| SLIG | 05-16-2002 03:26 PM |
Indy USGP Questions?
I'm thinking about going to the USGP at Indy this year and wondered what it is like from a spectator point of view. I've been to F1 at Watkins Glen, Long Beach (yeah, I'm old) and Phoenix, but never Indy. Is it worth the trip, notwithstanding last week's F1 Farce! ? Where is the best spectator area? Is General Admission a good bet to get all around the course or is that even possible? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.
| Al | 05-16-2002 03:40 PM |
Don't know about gen admiss on race day, but the two-day fri/sat pass is the deal of the century. Arrive early fri and stake out a good seat on the upper level across from the pits. It's great fun watching the crews work in the garages (bring binoculars). Earplugs are NOT optional, but you probably already knew that. Anyway, after watching the garage action, head for turn 1 and watch some heavy braking. Now walk to the tunnel at the west corner of the track and make your way to the infield. There is a viewing mound where you can watch them hammer through the infield and then accelerate hard toward turn eight. Now head for the bridge just before turn eight. Cross the track and head for turn 10. Turn ten is a slow bend and you can get really close to the cars. The viewing mound by turn 7 is the coolest place to watch qualifying. The resonance as the teams try to tow each other and the sounds of the shifts as they head for turn eight is the most amazing sound I've ever heard. Raceday if you are'nt picky you can buy a ticket for $10 on the street just before the start. If you buy a ticket for raceday, get one up high in A or B. Oh one other thing, the food at the track sucks, eat a lot before you go and bring something to eat. Here is a track map.[url]http://www.usgpindy.com/tickets/images/usgpmap.jpg[/url]
I'm old too, I grew up on CanAm at Road America. Have fun!
I'm old too, I grew up on CanAm at Road America. Have fun!
| grandpa rex | 05-16-2002 03:49 PM |
I'll second Al above.
On raceday in 2000, I sat in the Southwest Vista, up high. good view of the second half of the infield, full acceleration onto the oval. Plus there's a big screen right in front of the stands to see the rest.
I would also like to sit at the end of the straight, just as the cars turn into the infield. Watched qualifying from there and it was amazing. I think this is a tougher ticket that SW Vista to find.
Scalping is legal in Indy, if I were to go again, I would do as Al says and get the Fri Sat GM pass, and then shop the scalpers on Saturday to find just the seats that I wanted.
I didn't think that the food was that bad. Plus, outside on the west side of the track, there are dozens of vendors with a pretty wide variety.
Hotel rooms are the toughest. Start now.
On raceday in 2000, I sat in the Southwest Vista, up high. good view of the second half of the infield, full acceleration onto the oval. Plus there's a big screen right in front of the stands to see the rest.
I would also like to sit at the end of the straight, just as the cars turn into the infield. Watched qualifying from there and it was amazing. I think this is a tougher ticket that SW Vista to find.
Scalping is legal in Indy, if I were to go again, I would do as Al says and get the Fri Sat GM pass, and then shop the scalpers on Saturday to find just the seats that I wanted.
I didn't think that the food was that bad. Plus, outside on the west side of the track, there are dozens of vendors with a pretty wide variety.
Hotel rooms are the toughest. Start now.
| wrxinfx | 05-16-2002 04:02 PM |
I'll third above. Walking around the track on friday and saturday is great - watching the pits from the grandstands was awesome!! I doubt there is a circuit on the series that lets you have so much track access (Canada I know 1st hand doesn't). I went to the F1 2000 race and had seats in the SE Vista. It was okay for track viewing, but we had a great view of the big screen which is KEY for f1 viewing. Any race is fun to watch if you can see the big screen - it makes bad seats good.
Overall, Indy is a great value. Watching the premier racing teams in one of the most famous sporting venues in the world for less than $100 is worth it.
The only downside is that the surrounding area has little to offer and housing is difficult.
Overall, Indy is a great value. Watching the premier racing teams in one of the most famous sporting venues in the world for less than $100 is worth it.
