Posted on 05/10/2016 10:18:25 AM PDT by gymbeau
Hi, Folks! Please forgive the vanity, but I'm doing a "bucket list-type" trip in a couple of weeks to the 100th running of the Indy 500 on May 29. Looking forward to it,obviously!
I'm hoping knowledgeable Freepers might have some advice re: weather (seems fine, usually, on TV), mosquitoes, places to go - people to do, etc. Indy museum is on the agenda, of course.
I guess sun block will be in order but I'm particularly worried about skeeters 'cause they seem to come from miles around to feast on my flesh. My wife loves it that they leave her alone...
Anyway, any advice would be much appreciated and thank you in advance. If any of you are coming to Calgary I'll be happy to return the service.
cheers, Jim
The ‘500 is on my bucket list, too, as is the Daytona 500.
Please let us know how you enjoyed the race when you get home.
Have a GREAT time!!!
Gordy was a real punk. Great driver but a real nasty sumbitch
I’ve been several times. Get seats across from the start/finish line if possible, under the overhang of the upper deck, the sun can blister concrete when it gets hot there. Go early and be prepared to stay late and sit in a lot of traffic. If you have a camper/rv - try getting a spot in the Coke factory parking area, and in that case go about Thursday and camp out a few days, lots of fun. Don’t be surprised if it rains a bit, but it usually clears up in time for the race. You don’t see too much so take some of those headphones with the radio receivers in them so you can hear some of the chatter between the driver and the pit guys.
Other drivers? Your whole business is based on other drivers.
Be sure you don’t waive the insurance.
I’ll stick with a short track (dirt) on a Saturday night. I’ve been to a bunch of Indy car races (never at Indy) and most of the NASCAR tracks east of the missisippi, and nothing beats Lebanon Valley on a Saturday night, or even better, a World of Outlaws show.
Find out what’s going on at IRP and go see some racing there.
" His most prized collection was the fastest qualifying car of 1935: the Gilmore Special Miller, which was the first car to break the 120 mph average lap speed barrier. This vehicle is a great example of the Miller-engineered racers that won at Indianapolis 12 times and dominated the 500 for decades...."
So many of the Miller cars were wonders in their day. You must have heard a ton about them.
Man, I’ve driven midgets, 3/4 midgets and sprint cars, but they all had roll cages. It was scary enough being i the open like that, I couldn’t imagine driving one of those in a race for 500 miles with just a leather skid hat on.
hd big screen (65”+), high end yamaha surround-sound system, lazy boy recliner, with a bucket of cold beers nearby ... crank that sound up and kick back .... it will far and away beat even the best seats in the house at indy
Sure as hell wasn’t a day at the office, was it.
“AJ Foyt”
I remember when he used to drive. One time he wasn’t happy with the pit crew, got out and helped then shoehorned himself back into the cockpit and continued the race.
Up in the attic used to be many of my granddad’s hand drawn sketches and blueprints for fuel injection systems dating from the late 20’s and 30’s. Some guy from the Miller Museum website offered me a ton of money for them, I went to go get them and they had all vanished. Very upset.
Nothing as exciting for my dollar than Sprint Cars throwing dirt - whoooo boy!!!
What an all around loss. just dayum
It was the 1982 race I mentioned earlier which I was listening to. There was a feakish accident at the start which may have damaged Foyts suspension. He had a real chance to win the race but the car wasn’t right. Midway through the race after his 3rd or 4th pitstop he got out of the car, opened up the back cowling and used a large rubber Mallett and long screwdriver in an attempt to fix the problem. Never got back on the track.
3:30 mark. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g0mCI-HRljM
So much for my memory....
you were damn close...
Thanks. My only objection to drinking heavily will be having to find the biffy during the race. Probably won’t even have coffee that morning!
cheers
Jim
We’re staying at a Comfort Inn in the south, taking a shuttle day of race. Can’t get there before Saturday, alas, so will miss carb day.
Thanks,
Jim
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.