24 Hours of Daytona 2014 Planning

I've been about 11 of the last 16 years. Get the superticket (or whatever it's called) for about $120.00. Buy tickets early if you plan on camping or even parking on the infield. And get there early on Friday (if not Thurs PM) to secure space on the infield.
It is a great experience to walk around the garages between 1 & 4:00 am and watch the drama of exhausted mechanics trying to get their cars back in the fray. Very much a human struggle behind the mechanical and technical dazzle.
You're gonna love it!

 

check Rennlist, I bought an infield parking pass there. or check Craiglist in the Daytona/Melbourne/Orlando areas, but expect to pay a premium.

 

What I was going to say!

I have been doing it for 10 years now. First time infield parking tickets sold so quickly IIRC. This year I WILL STAY for the 24 hours again (My friends go back to the hotel and come back Sunday morning).

If you also belong to the PCA, go to their tent in the infield; great food and great seat!

 

Definitely get the garage pass! I've got some neat pictures of the Ganassi team doing some late night repairs ... and Ganassi is even in the mix holding a flashlight for the crew. Lots of great memories of meeting some legendary racers.

 

not sure if anyone is interested, but this just popped up in my email (meaning they haven't sold out, if they're emailing schmucks like me )

Ferrari Hospitality - 24 Hours at Daytona - Event Summary

 

I have two Grassroots Motorsport tickets for sale. 4 day pass, parking pass in their fenced/hard surface parking area, dinner Saturday night (simple), free coffee-donuts Sat/Sun, goody bag of misc. stuff, garage walkthroughs, tent with TV if the weather is bad, full garage access. My cost $240 for the pair.
PM me if interested.

 

I'm new to this forum and I don't seem to have access to PM as a result. Feel free to reply via the forum or by emailing me directly at [email protected]. Thanks.

 

Some other thoughts for first timers. Watch the weather! It can be warm, cold, sunny, windy, rainy. I think the worst was 3-4 years ago 37* Sunday morning and high winds, froze my ass off. There is a K-Mart on International Blvd. just East of the track to pick up a poncho. Bring an umbrella, however they won't let it in the grandstands (at least a full size one). Poncho is better. Sunscreen is a good idea for the sunny days. Shorts/t-shirt, but also long pants and long sleeve t-shirt, some kind of wind breaker/jacket, it is usually at least "cool" in the evenings. I carry a backpack with bottled water/snacks plus other crap. Pick up a 12/24 pack of water at K-Mart or Walgreens, keep it in your car. Concessions are kind of pricey, but not as bad as some venues. Look into renting (or purchasing) a scanner, there is a trailer in the vendor area that rents these. You can listen to the race broadcast, plus the various team transmissions, often very interesting. Bring binoculars, small ones will do, fit in the backpack. I like to watch the start of the race from the main grandstands. You can pick just about any seat you want, , up high is fun. Don't loiter against the fence in front of the main grandstand for too long, the cop on his scooter will come by and tell you to "move along" sternly. But it is way cool to get right up next to the cars as they come down the front straight, slowing for turn 1. Take the tram to the "Budweiser Party Porch", it is a great viewing spot on the back straight in front of the Bus Stop. I like to go out there just at sunset, great view and you can watch the rotors glowing red. You get the trams for both the Main Grandstand and Party Porch in front of the Sprint Fanzone, located in the infield.The angle of the banking will surprise you in person, TV does not do it justice. Spend time in the garage area, I find it fascinating, watching the cars being prepped, then being repaired-and you are standing 10-15' away from the action. Be aware of race cars and team vehicles in the pits, sometimes they are in a real hurry. Walk down the aisle behind the hot pits, watch the team mgt. in action. Try and get there in time for the Continental race on Friday. In some ways it is even more fun than the 24, 3.5 hours of 80-100 cars in full sprint race mode. Lot's of great racing/excitement/variety. Get a free t-shirt at the Chevy display. Cracked Egg, in Daytona Beach Shores, S. Atlantic Blvd. is great for breakfast, but expect a line. Check out all the bleachers in the infield, they each offer a different perspective. Saturday's night atmosphere is somewhat surreal, million dollar motor homes with big screen tv's and local high school kids with bonfires and $20 couches from Goodwill and everything in-between all right next to each other. Check out the ferris wheel at night, cool place to watch a few laps. Porsche club always has an extensive car corral down by turn 3 in the infield. Buy the souvenir program, then get the grid sheets on Friday for the continental race and Saturday for 24 from a program kiosk (there is a ticket in the program you turn in for the grid sheet). I'm forgetting plenty, but that is good for starters.

 

^^ He said it all but somehow forgot to mention the Oceandeck and Lollipops. . .

 

What was I thinking-LOL!
After the race, unless you are in a hurry to catch a flight, go walk the garages. It is fascinating to see the aftermath and toll that 24 hours can take on these beautiful machines. They were shiny stallions just a day earlier, now they are tired, dirty, held together with duct tape and bailing wire, major body structure simply gone, but still proud finishers. Besides, you will just sit in a line for 30-60 minutes in your car trying to get out anyway, wait around and enjoy the scenery.
If you are there on Friday and see something in the vendor area that you want and may be unique, I suggest picking it up. The real crowd comes on Saturday/Sunday and that cool piece may be gone when you go back to get it.

 

email sent.

 

I'm getting so psyched for the race. Appreciate the comments to max the experience. Purchased the FCA package including Monday...... Can't wait! See everyone there....

 

Yea, pretty excited also. Took the 996 TT in for a checkout before driving down next week. Good thing, they found a torn CV boot. Picking it up tomorrow.

 

This is my 11th R24...

Temps are looking to be mid-60's to mid-40's…Saturday around midnight will be cold if there's any breeze.

The Hot Light will be on for 48 straight hours @ Krispy Kreme!!

 

The sounds of the Porsche's as they downshift into 1 is epic.."whap..whap..whap!"…LOVE IT.

 

I like the new start time, 2:10 pm. I never liked the late start of 3:30. Plus this way I can get a few miles on the road late Sunday afternoon heading home (1300 mile drive).

 

It used to be 1:00. You're right though. Once the sun comes up on Sunday, it's a mad dash until the finish.

 

1:00 would even be better. It seems like the last 3-4 years they run like a 24 hour sprint race. 5,6,7 cars on the lead lap at the end, I find to be incredible.

 

To original poster: Did you go? If so, what are your memories?
Hope you enjoyed it!