Visiting the states
Discussion
There really isn´t much to organise.
We booked the flights and hotels online and bought the racetickets from http://www.lvms.com/
We will be arriving the Sunday Before the race and will spend the week checking out Hoover dam and take a helicoptertour to Grand Canyon.
Pretty sure there will be a bit of gambling and a few beers by the pool as well
There is a shuttlebus service to the track that stops at a few of the Strips hotels. http://www.racedayshuttles.com/NHRA.html
We haven´t decided if we go with them or if we will rent a car!
We booked the flights and hotels online and bought the racetickets from http://www.lvms.com/
We will be arriving the Sunday Before the race and will spend the week checking out Hoover dam and take a helicoptertour to Grand Canyon.
Pretty sure there will be a bit of gambling and a few beers by the pool as well
There is a shuttlebus service to the track that stops at a few of the Strips hotels. http://www.racedayshuttles.com/NHRA.html
We haven´t decided if we go with them or if we will rent a car!
DWphil said:
Or Gainsville Florida , go early and do Garlits Musuem and Space centre.
Hi Phil,Good to see you and have a natter last Saturday, forgot you had said you had been out to the States. Have you done Gainsville + Vegas? Dad and I trying to get some plans together for next year.
Andy
RWJ said:
Or do Vegas next month.
Enjoy it so much.
Then do Gainesville in March.
I wont get away with going twice!Enjoy it so much.
Then do Gainesville in March.
Gonna have to do a pretty decent family holiday next year to go to Vegas without them as it is...
Personally I don't see going abroad to watch motor racing as a holiday...my other half doesn't agree!
I had a similar dilemma last year and decided to go to Vegas for the April race. Turned out to be a good choice, but the October race is bigger (and it includes Pro Mod!). For me, the criteria was that I had to be able to get to the track quickly and easily from the airport in order to make a weekend trip feasible. Many of the tracks on the NHRA schedule are actually a long way from the nearest international airport, and hence you'll be faced with a long drive after your flight.
The Vegas track is a great facility, easy to access, but not too far from the centre of town if you want to enjoy the rest of what Vegas has to offer. If you're not bothered about the gambling and bright lights, then pick a hotel in North Las Vegas which will be cheaper and nearer LVMS. I've stayed at the Aliante Station a couple of times, which is pretty good and only about 15 mins drive from the track. However, you may find it's already getting booked up for the race weekend.
I also considered Gainesville, but when I looked at the stats I found that the race had been rain-delayed for three out of the last four years - not good if you're on a tight schedule with non-flexible flights.
I'm looking to go to an NHRA race again next year, and am currently considering the Phoenix race in February. Anyone tried that one? Seems easy to get to, and good weather is pretty much guaranteed... I think!
Off topic slightly, but does anyone know if Pro Mod will be included in the NHRA schedule at all next year? I believe they lose the current sponsorship deal at the end of 2013.
The Vegas track is a great facility, easy to access, but not too far from the centre of town if you want to enjoy the rest of what Vegas has to offer. If you're not bothered about the gambling and bright lights, then pick a hotel in North Las Vegas which will be cheaper and nearer LVMS. I've stayed at the Aliante Station a couple of times, which is pretty good and only about 15 mins drive from the track. However, you may find it's already getting booked up for the race weekend.
I also considered Gainesville, but when I looked at the stats I found that the race had been rain-delayed for three out of the last four years - not good if you're on a tight schedule with non-flexible flights.
I'm looking to go to an NHRA race again next year, and am currently considering the Phoenix race in February. Anyone tried that one? Seems easy to get to, and good weather is pretty much guaranteed... I think!
Off topic slightly, but does anyone know if Pro Mod will be included in the NHRA schedule at all next year? I believe they lose the current sponsorship deal at the end of 2013.
I'm certainly open to correction here but I was under the impression the NHRA Pro Mod series will run again next year. The original Get Screened America contract kicked off in 2010 and was intended to run five years (I do believe). Anyway, no doubt we'll find out for sure before too long, e.g. by March (!).
I agree with Black-C5 above. The October Vegas race is about the most reliable weather-wise -- usually hot, sunny. Plus it usually coincides with Halloween, so fairly colourful. Plus there's always the free air show (end of the runway at Nellis Air Force Base). Very nice to stay in one of the many, many hotels on the Strip, but many, many other lodging locations around too, and don't forget the likes of Motel 6, Econo Lodge, etc. It's a case of trawling around till you find something that suits. Downtown hotels are fine too (i.e. area north of the Strip) but immediately adjacent areas a bit dodgy from what I've seen.