The only downside is that the surrounding area has little to offer and housing is difficult.
| gtguy | 05-16-2002 04:16 PM |
Two things: The press room is the WORST place to see the F1 race at Indy! :lol:
And I don't know where the hell you're going to stay. Hotel rooms are priced insanely.
A general admission pass is fine. Enter, cut through the tunnel, and hang out on the grassy knoll if you want. There's great viewing to be had there.
As far as grub goes, I'm spoiled by the Road America concession stands. Speaking of, there's a great concession stand up by turn 5, that advertises (for breakfast):
Omelet with pot and muff.
Now, indeed we all know that this means potatoes and muffin, but in the testosterone-soaked environs of Road America, you can imagine the hilarity to be had from that menu item. :lol:
Kevin
And I don't know where the hell you're going to stay. Hotel rooms are priced insanely.
A general admission pass is fine. Enter, cut through the tunnel, and hang out on the grassy knoll if you want. There's great viewing to be had there.
As far as grub goes, I'm spoiled by the Road America concession stands. Speaking of, there's a great concession stand up by turn 5, that advertises (for breakfast):
Omelet with pot and muff.
Now, indeed we all know that this means potatoes and muffin, but in the testosterone-soaked environs of Road America, you can imagine the hilarity to be had from that menu item. :lol:
Kevin
| Al | 05-16-2002 04:36 PM |
Ya, a room might be a problem. In 2000 everything was booked for over 70 miles in every direction months before the race.
| wrxinfx | 05-16-2002 04:39 PM |
it seemed to me that the Indy area might be pretty RV-friendly - you might want to look into that as an option.
| tifosi77 | 05-16-2002 09:20 PM |
I would tell you that despite the price and deal of Indy you would be better served to go to Montreal if you want to see a gp race. I went to both of the GP races at Indy and it is very dissapointing there really isn't whole lot of stuff going on in Indy. Montreal is a lot more fun, the city is very alive during a GP weekend and there is a ton of things to do. Shwartz's Deli is a definite must, the river is beautiful and hotel rooms are plentiful and reasonably priced. There is transport on the metro and the tickets are very easy to obtain and you can get some good deals. While Indy is not a bad experience I just think that Montreal is a better overall experience. If you are going to Indy you will find that Rooms are very hard to come by and there isn't the wealth of different eating experiences. Indy is not a bad experience but if you are going to a GP then Montreal is the better overall experience.
| Brett555 | 05-16-2002 09:52 PM |
I went to the first USGP at Indy and it was awesome. I'd been to CART races before, but F1 was way cooler. I'm sure alot of it was knowing I was watching the best drivers in the world, but there definitely is a mystique about it.
For qualifying we sat in the upper deck just across from the Ferrari garage which was the turn just before the front straight. That was a great spot - nice breeze blowing in, good views, and tons of people wearing red wigs (crazy Ferrari fans). We also walked around quite a bit that day just to get some more views..and check out the F1 babes.
On race day we were at the end of the front straight. Pretty good seats, but you couldnt really see alot and we were down low enough where it was tough to see the cars going buy - you could hear them though!!
Oh yea, not sure if they fixed it for the 2nd year, but I had to wait in line FOREVER for food and beer. I almost missed the start of the race trying to buy a couple Fosters.
You'll love it if you go!!
PS - take ear plugs!
-----------------------------------
Brett at [url]www.soloracer.com[/url]
For qualifying we sat in the upper deck just across from the Ferrari garage which was the turn just before the front straight. That was a great spot - nice breeze blowing in, good views, and tons of people wearing red wigs (crazy Ferrari fans). We also walked around quite a bit that day just to get some more views..and check out the F1 babes.
On race day we were at the end of the front straight. Pretty good seats, but you couldnt really see alot and we were down low enough where it was tough to see the cars going buy - you could hear them though!!
Oh yea, not sure if they fixed it for the 2nd year, but I had to wait in line FOREVER for food and beer. I almost missed the start of the race trying to buy a couple Fosters.
You'll love it if you go!!
PS - take ear plugs!
-----------------------------------
Brett at [url]www.soloracer.com[/url]
| SLIG | 05-17-2002 01:49 AM |
Thanks for all the good input. It's just the kind of info I was hoping to find. One other question...Traffic...into and out. I've been to several NASCAR races with 2 hr drives from Motels within 10 miles. Is traffic a big deal at Indy? I'm used to LA traffic, but most race day traffic I've seen beats the worst day in LA. Thanks again though. I feel better already from what I've heard. Like I said, I'm old, not a big night lifer. A decent Motel with Speedvision works for me as far as night life goes.
| wrxinfx | 05-17-2002 06:30 AM |
go early - like arrive at the track when it opens (8:30ish?) and stay late. Then traffic's not a problem.:)
| GQ | 05-17-2002 09:52 AM |
Actually, for race day, I found it is best to park about a mile away and walk in. Much quicker. Also, I have been to Long Beach and Indy F-1 is much better. The Porsche Cup and Ferrari Challenge also add to the event. Hope ya enjoy...Rob
| Al | 05-17-2002 09:56 AM |
When driving to the track, approach from the southwest on 465, go past the Georgetown Road exit and take the next exit east. Then you're on a small road that the track workers and press guys take to the track. You'll get to a large lot quickly. Avoiding Georgetown road can save you hours.
| MulletSlayer | 05-17-2002 10:07 AM |
Traffic isn't that bad. I have been to qualifing at Indy some years were its been worse.
As far as seats go, I would get seats any where from the section H to the North vista (but no farther east then the back straight). For both USGPs (and this years) we have had tickets in the North Vista that were exactly in line with the back straight. The seats were great! You could see the all important first corner plus 6 other corners and down the back straight and at the start when the come screaming through Turn 4 its the best sound in the world.
As far as seats go, I would get seats any where from the section H to the North vista (but no farther east then the back straight). For both USGPs (and this years) we have had tickets in the North Vista that were exactly in line with the back straight. The seats were great! You could see the all important first corner plus 6 other corners and down the back straight and at the start when the come screaming through Turn 4 its the best sound in the world.
| tifosi77 | 05-17-2002 10:25 AM |
Mulletslayer you are 100% correct North Vista is the best section to see overtaking and the scalpers were selling these tickets for face value on race day.
| grandpa rex | 05-17-2002 10:28 AM |
Another trafic suggestion: We approached the track on race day from the East on 16th street. There are businesses, private homes, restaurants and bars that are selling parking spaces all along there. We parked no more than 1/2 mile from the SE entrance. We sat in the SE Vista (in my earlier post I said SW vista - sorry - old man), and when the race was over, walked to our car and were on the interstate within 20 minutes via 16th street. Piece of cake.
I'll add my comments regarding Montreal as I've been there 9 of the past 10 years. Beautiful city, nice people, lots to do off the track, fabulous restaurants, beautiful people. However, one of the frustrations is that your ability to walk the track and see action from various perspectives is seriously limited. As Al said, at Indy, especially on Friday and Saturday, you can walk around and see action from virtually anywhere. I found that a real treat.
The biggest problem that I see with Indy is hotels. Last year your typical budget hotel that charges $47 per nite was $200+ per nite with a 4 nite minimum on race weekend. It was easier the first year. My theory is that the locals there saw the Euro money that follows F1 and decided to cash in with those coming over for the race with outrageous rates. I cancelled my plans to go last year even before 9/11, but I feel that if you wait until about 3-4 weeks before the race, you'll find that some of the rooms are freeing up at a much more reasonable rate. Just a theory, though
I'll add my comments regarding Montreal as I've been there 9 of the past 10 years. Beautiful city, nice people, lots to do off the track, fabulous restaurants, beautiful people. However, one of the frustrations is that your ability to walk the track and see action from various perspectives is seriously limited. As Al said, at Indy, especially on Friday and Saturday, you can walk around and see action from virtually anywhere. I found that a real treat.
