early, 8am or so. It gives you lots of time to find seats, bathrooms and gift shopping. There are lots of places to buy t-shirts outside the track too, even after the race. I bet it will be more exciting this year, now that the two series are back together.
3. I agree with the sunscreen, radio, water and beer.
Have a great time!

[usgrandprix]

Yeah, but you've gotta love the bus/cattle experience!

Just to clarify about the bus, it's only a good option if your seats are near the turn one quadrant of the track (that's the only drop off) and even then you'll have to walk a few blocks.

Taxi sounds like a good tip too, though.

And one last thing, don't leave if it rains. It might take a few hours, but the people who stay behind are the fun ones anyway. Take a frisbee.