Nascar - first timer..
Discussion
If you get the chance pay a few extra bucks to get in the pits/paddock. I did it at Homestead and it made the whole day far more interesting. You will be suprised how open and friendly everyone involved is compared to high level UK motorsport. Not sure how it would sompare to Aussie racing which appears quite open from the TV coverage I see.
DO Arrive driving a 'forrin' car. Preferably something Japanese.
DO Wear a Union Jack T-shirt
DO Wear a NY baseball cap
DO make sure you drink bottles of fizzy mineral water rather than beer
Those useful tips, along with standing there looking embarrassed while they're saying the pledge of allegiance, will ensure you blend into the crowd with the minimum of fuss
I found the NASCAR crowd to be delightfully civilised and well mannered, particularly the husband and wife who shouted very loudly that "Jeff Gordon SUCKS !!". Every... Lap...
If you don't have one rent yourself a scanner. You can get them at the track preset to all the teams frequencies. It will allow you to see the race from a whole different point of view.
Smoke is always worth a listen, as is Happy Harvick who does a good line in biting sarcasm. And then there are the Busch brothers.....
Yeah roger that, I went a couple of years ago and regretted not renting the scanner! I think it was about $50 rental and they give you a list of frequencies too. You can rent the big ear defenders with speakers in them too. Take some good earplugs too but hopefully you already have if you're a motorsport regular. At Nascar it's not so much the volume but the duration of the volume that can do damage.
The one thing I would say about Merkin motorsport is that it's an all round package of entertainment - it's not just about the racing !
There's the driver introductions and parades, the whole build up to the race, the access the fans have to the pits and paddock, the info available on the scanners, the side-shows around the circuit, the merchandising, etc., etc.
I lived in the US for three years and went to NASCAR, dirt track oval racing, drag racing, IRL, historic race meetings, etc., and thoroughly enjoyed the overall experience of attending those events.
Have a great time !
We are there for that race and then heading to Kansas for the race the following week, I am trying to find out if there is a race on the dirt oval across the street from the Charlotte race as a few cup racers hang out there before the race. expect a real assualt on the senses as Humpy Wheeler really likes to make the race special and big up on the scanner very sound suggestion
enjoy!
Steve
enjoy!
Steve
zac510 said:
Oh and don't forget the tailgating. Took me a while to work out why they were endorsing such dangerous behaviour even on the entry ticket 
Oh yes I forgot do by all means "tailgate" although Bristol is the best for that! at the spring race it took 6 hours to get out of the car park!
If it's the same as Bristol, the 12oz cans of Bud were $5, the 24oz cans were $6. Most of the rednecks were drinking from 12oz cans because that's what fitted in their "Jnr" 'Cooler'.
As you're from Oz, If you try hard enough, you may be able to get the words of Waltzing Matilda to go with the Star Spangled Banner tune....
Enjoy!
As you're from Oz, If you try hard enough, you may be able to get the words of Waltzing Matilda to go with the Star Spangled Banner tune....
Enjoy!
Ah, Charlotte and the Best from the South East.
Awesome experience. But, be prepared to arrive around 1pm latest for the race, and enjoy the tailgating. If you arrive at 1, you will still be about a 20 minute walk from the stadium. Take beer and games with, maybe even a BBQ, although usually festive enough to bounce off other's coals.
Its all about the tailgate.
My review from two years ago if you interested: http://www.carforums.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=5&t...
Awesome experience. But, be prepared to arrive around 1pm latest for the race, and enjoy the tailgating. If you arrive at 1, you will still be about a 20 minute walk from the stadium. Take beer and games with, maybe even a BBQ, although usually festive enough to bounce off other's coals.
Its all about the tailgate.
My review from two years ago if you interested: http://www.carforums.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=5&t...
steve y said:
We are there for that race and then heading to Kansas for the race the following week, I am trying to find out if there is a race on the dirt oval across the street from the Charlotte race as a few cup racers hang out there before the race. expect a real assualt on the senses as Humpy Wheeler really likes to make the race special and big up on the scanner very sound suggestion
enjoy!
Steve
When the Charlotte fall race was on the Sunday, the world of outlaws raced on the dirt oval on the Saturday night. Seems this tradition has now gone since the race changed to Saturday. As has the chance for the most awsome weekend of racing I ever attended, Petit Le mans at Road Atlanta on Saturday and Charlotte Nascar on Sunday only a 4 hour drive between the two. Still not quite recovered from that one.enjoy!
Steve
Edited by eastlmark on Friday 14th September 19:31
Edited by eastlmark on Friday 14th September 19:31
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