The biggest problem that I see with Indy is hotels. Last year your typical budget hotel that charges $47 per nite was $200+ per nite with a 4 nite minimum on race weekend. It was easier the first year. My theory is that the locals there saw the Euro money that follows F1 and decided to cash in with those coming over for the race with outrageous rates. I cancelled my plans to go last year even before 9/11, but I feel that if you wait until about 3-4 weeks before the race, you'll find that some of the rooms are freeing up at a much more reasonable rate. Just a theory, though
| WRSport | 05-17-2002 12:42 PM |
"but I feel that if you wait until about 3-4 weeks before the race, you'll find that some of the rooms are freeing up at a much more reasonable rate. Just a theory, though"
I would not bank on that theory.
1) Park as stated above in the neighborhood where people are selling spots on there lawn/street. (Raceday) Practice and Qualifying we just parked at the other various lots.
2) Food is ridiclous. Frankly nasty. They have 1/20 of the vendors open that they use during Indy 500, *** is up with that. Almost the same amount of people.
3) For the price of hotel rooms I say if you have another person or two with you, get the RV, and setup in the lots for RV's just oustide the track. Then setup the BBQ and you have your own food service for race weekend.
4) Otherwise best bet is to go to Montreal and experience the full
package of the F1 experience. Indy's race facilty is awesome, track amenties are pretty bad.
I would not bank on that theory.
1) Park as stated above in the neighborhood where people are selling spots on there lawn/street. (Raceday) Practice and Qualifying we just parked at the other various lots.
2) Food is ridiclous. Frankly nasty. They have 1/20 of the vendors open that they use during Indy 500, *** is up with that. Almost the same amount of people.
3) For the price of hotel rooms I say if you have another person or two with you, get the RV, and setup in the lots for RV's just oustide the track. Then setup the BBQ and you have your own food service for race weekend.
4) Otherwise best bet is to go to Montreal and experience the full
package of the F1 experience. Indy's race facilty is awesome, track amenties are pretty bad.
| dbrier | 05-19-2002 04:13 PM |
Another idea would be to post in the Midwest forum about coming to the race. I have had some Chigago guys stay at my house before, and Streetman opened up his house to many people.
| OnTheGas | 05-21-2002 12:50 PM |
A Couple of Additional Comments...
My experiences mirror many of the above, walking the track on Friday and Saturday is a good experience.
Regarding buying your ticket there from street scalpers... this is a good idea. They are on the sidewalks around the track, and I'll disagree with the others, and recomend that you purchase earlier, Friday or Saturday AM. As an educated fan, you will want to shop through their ticket stock looking for whatever stands you feel is best.
Regarding location, I agree with Mulletslayer as far as the primary choice of locations being the north end, although a friend of mine swore that SE corner stands overlooking the end of the back straight, the mickey mouse 180s, and then the critical turn 11 which determines the launch speed onto the front straight are excellent. You'll walk the track on Friday, so you can make your own choice on that deal...
Point being that scalpers have better selection earlier in the weekend, so you may want to score on prime location tix then. You will be rubbing elbows with folks who may be as savvy as you are, and may scoop up the better tix by Sunday AM.
Regarding track ingress and egress, another option which worked well for us in 2000, is a shuttle service running from downtown to the track, which was reasonably priced, on-time, and worked very well. On Friday AM, I was downtown looking for the shuttle pick-up point, and I wondered into the lobby of one of the luxury hotels there, and noticed some posers in Benetton clothes (having seen guys like this at the Long Beach CART race). Then I noticed that their was smaller, young guy in the middle of them who looked familiar. It was GianCarlo Fisichella and some of his team-mates. Little did I realise that he was about to begin one of the worst weekends of his career, as Flavio publicly belittled him for being unprepared for the new circuit, and failing to perform well as a consequence! But he was happy, if nervous looking on Friday AM!
