Daytona 24 hours 2014- can't find any ticket info...
Discussion
Hi all,
Does anyone know where I can buy tickets for the 2014 Rolex 24 hours at Daytona? Having been a Le Mans regular since 1991, myself and Mrs Pompeydave are taking the Daytona plunge for the first time next year. Trouble is we can't find even find it listed on the Daytona site, let alone any links to buy tickets.
Silly question, is the race on? If so, how do I buy tickets? Any newbie tips would also be appreciated. We're looking to drive in and stay in a hotel on race night rather than camp.
Cheers in advance...
Does anyone know where I can buy tickets for the 2014 Rolex 24 hours at Daytona? Having been a Le Mans regular since 1991, myself and Mrs Pompeydave are taking the Daytona plunge for the first time next year. Trouble is we can't find even find it listed on the Daytona site, let alone any links to buy tickets.
Silly question, is the race on? If so, how do I buy tickets? Any newbie tips would also be appreciated. We're looking to drive in and stay in a hotel on race night rather than camp.
Cheers in advance...
Ok, thanks, I'd found that link already, but it's very vague, with no info at all other than the date of the race. By contrast, theres always plenty of Le mans information on the net almost a year in advance of each race, but for Daytona there seems to be nothing. Unless there's no demand for pre-booking and everyone just rocks up on the weekend?
I went along this year, although i had reserved press passes we went to the ticket office to look around and there certainly was no trouble buying any. It's prepped for daytona where the turn out is massive in comparison to the 24.
I am looking to go out again, and would have no concerns just turning up and buying tickets.
I am looking to go out again, and would have no concerns just turning up and buying tickets.
Its a good few years since i went but we just rocked up and bought tickets on the door.
If you want a motorhome spot though you probably need to have booked 20 years ago.
Most of daytona doesnt even know its on !
Also if your on a budget ormond beach is a fair bit cheaper to stay at, or was
If you want a motorhome spot though you probably need to have booked 20 years ago.
Most of daytona doesnt even know its on !
Also if your on a budget ormond beach is a fair bit cheaper to stay at, or was
I go most years, as it's just up the road from where I live.
Absolutely no issue buying tickets on the gate - how much you spend is up to you - infield is around $50 - Tower Terrace about $150 for the entire weekend. Back stretch grandstands are not opened for this race.
Rolex 24 has become a lot more popular over the last 5 years or so, due to progressive development of the prototype spec car (still a turtle compared to WEC/ALMS) that now produces highly competitive racing. A pretty eclectic driver mix is now the norm too.
This year, the infield sold-out on Thurs afternoon - despite the "France Mafia" taking the piss with camping charges - even charging fans who put up a gazebo for fuggs sake.
Don't forget, it can get pretty cold at night in Late Jan/Early Feb and it often rains (to the point where they stop the race occasionally).
If you have some flexibility in your plans, I'd advise passing on the Rolex, waiting until March and coming over for the 12 Hours of Sebring instead - a much, much better race weekend - bigger crowd, very much a party atmosphere and a much fuller program - Rolex 24 is OK - Sebring is fantastic (though the ALMS/GrandAm merger might change this moving into the future....)
Absolutely no issue buying tickets on the gate - how much you spend is up to you - infield is around $50 - Tower Terrace about $150 for the entire weekend. Back stretch grandstands are not opened for this race.
Rolex 24 has become a lot more popular over the last 5 years or so, due to progressive development of the prototype spec car (still a turtle compared to WEC/ALMS) that now produces highly competitive racing. A pretty eclectic driver mix is now the norm too.
This year, the infield sold-out on Thurs afternoon - despite the "France Mafia" taking the piss with camping charges - even charging fans who put up a gazebo for fuggs sake.
Don't forget, it can get pretty cold at night in Late Jan/Early Feb and it often rains (to the point where they stop the race occasionally).
If you have some flexibility in your plans, I'd advise passing on the Rolex, waiting until March and coming over for the 12 Hours of Sebring instead - a much, much better race weekend - bigger crowd, very much a party atmosphere and a much fuller program - Rolex 24 is OK - Sebring is fantastic (though the ALMS/GrandAm merger might change this moving into the future....)
