NHRA Gainsville - March 2013
Discussion
Plenty of hotels in Gainesville, as it's a university town. But they tend to jack up the prices during Gatornationals week. Depends on your budget. I see Motel 6 still has availability at the cheaper end of the market. A number of places will already be booked up.
If you don't mind an hour or so's drive each way, it's worth looking towards Lake City to the north or Ocala to the south. Places in those areas still charge usual rates, as a rule. With American petrol still comparatively cheap, it can be an economical choice.
Also, they have much improved access up County Road from the south (Gainesville direction) in recent years -- in the past, raceday jams used to be pretty bad. However, access down from the north, via pleasant cross-country drive, never a problem.
Search the internet and check maps to see what you can find. If you've not been to NHRA before, it's well worth the trip.
If you don't mind an hour or so's drive each way, it's worth looking towards Lake City to the north or Ocala to the south. Places in those areas still charge usual rates, as a rule. With American petrol still comparatively cheap, it can be an economical choice.
Also, they have much improved access up County Road from the south (Gainesville direction) in recent years -- in the past, raceday jams used to be pretty bad. However, access down from the north, via pleasant cross-country drive, never a problem.
Search the internet and check maps to see what you can find. If you've not been to NHRA before, it's well worth the trip.
RWJ said:
Plenty of hotels in Gainesville, as it's a university town. But they tend to jack up the prices during Gatornationals week. Depends on your budget. I see Motel 6 still has availability at the cheaper end of the market. A number of places will already be booked up.
If you don't mind an hour or so's drive each way, it's worth looking towards Lake City to the north or Ocala to the south. Places in those areas still charge usual rates, as a rule. With American petrol still comparatively cheap, it can be an economical choice.
Also, they have much improved access up County Road from the south (Gainesville direction) in recent years -- in the past, raceday jams used to be pretty bad. However, access down from the north, via pleasant cross-country drive, never a problem.
Search the internet and check maps to see what you can find. If you've not been to NHRA before, it's well worth the trip.
Thanks for the heads up about booking, i had a feeling places would be hard to find nearer the raceweekend. I've been a few times now to both Vegas and Houston and love it (100x better than F1) what route do you suggest cross country and what is the best way in/gate/appraoch ???If you don't mind an hour or so's drive each way, it's worth looking towards Lake City to the north or Ocala to the south. Places in those areas still charge usual rates, as a rule. With American petrol still comparatively cheap, it can be an economical choice.
Also, they have much improved access up County Road from the south (Gainesville direction) in recent years -- in the past, raceday jams used to be pretty bad. However, access down from the north, via pleasant cross-country drive, never a problem.
Search the internet and check maps to see what you can find. If you've not been to NHRA before, it's well worth the trip.
Gainesville Raceway -- sorry, Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville -- is located north-east of the town on County Road. Find Gainesville Airport on a map and County Road runs due north from there. Address: 11211 North County Road 225, FL 32609.
http://www.autoplusraceway.com//
This is the route most people take. Years ago, the traffic could be very heavy but they've improved the road and I don't think it's much of an issue any more.
However, if you are heading southward on the I-75 from the Lake City area north of Gainesville and want to cut across country to approach the track from the northern end of County Road:
Exit I-75 at junction 399 (Alachua), on to Martin Luther King Blvd., 441. Head south-east.
Turn left on to 237, head due north again a little way.
Turn right on to NW 156th Ave, heading east several miles. Cross 121 and 231.
Arrive at a T-junction (or cross-road?). That's 225, County Road. Turn right and the track is a little way down.
I found this route useful 10, 20+ years ago but, as I say, coming from the south is less problem now. I shouldn't let this alone determine your choice of a place to stay. It's a pleasant country drive.
Try checking out the route on an internet map. Enjoy the trip.
http://www.autoplusraceway.com//
This is the route most people take. Years ago, the traffic could be very heavy but they've improved the road and I don't think it's much of an issue any more.
However, if you are heading southward on the I-75 from the Lake City area north of Gainesville and want to cut across country to approach the track from the northern end of County Road:
Exit I-75 at junction 399 (Alachua), on to Martin Luther King Blvd., 441. Head south-east.
Turn left on to 237, head due north again a little way.
Turn right on to NW 156th Ave, heading east several miles. Cross 121 and 231.
Arrive at a T-junction (or cross-road?). That's 225, County Road. Turn right and the track is a little way down.
I found this route useful 10, 20+ years ago but, as I say, coming from the south is less problem now. I shouldn't let this alone determine your choice of a place to stay. It's a pleasant country drive.
Try checking out the route on an internet map. Enjoy the trip.
Edited by RWJ on Wednesday 19th December 00:09
I went there in 2008 and stayed at the Marriot Courtyard just off the 75 junction 384 I think. there are lots of similat hotels/motels near that, almost all are the standard US format which involves a big air conditioned room, outdoor pool, but no bar or restaurant beyond breakfast. The Marriot was fine but there are holiday Inns, Travelodges, Motel 6 etc nearby which are fairly similar but you should try and get one within walking distance of the Gainesville Alehouse as it's a fine sort of sports bar cum steakhouse and it's where a lot of the teams go after the event. I bumped into Gary Page and Barry Sheavils there most nights and on the Sunday after the finish almost everybody from the event was there.
The strip itself is big and modern, I had Top Eliminator tickets which I thought were OK value. There is general admission standing at the front but the angle is a bit shallow so viewing is not ideal, I'd at least book a grandstand ticket for raceday.
