i was there last year- defied all expectations and I wanted to attend the 500 since i was a little kid (took me 44 years to get there!!)....as i type this I am listening to the radio broadcast of the 1982 race (tells you the type of fan i am)...
this years 500 is the 100th anniversary and is sold out (I’m having major leg surgery and I can’t go)...
1) try and attend Carb day on Friday or at least go to the track on Saturday and explore...
2) the Museum is a must...
3) get there REALLY early on Sunday- try and get there no later than 8AM. If you are driving the traffic will be insane...
where are you staying?? where are you sitting? when are you getting into Indy??
4) go to the IMS website and rent the headphones so you can listen to the teams radio broadcast and the IMS broadcast..
...every thing ‘ God luvs America’ says is true. I will be going for the 4th time. Here’s my amended list:
1. Raincoat
1b. Sunblock (Guess I should mention that. Myself being a descendant of African folk, I never use the stuff. But you may need it)
2. There’s a Speedway gas station near the track. Pretty cool place to hang out the night before (especially if you like bikes).
3. Georgetown Ave: back in the day, it was kind like Marti-Gras in New Orleans (oh yeah, beads and all). Don’t know if they’ve moved that or clamped down on it yet. (not a place for kids)
4. There is a noon parade in town somewhere. If you’re in the area, look that up.
5. If you’re gonna party hard, drink non-alcoholic stuff on race day. If it’s like 85+ at race time, the cars make it hotter. Don’t de-hydrate yourself.
6. Ear protection - a must. They sell headsets that give you race details in live time. worth the investment, IMHO.
7. During race time, if you’re near or at turns 1 or 3, always be aware of what’s coming at you. Yes, there’s a huge fence to prevent debris form hitting the audiance, but I’ve witness two wrecks that also sent high-speed material almost over that fence (no kidding - the crash happened just past turn 2, and I was at turn 3.
8. Most important: It should go without saying that those-who-shall-not-be-named would love to turn this American sporting event into an International news story (get my drift?). Thus, on the way in and during you’re time there, if you see something, say something.
And if you see (you-know-what) and you’re pretty sure of what’s about to go down, kill it before it kills us.
Oh and I’m staying near the Airport; sitting near turn #3, getting in Friday night.
just my $.02
jimjohn - OUT
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