Day fagging I think. We'd be based in Davenport for a week but would have a night in a Daytona hotel for just the Saturday. Nothing special, just a cheapie somewhere-to-put-your-head for the night type place. Ideally, we'd only be away from the circuit for 6-8 hours.
Silly question, what time does the race start?
Silly question, what time does the race start?
3.30pm
http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Ticket...
Take care booking 'cheap' accommodation at Daytona Beach - and ask to see the room before agreeing to take it. Some of them are unspeakably horrendous.
Combination of Spring Break, Bike Week, Black College Reunion and Speed Weeks ensures plenty of spurious DNA to be discovered up the walls, across ceilings and of course - amongst the bedding as well.
Assuming you have a car, it may be wiser to head back west on I-4 toward Orange City or Deland for a cheap hotel.
http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Ticket...
Take care booking 'cheap' accommodation at Daytona Beach - and ask to see the room before agreeing to take it. Some of them are unspeakably horrendous.
Combination of Spring Break, Bike Week, Black College Reunion and Speed Weeks ensures plenty of spurious DNA to be discovered up the walls, across ceilings and of course - amongst the bedding as well.
Assuming you have a car, it may be wiser to head back west on I-4 toward Orange City or Deland for a cheap hotel.
Ok, thanks for the advice. We're going to be in a villa in Davenport, so we'll either go back there to crash for a few hours or head out of Daytona as you suggest to find a cheapie hotel somewhere.
Is there any radio commentary on site? Doesn't look as if RadioLeMans broadcast at the track. Would like to be able to keep up with what's going on if possible...
Is there any radio commentary on site? Doesn't look as if RadioLeMans broadcast at the track. Would like to be able to keep up with what's going on if possible...
Edited by Pompeydave on Tuesday 10th September 10:29
Having been to Le Mans for a number of years I've decided to try something different and head to Daytona for the Rolex 24 next year. I'd be interested to know:
- Any general tips/advice in addition to that above
- Which tickets to get (is pit access worth the extra?)
- How easily we can get a cab to/from the circuit
- Any general tips/advice in addition to that above
- Which tickets to get (is pit access worth the extra?)
- How easily we can get a cab to/from the circuit
theaxe said:
Having been to Le Mans for a number of years I've decided to try something different and head to Daytona for the Rolex 24 next year. I'd be interested to know:
- Any general tips/advice in addition to that above
- Which tickets to get (is pit access worth the extra?)
- How easily we can get a cab to/from the circuit
Rolex 24 has very little in common with Le Mans.- Any general tips/advice in addition to that above
- Which tickets to get (is pit access worth the extra?)
- How easily we can get a cab to/from the circuit
The Speedway is enormous, but the race is confined within, so you can access every part of the course, if you are prepared to hike a little, unlike Le Mans, where 80% of the course is officially inaccessible.
The gigantic seating areas around the tri-oval remain pretty much empty and the Super-stretch seating is not even opened for this race.
If you plan to camp at the track, arrive no later than Thurs afternoon - the infield was sold-out last year, by this time.
I've purchased/been given pit access in the past and it depends how into that aspect of the race you are, as to how 'worth it' they are. You get access to the garages and to the walkway behind the pit stalls, separated by a chain-link fence.
The race has become a LOT more competitive over that last 4-5 years, as the Daytona Prototype car has developed from an ugly, unreliable mess to a pretty decent and durable spec-racer. The merger of Grand Am and ALMS will make for an interesting grid in 2014.
DP testing was halted yesterday due to a couple of pretty scary crashes, which have been blamed on failure of the Continental spec-tire, which seems incapable of staying together with the higher speeds and greater downforce generated by the latest incarnation of the Prototype. This could be a big issue in the run-up to the race.
Getting a cab in and out of the Speedway is not an issue. Additionally you can leave the facility if you get weary of the garbage track-food. There are a number of popular chain restaurants adjacent to the facility along International Speedway Blvd. (Hooters gets quite busy for some reason).
It's very low-key and relaxed, compared to Le Mans or Sebring - don't expect much of an electric atmosphere - the place is way too big (and deserted) to deliver that.
Did I mention that it gets cold at night?