I'd agree with Robin about the Garlitis museum, it's right on the highway, well signposted , and well worth a visit.
Bill
The strip itself is big and modern, I had Top Eliminator tickets which I thought were OK value. There is general admission standing at the front but the angle is a bit shallow so viewing is not ideal, I'd at least book a grandstand ticket for raceday.
I'd agree with Robin about the Garlitis museum, it's right on the highway, well signposted , and well worth a visit.
Bill
I would suggest Streetcar supernationals in Vegas, Mid november. Went this year and was totally blown away, 47 pro street cars qualifying for a 32 field, plus outlaw 10.5,Drag Radial/TT5,outlaw8.5 and bracket classes. 2 pro mods in the 5.7s and 260mph.Not to mention an 80 plus year old going 6.53@235 in drag radial. you wont leave the stands for 4 days!
I'm quite partial to the NHRA Finals at Pomona. It's low'ish season for flight and travel costs, the weather is mostly gorgeous (though the past two events have been exceptions to that rule), there's still something to look forward to after the end of the European season, and there's usually a dramatic finish to at least one of the Pro classes.
Following John's suggestion above, if one had the time and the money, one could actually make it five weekends on the trot in the region, plus more:
1. California Hot Rod Reunion - Bakersfield
2. NHRA Las Vegas Nationals - LV
(Midweek: SEMA Show)
3. NHRA Div. 7 final - LV (NHRA's largest Sportsman race)
4. NHRA Finals - Pomona
(or, for something completely different, Southern Calif. Timing Association's end-season bash at El Mirage dry lake - shame they coincide)
5. Street Car Super Nationals - LV
Following John's suggestion above, if one had the time and the money, one could actually make it five weekends on the trot in the region, plus more:
1. California Hot Rod Reunion - Bakersfield
2. NHRA Las Vegas Nationals - LV
(Midweek: SEMA Show)
3. NHRA Div. 7 final - LV (NHRA's largest Sportsman race)
4. NHRA Finals - Pomona
(or, for something completely different, Southern Calif. Timing Association's end-season bash at El Mirage dry lake - shame they coincide)
5. Street Car Super Nationals - LV
WJM - "The strip itself is big and modern, I had Top Eliminator tickets which I thought were OK value. There is general admission standing at the front but the angle is a bit shallow so viewing is not ideal, I'd at least book a grandstand ticket for raceday." i was on the tix ? forum to pre-book the tickets but they only show standard entry (non seated) or Top Eliminator, i want to book seats as i cant stand up too long, how do i book grandstand seats ???
crockett said:
WJM - "The strip itself is big and modern, I had Top Eliminator tickets which I thought were OK value. There is general admission standing at the front but the angle is a bit shallow so viewing is not ideal, I'd at least book a grandstand ticket for raceday." i was on the tix ? forum to pre-book the tickets but they only show standard entry (non seated) or Top Eliminator, i want to book seats as i cant stand up too long, how do i book grandstand seats ???
Go to: http://www.nhratix.com/ choose Gatornationals.There is seating on both sides of the strip but the main grandstand {which is massive} is on the pits side. The whole complex is very large so there is a fair bit of walking especially if you go around the Sportsman pits which cover a vast area. Car parking is plentiful but again involves a fair bit of walking. I think they get circa 80,000 on raceday so the car parks have to be big !
It was warm but not blistering when I went. I had 4 day tickets so went for a shorter visit on the Thursday when the Pro teams start arriving to find my way around. There are a lot less people around and it is interesting to see how the big teams with 5 or 6 big rigs set up their pits.
Bill
It was warm but not blistering when I went. I had 4 day tickets so went for a shorter visit on the Thursday when the Pro teams start arriving to find my way around. There are a lot less people around and it is interesting to see how the big teams with 5 or 6 big rigs set up their pits.
Bill
crockett said:
Thanks guys (Chevelle and WJM) i looked on the site and it didnt mention seats ?. Chevelle, why are you called Chevelle ? only i have a Chevelle SS myself, small world eh !!
Select a date (for example, Friday), and you get to choose the seat. https://tix.extremetix.com/Online/?siteID=2687&... (because I have a 1965 Malibu)Chevelle - i've just been on the official NHRA ticket site and applied for the four day pass $142, none of the stages of payment give me an option to choose a seat (if we get one), i got right up to the stage of putting in my card details for payment and still no option for seats ????? do i have to pay and then find out where the seats are ??? a bit crappy i think, at vegas and houston you choose what seats you want then pay for them.
i've sent an email last week to the raceway but had no reply.
i've sent an email last week to the raceway but had no reply.
crockett said:
Chevelle - i've just been on the official NHRA ticket site and applied for the four day pass $142, none of the stages of payment give me an option to choose a seat (if we get one), i got right up to the stage of putting in my card details for payment and still no option for seats ????? do i have to pay and then find out where the seats are ??? a bit crappy i think, at vegas and houston you choose what seats you want then pay for them.
i've sent an email last week to the raceway but had no reply.
The four-day ticket is GA (not numbered seat), if you want the reserved seat (Thursday is not numbered seats), you have to take a ticket for each day separately (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). This is how I understand this i've sent an email last week to the raceway but had no reply.
A few photos from Gainesville: http://malibub
h.kuvat.fi/kuvat/NHRA,+Gainesvill...
h.kuvat.fi/kuvat/NHRA,+Gainesvill...Edited by chevelle on Thursday 28th March 11:28
Edited by chevelle on Thursday 28th March 11:42
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