So who's done Daytona 500?
Discussion
Daytona is my local track and I've attended the 500 9 times. No - it is nothing at all like Bike Week. Although the 500 is the supposed high-point of Speed Weeks, (which includes the Rolex 24 Hour race, AMA Daytona 200, Bike Week and the attendent Busch Series and Bud Shoot-Out races), it is not accompanied by anything other than a large influx of NASCAR fans, most of whom fly into the area, rather than drive to it.
As a one-day event, the Daytona 500 is pretty spectacular, but the run-up to race day is diluted by all the other stuff that's been going on during the preceeding weeks.
As a one-day event, the Daytona 500 is pretty spectacular, but the run-up to race day is diluted by all the other stuff that's been going on during the preceeding weeks.
I went two years ago. Whilst the atmosphere was OK, it wasn't anything like a good race meeting in the UK. It was, however, impeccably efficiently organised. Impressions weren't helped by the fact that the track started to lift on one of the corners, causing a ridiculously long delay in the racing. We left after around 2 1/2 hours, as did many thousands of others.
The track breaking up was a bit of a farce, it should of been resurfaced before they raced, but there wasn't enough time. Its since been totally resurfaced.
Since it was resurfaced its become a two car draft track, two cars will team up with one pushing the other. This works because the front car takes the wind resistance away from the car behind, who can therefore go faster, they swap around every few laps because without the airflow to the radiators the "pusher" gets hot.
Some fans hate the draft - saying it becomes a lottery who wins. NASCAR have made rule changes to stop it, the latest change hugely reduces radiator capacity.
There is a museum near the beach that would be worth a visit whilst you are there.
Since it was resurfaced its become a two car draft track, two cars will team up with one pushing the other. This works because the front car takes the wind resistance away from the car behind, who can therefore go faster, they swap around every few laps because without the airflow to the radiators the "pusher" gets hot.
Some fans hate the draft - saying it becomes a lottery who wins. NASCAR have made rule changes to stop it, the latest change hugely reduces radiator capacity.
There is a museum near the beach that would be worth a visit whilst you are there.
I was going to say look at doing the del mar nationals, but it may be a bit late. They have an earlier meeting in Scottsdale though http://www.good-guys.com/events/eventsList.aspx?ye...
Not too sure on Scottsdale but Del Mar is a big meet - a couple of thousand cars is normal and a fair proportion will be cruising around.
Not too sure on Scottsdale but Del Mar is a big meet - a couple of thousand cars is normal and a fair proportion will be cruising around.
Hi all,
Thought I would run with this thread rather than starting a new one...
Myself and up to 3 others are considering heading over to US to watch the Daytona 500, but we have absolutely no idea what tickets to book and where to stay etc. We think we will probably book a 'package' as it seems on first impressions the easiest approach but there are so many options it has all hot a bit confusing, not helped by the fact we have no idea what 'good tickets' are!, has anyone been to Daytona, done any package tours etc?
We are likely to be pretty relaxed on price, as appreciate this is likely to be a once in lifetime trip, just want to make sure we book the right thing rather than naively booking a rubbish one!!! I understand most say staying in Orlando is best although the long/traffic drive back looks like it could ruin a good day. To add a bit of colour, it is likely to be a pretty boozy day, so we don't want to be driving, equally thinking operating to a timetable might be a bit of a hindrance if we are catching a specific bus t a specific time.
If anyone has any hints/advice/experience, would appreciate your input.
Thanks in advance
ETA - we may well be too late for anything
Thought I would run with this thread rather than starting a new one...
Myself and up to 3 others are considering heading over to US to watch the Daytona 500, but we have absolutely no idea what tickets to book and where to stay etc. We think we will probably book a 'package' as it seems on first impressions the easiest approach but there are so many options it has all hot a bit confusing, not helped by the fact we have no idea what 'good tickets' are!, has anyone been to Daytona, done any package tours etc?