Come race's end, they kick you off the property pretty much immediately.
Anything specific you need to know - feel free to ask - if I don't know, I can find out.
Regarding hotels, we stayed at Acapulco which was actually not too bad. It was very quiet and clean although a little dated but the rates was reasonable and not too far away.
http://goo.gl/maps/8Lwfq
I'm going to try and go back out again if work allows as I really enjoyed the race, and (as a first timer in America) the whole area.
http://goo.gl/maps/8Lwfq
I'm going to try and go back out again if work allows as I really enjoyed the race, and (as a first timer in America) the whole area.
Matt Harper said:
Rolex 24 has very little in common with Le Mans....
Thanks Matt. That's very helpful, much appreciated. We're staying in Daytona beach so no camping. Good that we can get tickets at the gate. Apart from the pits is there anything else to not miss. Worth visiting the infield?
The race preamble is usually pretty cool. Most US sporting events have a little razzamatazz before kick-off and the Rolex is no different. It's close proximity to Patrick AFB usually means some form of military fly-over as the Star Spangled Banner ends and fans are allowed on the track and in the pit lane before the race starts.
Sitting up in the stands is a bit of a sterile and sometimes breezy experience. You get a great view of the field coming off turn 4 into the tri-oval and then braking really heavily for the left-hander into the road course. If there's going to be an 'off' it's most frequently at this spot, because it's also a good overtaking opportunity. Other than that, infield structures restrict some of the view, so in my experience you get to see a lot more from the infield.
It's easy to wander about as there are surfaced access roads everywhere and you can get good views of the back stretch from across Lake Lloyd - the body of water in the middle of the track, created when they dug out all the dirt to make the east and west banking.
You'll find all the usual carnie amusements and hucksters in the infield also - along with around 25000 vehicles/campsites. You are permitted to light fires at Daytona, something that is increasingly rare at US race facilities and US race fans tend to be pretty organized in terms of cooking, lounging and boozing accoutrements. There is copious hardstanding space for RV's if you are prepared to pay the premium for it and there is plenty of bleacher seating around the outside of the infield (road course).
I know I keep banging on about this, but the weather can be a little dodgy at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb. On several of my trips to the race, it has been temporarily stopped due to torrential rain and it can still get quite chilly during the night and early morning (sub- 40 degrees sometimes).
There is also a very heavy police presence both overt and covert - they're mainly looking to bust drink drivers, dope smokers and underage drinkers and those that supply them, so exercise good judgment in that regard, because there is zero tolerance of any of those activities.
Daytona USA NASCAR experience is part of the facility (an interactive museum and IMAX movie theater) if you need a distraction.
Sitting up in the stands is a bit of a sterile and sometimes breezy experience. You get a great view of the field coming off turn 4 into the tri-oval and then braking really heavily for the left-hander into the road course. If there's going to be an 'off' it's most frequently at this spot, because it's also a good overtaking opportunity. Other than that, infield structures restrict some of the view, so in my experience you get to see a lot more from the infield.
It's easy to wander about as there are surfaced access roads everywhere and you can get good views of the back stretch from across Lake Lloyd - the body of water in the middle of the track, created when they dug out all the dirt to make the east and west banking.
You'll find all the usual carnie amusements and hucksters in the infield also - along with around 25000 vehicles/campsites. You are permitted to light fires at Daytona, something that is increasingly rare at US race facilities and US race fans tend to be pretty organized in terms of cooking, lounging and boozing accoutrements. There is copious hardstanding space for RV's if you are prepared to pay the premium for it and there is plenty of bleacher seating around the outside of the infield (road course).
I know I keep banging on about this, but the weather can be a little dodgy at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb. On several of my trips to the race, it has been temporarily stopped due to torrential rain and it can still get quite chilly during the night and early morning (sub- 40 degrees sometimes).
There is also a very heavy police presence both overt and covert - they're mainly looking to bust drink drivers, dope smokers and underage drinkers and those that supply them, so exercise good judgment in that regard, because there is zero tolerance of any of those activities.
Daytona USA NASCAR experience is part of the facility (an interactive museum and IMAX movie theater) if you need a distraction.
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