Don't know how long Andy Baker plans to stay but a shame not to see something of the surrounding hinterland, even if you only have one spare day. Some spectacular desert drives. You might not make it as far as the Grand Canyon, but I drove the road along the north-east side of Lake Mead and up through the Valley of Fire before a (late) breakfast one morning. Also Hoover Dam, of course. If you have time and want a cheaper flight, fly into LA and drive across the desert to Las Vegas the following day, back again after the race. That's assuming you plan to rent a car. If not, and flying direct to Las Vegas, I'm sure there are taxis and such, plus the bus service to and from the track (which is about 18 miles north of the central Strip, so not walking distance). I've always rented a car so can't say otherwise for sure.
I agree with Black-C5 above. The October Vegas race is about the most reliable weather-wise -- usually hot, sunny. Plus it usually coincides with Halloween, so fairly colourful. Plus there's always the free air show (end of the runway at Nellis Air Force Base). Very nice to stay in one of the many, many hotels on the Strip, but many, many other lodging locations around too, and don't forget the likes of Motel 6, Econo Lodge, etc. It's a case of trawling around till you find something that suits. Downtown hotels are fine too (i.e. area north of the Strip) but immediately adjacent areas a bit dodgy from what I've seen.
Don't know how long Andy Baker plans to stay but a shame not to see something of the surrounding hinterland, even if you only have one spare day. Some spectacular desert drives. You might not make it as far as the Grand Canyon, but I drove the road along the north-east side of Lake Mead and up through the Valley of Fire before a (late) breakfast one morning. Also Hoover Dam, of course. If you have time and want a cheaper flight, fly into LA and drive across the desert to Las Vegas the following day, back again after the race. That's assuming you plan to rent a car. If not, and flying direct to Las Vegas, I'm sure there are taxis and such, plus the bus service to and from the track (which is about 18 miles north of the central Strip, so not walking distance). I've always rented a car so can't say otherwise for sure.
Also, if you are interested, there is the Shelby plant on Speedway Boulevard, among the industrial buildings on your right between the freeway turnoff and the track. It is moving to central Las Vegas at the end of November but they still seem to be doing free weekday tours till around then. Anyway, check here:
http://www.shelbyamerican.com/Tours.asp
Plus, cross the road from the dragstrip and take a look inside the Speedway. There are usually gates open and quite often cars on the track -- Petty and Andretti Driving Schools and such. Mind you, five years since I was last there, so things could change.
And now you'll tell us that you're going to Gainesville instead.
http://www.shelbyamerican.com/Tours.asp
Plus, cross the road from the dragstrip and take a look inside the Speedway. There are usually gates open and quite often cars on the track -- Petty and Andretti Driving Schools and such. Mind you, five years since I was last there, so things could change.
And now you'll tell us that you're going to Gainesville instead.
Annual leave from work booked.
I have from Sat 25th October to Thurs 6th November free, should give us plenty of time to get out there, see the sights and spend lots of time at the track.
Want to stay on the strip, any hotel recommendations? Do they all have casinos?
Also LVMS were advertising several ticket options for this years race, including a premium one that included food, driver questions and upgraded seating, has anyone ever bought this? Figure if we are going out there, we may as well do it all
I have from Sat 25th October to Thurs 6th November free, should give us plenty of time to get out there, see the sights and spend lots of time at the track.
Want to stay on the strip, any hotel recommendations? Do they all have casinos?
Also LVMS were advertising several ticket options for this years race, including a premium one that included food, driver questions and upgraded seating, has anyone ever bought this? Figure if we are going out there, we may as well do it all
We went to the Vegas Toyota Nationals & had a fantastic time. Baker1 I did get the Club Nitro package at $325 which gave us seats in the platinum section of the stands (high up and in the shade)
There is a large enclosed hospitality area near the start line where the food is served.Upon arrival you get a wristband & a meal and two drinks tickets.You also get breakfast on Sat & Sun.
They had driver appearances on fri & sat (Capps & Force)
The Club Nitro parking area is by Speedway Blvd near the NASCAR oval.
There is a large enclosed hospitality area near the start line where the food is served.Upon arrival you get a wristband & a meal and two drinks tickets.You also get breakfast on Sat & Sun.
They had driver appearances on fri & sat (Capps & Force)
The Club Nitro parking area is by Speedway Blvd near the NASCAR oval.
Baker1 yes we stayed on the strip at the Tropicana which is at the southern end.The track was easy to get to (about 17 miles along the I-15).We visited the NHRA Fanfest at Fremont Street on the thursday before the race & the Schumacer drivers were at the New York New York Hotel signing autographs together with Ron Capps funny car in the foyer.
On eliminations day you are allowed to watch the Pre-Race Ceremonies at the start line & after the race the trophy presentations.
On eliminations day you are allowed to watch the Pre-Race Ceremonies at the start line & after the race the trophy presentations.
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