Daytona 500

[BlueEyedBoy]

Hi all,

Has anyone done Daytona recently? I'm thinking of booking a trip in Feb 2020 and want to do it in style but not hospitality nonsense, nice RV in with the fans with copious amounts of gatorade

The US websites are the usual "built in the 80s" rubbish and wondered if anyone had done anything like this and could recommend any companies?

Looking for a Meet the Fockers style RV.

Cheers

[Matt Harper]

I live about 70 miles from Daytona International Speedway and I go to both Rolex 24 and the 500 most years.

Renting a large class A diesel pusher is not a cheap enterprise and most are privately owned and rented by consigners who tend to have very strict rules regarding driving of these vehicles - some do not allow the vehicle to be moved (they deliver it to the speedway and collect it afterwards).

There are also parking restrictions for big motor coaches - i.e. they want you to park on the concrete hardstandings by Lake Lloyd and charge a LOT of money for those parking spaces - despite this, most will already be pre-sold from this year's race.

You might take a look at www.rvrentalsoforlando.com for a self-drive class A option, or www.rvshare.com for a coach delivered to the track.

Infield parking has sold-out for the last 3 years by Thanksgiving, so don't leave it too long...

Edited by Matt Harper on Tuesday 16th October 22:01

[BlueEyedBoy]

Thanks Matt,

What would you say is the best option then for the event?

I just want to make sure we get the most out of it. Sounds like the infield may be a little too corporate.

Would it make more sense to rent an rv and find a nice camping Park near by and gett ttickets in the stand near the start line?

Thanks

Edited by BlueEyedBoy on Wednesday 17th October 11:28

[DMN]

When I was there a few years back we where lucky to get rooms at the Hampton Inn right next door. Made life very easy.

[Old Merc]

There is always these guys.........https://www.motorsportstravel.co.uk/daytona-500/

[Matt Harper]

BlueEyedBoy said:

Thanks Matt,

What would you say is the best option then for the event?

I just want to make sure we get the most out of it. Sounds like the infield may be a little too corporate.

Would it make more sense to rent an rv and find a nice camping Park near by and gett ttickets in the stand near the start line?

Thanks

Edited by BlueEyedBoy on Wednesday 17th October 11:28

I think that provided you have the budget for it, your plan is reasonable - though it would give you more options if your RV was a little more modest than a bloody great big motor coach. Smaller, Class C RVs like these - www.roadbearrv.com - are much more suitable for the general infield parking/camping enclosures. General camping is the most un-corporate environment you could imagine. You will be considered exotic if you are in possession of a full set of teeth and are bereft of neck tattoos. In fairness, most NASCARednecks are friendly and generous.

Watching the race from the infield is far from ideal/pointless unless you are right on the fence to experience the shock-wave as the cars pass by, So you'll need seats in the main stands - the higher up, the better, if watching the race is important to you. The closer you are to the tri-oval (opposite pit lane), the more expensive those seats become.

It is a fantastic event to be a part of - let me know if you need specific info.

Finally, if I was going to attend just one US race event next spring, it wouldn't be the Daytona 500. The 12 Hours of Sebring, in March, is my recommendation for a 4 day party at the track, with a slightly less hillbilly (only slightly, mind) spectator-base.

[RC1807]

Matt's great local knowledge on all things Florida & motor racing there!

Matt Harper said:

... You will be considered exotic if you are in possession of a full set of teeth and are bereft of neck tattoos. In fairness, most NASCARednecks are friendly and generous. .....

....Finally, if I was going to attend just one US race event next spring, it wouldn't be the Daytona 500. The 12 Hours of Sebring, in March, is my recommendation for a 4 day party at the track, with a slightly less hillbilly (only slightly, mind) spectator-base....

^^^

I really wanted to be at Sebring this year as a Club Arnage groupie and mate of Wishy (from LM), and I was gutted I had to return home from my business trip earlier than I wanted.

Russell

[Matt Harper]

RC1807 said:

Matt's great local knowledge on all things Florida & motor racing there!

Matt Harper said:

... You will be considered exotic if you are in possession of a full set of teeth and are bereft of neck tattoos. In fairness, most NASCARednecks are friendly and generous. .....

....Finally, if I was going to attend just one US race event next spring, it wouldn't be the Daytona 500. The 12 Hours of Sebring, in March, is my recommendation for a 4 day party at the track, with a slightly less hillbilly (only slightly, mind) spectator-base....

^^^

I really wanted to be at Sebring this year as a Club Arnage groupie and mate of Wishy (from LM), and I was gutted I had to return home from my business trip earlier than I wanted.

Russell

Hello Russell - thanks for the props and sorry that you missed Sebring this year - I think the Club Arnage folks that made it (Wishy, Werner, Canada Phil et al) had a great time. There is a big UK contingent headed over for the 2019 event - any chance you can squeeze that in?

[RC1807]

Sadly not, Matt... looks like I won't be able to get to Tampa (for work) until the last week of March 2019


OP: enjoy your trip! Matt's advice is very useful, as I said before.

[FredericRobinson]

Sebring, it's brilliant, would love to be back next year but it's looking unlikely, really am going to have to get there for 2020.

[Matt Harper]

OP should consider Sebring - you can bring your 'Meet The Fockers' motor coach into the infield (Green Park) and party your balls off, with the races (WEC and IMSA in 2019) going on all around you.

I invariably end-up going to Daytona for Rolex 24, the 500 and the 400, Sebring, the Indy 500, US Nats and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta - Sebring is the best of that bunch (Indy 500 a close 2nd).