Enjoy!
Regarding buying your ticket there from street scalpers... this is a good idea. They are on the sidewalks around the track, and I'll disagree with the others, and recomend that you purchase earlier, Friday or Saturday AM. As an educated fan, you will want to shop through their ticket stock looking for whatever stands you feel is best.
Regarding location, I agree with Mulletslayer as far as the primary choice of locations being the north end, although a friend of mine swore that SE corner stands overlooking the end of the back straight, the mickey mouse 180s, and then the critical turn 11 which determines the launch speed onto the front straight are excellent. You'll walk the track on Friday, so you can make your own choice on that deal...
Point being that scalpers have better selection earlier in the weekend, so you may want to score on prime location tix then. You will be rubbing elbows with folks who may be as savvy as you are, and may scoop up the better tix by Sunday AM.
Regarding track ingress and egress, another option which worked well for us in 2000, is a shuttle service running from downtown to the track, which was reasonably priced, on-time, and worked very well. On Friday AM, I was downtown looking for the shuttle pick-up point, and I wondered into the lobby of one of the luxury hotels there, and noticed some posers in Benetton clothes (having seen guys like this at the Long Beach CART race). Then I noticed that their was smaller, young guy in the middle of them who looked familiar. It was GianCarlo Fisichella and some of his team-mates. Little did I realise that he was about to begin one of the worst weekends of his career, as Flavio publicly belittled him for being unprepared for the new circuit, and failing to perform well as a consequence! But he was happy, if nervous looking on Friday AM!
Enjoy!
| Streetman | 07-31-2002 05:44 AM |
Well, I dug up this old thread to find some serious fans, and it appears I have. All of this info is great, and I figured I'd add a little more. This is what I've set up so far for that weekend: [url]http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=223065[/url]
IF you're too lazy to click, that's about a Subaru car corral on Race day. Free parking inside the track. Of course, this will make getting out harder. So I would suggest everyone do this, so we have some cars to check out for an hour or so while traffic disperses.
And as far as nothing to do in Indy? We're the 12th largest city in the country! It's no longer Nap Town either. Even living in Indy, I have yet to experience a tenth of the new restaurants. And we've got three indoor karting tracks. How about the oldest bar (two live stages of Blues) in Indiana being right down town? How about the 5 story Circle Center mall, and Jillians, and all the other places you can walk to downtown? What were you looking for? Starbucks? We just got those last year. Topless bars? Straight north from the track to 38th ST, you've got two of the best in town.
OK, I'll step off. If anyone is concerned about tickets, don't be. There's still good seats for sale. I found two yesterday in the NE Vista, and even requested that they be on the isle. usgpindy.com is the official site. You can shop the scalpers too. They're not going to get squat. I'll post any free tickets I get as the event nears. Last year a friend of mine offered me 20 tickets the day before the race. Corporations don't get rid of theirs either. People in Indy simply don't go to this race. The track is doing a free "drive around" if you buy 4 tickets. They simply can't get rid of these.
And finally, the hotels. I know the North side doesn't go nuts on their prices. Also, we have more hotels since the first year. If anyone remembers, that year we also hosted Monday night football on Monday following the race. Not real good planning by the city. The Jaguars ended up staying in Muncie, over an hour from the stadium.
Look for places north of about 56th st on Meridian, Michigan, or Keystone. Safe neighborhoods, and all close enough to the track. Extended Stay America had the best deals last year, and had openings less than a month before the race. If you don't know these places, they've got no pool, workout center, or anything of the sort. But the rooms are clean, and have a full kitchenette to cook your own grub, if you're still bitchin' about that.
Oh yeah, the construction is mostly done, for now.
If you guys need anything more answered, fire away.
IF you're too lazy to click, that's about a Subaru car corral on Race day. Free parking inside the track. Of course, this will make getting out harder. So I would suggest everyone do this, so we have some cars to check out for an hour or so while traffic disperses.
