Santa Pod spectating advice
Discussion
The car park last September on Sunday was unusually heavy because the Saturday was rained off, and so the crowds were extra large on Sunday.
But to add to the advice above I would add two things :
1) Make sure you schedule some time to walk around the pits. It's a fabulous experience and many people on the teams are very approachable and friendly and happy to talk about thier cars.
2) Although the crowds on the banking tend to crowd up near the start line, don't be afraid to pitch your seat down and the finish line. For one thing the crowds at that end are much lighter, but you'd be surprised how much easier it is to watch the racing, and because they're always coming towards you is easier to watch. This is also a good tip if you are photographing the cars - it's a great spot.
3) Leaving just before the TF final is a really good way to avoid the crowds leaving the event.
But to add to the advice above I would add two things :
1) Make sure you schedule some time to walk around the pits. It's a fabulous experience and many people on the teams are very approachable and friendly and happy to talk about thier cars.
2) Although the crowds on the banking tend to crowd up near the start line, don't be afraid to pitch your seat down and the finish line. For one thing the crowds at that end are much lighter, but you'd be surprised how much easier it is to watch the racing, and because they're always coming towards you is easier to watch. This is also a good tip if you are photographing the cars - it's a great spot.
3) Leaving just before the TF final is a really good way to avoid the crowds leaving the event.
No problems at all with parking today (never had any to be fair). Usually end up parking on the grass, but today for some reason there were absolutely no queues at all to get in (usually backs up for a few miles - for the 1st time ever I just drove straight in) and I also got to park in a proper hard-surface car park (again for the 1st time).
I liked it not being as busy as usual. And weather was perfect. Sights, sounds and smells as good as ever!
I liked it not being as busy as usual. And weather was perfect. Sights, sounds and smells as good as ever!
bungle said:
No problems at all with parking today (never had any to be fair). Usually end up parking on the grass, but today for some reason there were absolutely no queues at all to get in (usually backs up for a few miles - for the 1st time ever I just drove straight in) and I also got to park in a proper hard-surface car park (again for the 1st time).
I liked it not being as busy as usual. And weather was perfect. Sights, sounds and smells as good as ever!
Nat Finals is always one of my fave meets, but I got up Saturday to rain so decided to give it a swerve this year - whoops ! I liked it not being as busy as usual. And weather was perfect. Sights, sounds and smells as good as ever!
It didnt look very busy at all on the banking, which is a shame from SPR's pov....
The Summer Nationals and National Finals are both smaller-scale events that don't attract FIA-sized crowds, which is a pity since both can produce some excellent action (as witness this past weekend).
There are no (advertised) nitro classes, of course, which certainly pull in the spectators, and none of the off-track entertainments which help draw the family audience too. Instead, just pure, top-quality racing from the Sportsman car and bike classes, plus terrific stuff from the MSA Pro Mods -- plus, this weekend, nitro action from two Nostalgia Funnies and a pair of licensing and testing Top Fuelers. And lovely weather too, for a change.
There are no (advertised) nitro classes, of course, which certainly pull in the spectators, and none of the off-track entertainments which help draw the family audience too. Instead, just pure, top-quality racing from the Sportsman car and bike classes, plus terrific stuff from the MSA Pro Mods -- plus, this weekend, nitro action from two Nostalgia Funnies and a pair of licensing and testing Top Fuelers. And lovely weather too, for a change.
Sadly I have now experienced a coiple of people who ahve mad miserable parking deals at SP.
A friend of mine went to the winter special last year and it took her hours to get out, and there was also a car rage situation ot deal with as a result.
It shoudn't be that hard to sort out, there is only one exit and that road is long and very little comin the other way. but these events attract crowds in the tens of thousands and that amoutn going through one gate is never going to be easy.
I would not go to the bigger events there on finals day, only on a Friday, you see more cars as the ladders have not usually started and the crowds are smaller.
SP sadly do know this and charge about the same for each day, ther EURO event are very overpriced in my opinion.
I would do dragstalgia, best thing they do there all year
A friend of mine went to the winter special last year and it took her hours to get out, and there was also a car rage situation ot deal with as a result.
It shoudn't be that hard to sort out, there is only one exit and that road is long and very little comin the other way. but these events attract crowds in the tens of thousands and that amoutn going through one gate is never going to be easy.
I would not go to the bigger events there on finals day, only on a Friday, you see more cars as the ladders have not usually started and the crowds are smaller.
SP sadly do know this and charge about the same for each day, ther EURO event are very overpriced in my opinion.
I would do dragstalgia, best thing they do there all year
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