Discussion
Im thinking of maybe going this year all being well,has anybody been to the event before? Ive heard tickets are really hard to get though is this true does anybody know?, any general information does/donts and places to see would be great. Also what is the best airport to fly into would it be Chicago? then drive down, any help appreciated thanks
We went waaaay back in '99. We flew into Atlanta with a connecting flight up to Indianapolis,we stayed at the Country Hearth hotel on West 38th St. (along with John Medlen and the Eric Medlen FC team and a load of Safety Safari folk).
We got a cab on a retainer to take us to the track and pick us up everyday, which was about a 7-10 minute ride. We reserved seats on the west side (strip runs right to left) for Friday thru Monday and paid a measly ten bucks to get in on the Thursday with Top Alcohol qualifying going on for the thick end of 3 hours non stop. As far as I recall there were over 50 in TAD and about 40 in TA/FC. Friday night rolled around and in the programme it said session one for pro qualifying would start at 19:00.. sure enough at 19:01 the first pair of Funny Cars fired up, Tommy Johnson Jnr and Ron Capps, Johnson ran 4.88 in the Joe Gibbs Racing, Interstate Batteries Firebird, right off the trailer for #1 qualifier and parked it 'til Monday, happy days ! I remember the event like it was last week,it was the most intense 5 days drag racing I've ever seen and couldn't belive it when the stands emptied when TAD, TA/FC and Pro Stock ran. Americans.. if it didn't make a nitro stink, they weren't interested... go figure.
We got a cab on a retainer to take us to the track and pick us up everyday, which was about a 7-10 minute ride. We reserved seats on the west side (strip runs right to left) for Friday thru Monday and paid a measly ten bucks to get in on the Thursday with Top Alcohol qualifying going on for the thick end of 3 hours non stop. As far as I recall there were over 50 in TAD and about 40 in TA/FC. Friday night rolled around and in the programme it said session one for pro qualifying would start at 19:00.. sure enough at 19:01 the first pair of Funny Cars fired up, Tommy Johnson Jnr and Ron Capps, Johnson ran 4.88 in the Joe Gibbs Racing, Interstate Batteries Firebird, right off the trailer for #1 qualifier and parked it 'til Monday, happy days ! I remember the event like it was last week,it was the most intense 5 days drag racing I've ever seen and couldn't belive it when the stands emptied when TAD, TA/FC and Pro Stock ran. Americans.. if it didn't make a nitro stink, they weren't interested... go figure.
I have been several times. Each time i have flown to New York and driven down. Its a great way to see the country. Get the tickets as soon as you can online and also book your hotel early. Even now you maybe to late to get a good hotel. As previously said it can be very hot and humid, so take the shorts and sun cream. I have been lucky enough to get down on the start line...it was an experience i can assure you.
NIRO LEWY said:
Thanks for the info guys. Ive emailed the NHRA to find out when tickets go on sale for the event, just waiting on a reply. What is it like trying to get in and out of the track?. Would you all say it is an event worth seeing?
We didn't have any dramas getting in or out because we didn't have the clat of trying to park a rental car, our cab dropped us off and was waiting at the gate to pick us up. It's a walk to get from the gate to the facility but it's not far. Is it an event worth seeing ??? There were more than 60 fuel cars there and 60 some odd in the alcohol classes when we went, it's mayhem but by Monday you get to feel a bit "raced out", it's a five dayer and the biggest drag race on the planet bar none !!Gassing Station | Drag Racing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff