U.S. Grand Prix...who's going?
 

Hi ya'll,

Just wanted to see how many other people here are going to the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis this weekend (6/17)?

I'm heading up Friday, this will be my first F1 race, I'm pumped! Been a fan for 6-7 years, finally going to see what everything is like in person. Bringing my ear plugs and sunscreen, can't wait!

So, who else?

I was there last year, but it cost too much money/vacation time to go again this year. Maybe next year if it is at a cool venue. I drove up from Atlanta, which really wasn't that bad of a drive.

You will definitely need the ear plugs and sunscreen. Where are you sitting? If you are not in the shaded grandstands on Sunday make sure to bring a cooler full of drinks because it gets really really hot on those shiny seats... Also, make sure to take advantage of Friday and Saturday practice to walk around during the GA and sit at all the turns.

Don’t forget to post your pics when you get back!

Cool man, thanks for the tips.

We're going to miss Friday practice, but we will definitely be there all day Saturday. We are just going to buy general admisson tickets, so we won't really have a "seat." We'll just be in the infield.

Got yeah. Well during Saturday practice make sure to walk around and view all of the turns. When qualifying comes around go to the turns you have not been to yet, but make sure you are sitting across from the pagoda for the 2nd and 3rd qualifying sessions because the pit lane is always full of excitement!
Last year there was a drag race between Alonso and Schumacher at the beginning of the 3rd session (might have been the 2nd) that was fantastic.

A GA ticket for Sunday is going to be tough. Just make sure to get there as early as possible to secure a spot to watch from the infield because they fill up really fast. My favorite infield place to watch from was the beginning of the back straight near the bridge (to see and hear the acceleration and then slam on the brakes at the end). Being near a TV also helps because it is the only way you will follow was it going on.

Enjoy!

Awesome man, I really don't know what to do so your advice is greatly appreciated!


So nobody else is going?

Heh, might as well go this year, cause the current contract for the US Grand Prix is up after 2007 and TG might decide to not play ball with Bernie and just pack it in.

this is the pretty much free one???? after the french tire issue???

i bet the racing is really racing this year..

beers :beer:

Have fun at the race. Formula I is a great show. I was fortunate enough to see the German Grand Prixs in l968 and l969 when they were run at the long Nurburgring track. Actually got to meet Mario Andretti as he was arriving for the race. Well, at least got to shake his hand and let him know that there were some Americans there routing for him. This was in his younger days and I could not believe how small he was. Over there, at that time, the drivers were much more accessable.

With the length of the track, a lot of partying went on between the times the field would pass. Also there was just a wire fence between the track and the spectator areas around the track at some places, so you could get as close as 20 feet from the track as the cars passed. Great experience.

I know, this must mean I am getting old. Seems just like yesterday.

The tire issue was 2 years ago, and only some of the people who had tickets for the 2005 race were reimbursed for tickets to the 2006 race.

thanks,

was not sure.. it was a good race, but i wonder how many people were there.. stands did not look to full...

beers :beer:

yea, that was 2005...the french bought something like 20000 tickets and give out free ones for people renewing a certain amount of tickets. I renewed my 3 and got 2 extra.

I believe the empty section you saw on TV was on Indy car turn 4, since it's so far from the action, it rarely sold out. The rest of the stands were mostly full. I was at turn 1 and it was packed. I've been there every years since 2000, it's a great experience. Got cheap ticket for a NASCAR race after one of the weekends and I almost felt asleep.

So, GRGJTSN needs to post some pics!

I made it up to the USGP this year. This was my first time to see an F1 race in person. Amazing - I was blown away just watching them run during practice. I didn't bring a camera, so I don't have any pics. I lost count of all of the Ferraris, Lotuses (Loti?), and Lamborghinis that were in town - even saw my first F40 and Carrera GT. It was weird seeing more F430s than Rx-8s.

We ate at the OceanAire Seafood Room in Indy on Saturday night. Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella were both there with their "people." Fisichella sat at the table beside us. I was suprised how personable and approachable they were.

I will definitely be there next year - if it comes back, that is.