We are likely to be pretty relaxed on price, as appreciate this is likely to be a once in lifetime trip, just want to make sure we book the right thing rather than naively booking a rubbish one!!! I understand most say staying in Orlando is best although the long/traffic drive back looks like it could ruin a good day. To add a bit of colour, it is likely to be a pretty boozy day, so we don't want to be driving, equally thinking operating to a timetable might be a bit of a hindrance if we are catching a specific bus t a specific time.
If anyone has any hints/advice/experience, would appreciate your input.
Thanks in advance
ETA - we may well be too late for anything
rpgk said:
Hi all,
Thought I would run with this thread rather than starting a new one...
Myself and up to 3 others are considering heading over to US to watch the Daytona 500, but we have absolutely no idea what tickets to book and where to stay etc. We think we will probably book a 'package' as it seems on first impressions the easiest approach but there are so many options it has all hot a bit confusing, not helped by the fact we have no idea what 'good tickets' are!, has anyone been to Daytona, done any package tours etc?
We are likely to be pretty relaxed on price, as appreciate this is likely to be a once in lifetime trip, just want to make sure we book the right thing rather than naively booking a rubbish one!!! I understand most say staying in Orlando is best although the long/traffic drive back looks like it could ruin a good day. To add a bit of colour, it is likely to be a pretty boozy day, so we don't want to be driving, equally thinking operating to a timetable might be a bit of a hindrance if we are catching a specific bus t a specific time.
If anyone has any hints/advice/experience, would appreciate your input.
Thanks in advance
ETA - we may well be too late for anything
Not too late - the 500 doesn't sell-out anything like as fast as it used to.Thought I would run with this thread rather than starting a new one...
Myself and up to 3 others are considering heading over to US to watch the Daytona 500, but we have absolutely no idea what tickets to book and where to stay etc. We think we will probably book a 'package' as it seems on first impressions the easiest approach but there are so many options it has all hot a bit confusing, not helped by the fact we have no idea what 'good tickets' are!, has anyone been to Daytona, done any package tours etc?
We are likely to be pretty relaxed on price, as appreciate this is likely to be a once in lifetime trip, just want to make sure we book the right thing rather than naively booking a rubbish one!!! I understand most say staying in Orlando is best although the long/traffic drive back looks like it could ruin a good day. To add a bit of colour, it is likely to be a pretty boozy day, so we don't want to be driving, equally thinking operating to a timetable might be a bit of a hindrance if we are catching a specific bus t a specific time.
If anyone has any hints/advice/experience, would appreciate your input.
Thanks in advance
ETA - we may well be too late for anything
Firstly, I would advise you to forget an organized tour - unnecessarily expensive and potentially restrictive.
www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com
1-800 PITSHOP
The above for ticket availability, pricing etc.
Anecdotal advice - try to get as high up as possible for decent view of the tri-oval, pits and front stretch - too close to the debris fence and all you can see is car roofs flying past at 190mph.
You are VERY limited on what you are allowed to take up into the stands (a single small cooler for instance) - so if you are beer-monsters you might want to consider spending more time in the infield (where the party's at) - but the race views suck somewhat, unless you can get on the roof of your RV.
If money isn't an issue, you might consider renting an RV and reserving a hardstanding in the infield - but you need to act fast to do that - and it costs a lot (around $1000 + the vehicle rental) I have a very good contact for RV rental in Orlando, if you'd like details ( I use them for Sebring 12 hours each year).
Forget hotels in Daytona Beach - the only ones that will have availability during speed weeks will be horrendous flea-pits - so if an RV is not an option, stay in Orlando where you have gigantic choice and book a limo service to get you from your hotel to the track and back - that way you can be on the piss in transit too (added bonus) - and not have to fret about parking on race day, which can be a real pain.
I've done this event many times and live in central FL, so if you need any other tips, help, local knowledge, stay-out-of-jail advice etc., drop me a private message - always happy to help if I can.
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