And as far as nothing to do in Indy? We're the 12th largest city in the country! It's no longer Nap Town either. Even living in Indy, I have yet to experience a tenth of the new restaurants. And we've got three indoor karting tracks. How about the oldest bar (two live stages of Blues) in Indiana being right down town? How about the 5 story Circle Center mall, and Jillians, and all the other places you can walk to downtown? What were you looking for? Starbucks? We just got those last year. Topless bars? Straight north from the track to 38th ST, you've got two of the best in town.
OK, I'll step off. If anyone is concerned about tickets, don't be. There's still good seats for sale. I found two yesterday in the NE Vista, and even requested that they be on the isle. usgpindy.com is the official site. You can shop the scalpers too. They're not going to get squat. I'll post any free tickets I get as the event nears. Last year a friend of mine offered me 20 tickets the day before the race. Corporations don't get rid of theirs either. People in Indy simply don't go to this race. The track is doing a free "drive around" if you buy 4 tickets. They simply can't get rid of these.
And finally, the hotels. I know the North side doesn't go nuts on their prices. Also, we have more hotels since the first year. If anyone remembers, that year we also hosted Monday night football on Monday following the race. Not real good planning by the city. The Jaguars ended up staying in Muncie, over an hour from the stadium.
Look for places north of about 56th st on Meridian, Michigan, or Keystone. Safe neighborhoods, and all close enough to the track. Extended Stay America had the best deals last year, and had openings less than a month before the race. If you don't know these places, they've got no pool, workout center, or anything of the sort. But the rooms are clean, and have a full kitchenette to cook your own grub, if you're still bitchin' about that.
Oh yeah, the construction is mostly done, for now.
If you guys need anything more answered, fire away.
| dbrier | 07-31-2002 08:48 AM |
As stated above, contact me if you need a place to stay. I only live about 3 or 4 miles from the track.
| Leonardo | 07-31-2002 10:49 AM |
Hi guys!
Good to talk to you again!
I don't think I'll be going this year. Travel plans ar taken up:(
I'll plan for next year, maybee the championship will still be up for grabs next year.
Leo
Good to talk to you again!
I don't think I'll be going this year. Travel plans ar taken up:(
I'll plan for next year, maybee the championship will still be up for grabs next year.
Leo
| gtguy | 07-31-2002 11:04 AM |
Boy, am I the only one who watches the start, then walks around the course? I loved doing that last year, and will probably do the same thing again. A friend and I are going down (we're driving his new Cooper S!), and we might need a place to stay, if someone's offering...
Kevin
Kevin
| cd3575 | 07-31-2002 11:48 AM |
Gtguy,
When are you heading down there this year my friend and I are in the south and west suburbs of Chicago and pretty much do what you do watch the start and walk the infield (gen admin tickets) Would be cool to have a 3rd car with us. I drive my RS he drives his eclipse pretty fun especially indiana highways at like 4:00am.
When are you heading down there this year my friend and I are in the south and west suburbs of Chicago and pretty much do what you do watch the start and walk the infield (gen admin tickets) Would be cool to have a 3rd car with us. I drive my RS he drives his eclipse pretty fun especially indiana highways at like 4:00am.
| dbrier | 07-31-2002 07:53 PM |
Kevin, you and a guest are welcome to stay here for the weekend. I have one other couple that may be here as well. (fellow WRX owner and college buddy in Virginia) After the two extra bedrooms are full, it may be couches for anyone else.
I have a wedding on the 29th, but I'll bet we can work around that.
I have a wedding on the 29th, but I'll bet we can work around that.
| gtguy | 08-01-2002 12:14 PM |
dbrier, I will take you up on that, and PM you my phone number and stuff. That would be really cool of you, and much appreciated. We might wind up driving my WRX wagon down, just because of the dearth of storage space for gear in the Mini.
Kevin
Kevin
| Streetman | 08-01-2002 07:54 PM |
Drive the REX! Need to fill up the Subaru corral.
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