2005 USGP. Who's Going?

I am undecided as of now. I've been to the 03 and 04 events at Indy. I had a great time. The 03 was more fun due to the rain

This year I might go to Montreal instead if I am free that weekend and if the finances work out for me.

 

We got our tickets directly thru the speedway again this year. We prefer Tower Terrace and paid $85 for Sunday. Saturday is General Admission - the following link (if it works) will take you directly to ticket sales.

https://imstix.brickyard.com/inettix/OnlineTicketing.aspx

or main USGP site -> http://www.usgpindy.com/

If you don't have hotel reservations you may find it difficult to obtain same without paying a very high price.

As far as parking, last year we participated in the Car Corral and it's my understanding they will have it again (per an email from Carolyn) but the forms aren't out just yet. Saturday they just park all the participants in a row on the straight and on Sunday they park you by car make. We were with the Mercedes Benz group last year; had a friend with a Lotus. By far the largest contingent was Porsche followed by Audi. Ferrari representation was minimal as was Lambos. The Jaguar group had a large turnout also. It provides a place for spectators go to see all the different cars and since you are "part of the entertainment" there was no cost for the Car Corral (however, a Corral pass is necessary).

We've always gotten our seats in the Tower Terrace, couple times fairly low and at the end of the pit exit not far from the first turn. Last year we were higher up and almost directly across from the podium. We got to see Michael pretty close up. The bad part of the USGP is that they don't allow you onto the track after the race - we've walked many a track in Europe and in Canada - that is a neat thing. We've got a plastic coke bottle with bits and pieces of Kimi's car and Ruben's car from indicents in Hockenheim two years ago, along with tire marbles.

If you are near "Mickey & Mouse" you can see the cars fairly close up. If you are in the right place at time you can obtain lots of autographs - Ross is a great person for signing things, you won't get near Michael, Trulli was very nice as far as signing my yellow Ferrari flag, got to kiss DC along with a gal from Holland - we followed him to his MB and he spent time chatting with those there.

If you go, check out the box lunches - that's the only way to go on Sunday! Info is not out yet for those but the cost is about $13.95 each and you'll have more food that you know what to do with. You have to go to the main Indy site for that.

Last year on Friday evening about 5 pm there was a concours for F-cars in the circle downtown. Lots of neat looking vehicles. Should be interesting what will take place this year with the FOA meeting following the USGP.

Hope this helps you a little bit!

Carol

 

I was thinking of Montreal as well. Maybe if a few of us go we could meet and hang. I'm currently checking various websites for ticket, hotel, etc. info.

 

If you've not been to Montreal before, we found the best seats to be in Silver 24, just as they exit the hairpin. GP Ticketshop has tickets for 340 USD for the weekend. They usually have the Ferrari Challenge cars run there too. We stayed out of Montreal, drove to one of the subway stations and took the train to the circuit.

If you want to eat at Jacque's restaurant, Newtown, it's best to get reservations made now as they only do two seatings each night. 1476 rue Crescent, 512.284.6555.

If you go, have fun. You can walk the track with the race is over!! If you walk thru the park after the race to avoid the crowd on the subway and get a window table in the restaurant in the basement of the Casino, you can watch the transporters begin their work.

Carol

 

With the FCA National Meet being held directly after the race, I hope there will be an opportunity to drive the track in your car on Monday...

 

I'll be there again. Paddock Penthouse. Directly across the front straight from the podium.

Dave

 

Been ever year! I will be going again this year. Love see all the Ferraris right outside the track. The Car Corral was cool last year, not many Ferraris but I was pleased to see the Subaru turnout. I drive a WRX that is track ready. I took it up there for the day that they aloud you one lap. IT was fun to be one the track but they didnt let you get going at all. I feel the best seats are about 50 yards past the first turn up high. You can see down the front straight all the way around to half way down the back straight. Turn 456 are the best part of Indy. YOu can really see how amazing F1 cars are when they are turning at full throtle. thinking about hitting Montreal this year too.

 

I've been checking out GP Tours, is that the same site? I appreciate the advice and will hopefully be booking soon.

 

I have also been every year. My seats are second row at turn one in Stand H. I have sat virtually everywhere in that place and these are without a doubt the best! Check out the Indiana FOC for info on their downtown event as well as tickets. In years past they sell off a boatload of tics in the section where I sit. They also have free F-car parking at the VFW Hall next to the track. I could not take my 308 last year and after seeing where they put people, I am glad! It was a dust pit and did not look too secure (maybe I'm wrong). I found out later about the Car Corral and that sounds cool! I also heard the FCA is negotiating with Indy and the GP folks about doing an F-car only drive around the track DURING the race weekend! Now THAT will be cool! My buddy keeps kidding me that if it does happen, my car will probably go POOF! on the main straight in front of 60 zillion people! I think I could then do a "Wanna get away?" commercial for Southwest Airlines!

Oh and BTW, if you have never heard an F1 motor live - you are in for a treat! TV does NOT do them justice! See ya there!
Jim

 

I recently did a post on my weblog, www.automodica.com, arguing that if given the choice it would cost the same to attend either GP so why not the Canadian? I used GP Tours for accomodation pricing and a web search for air fare.

The pricing was done with minimal research and to be fair the pricing of tickets is very different between the two, it was hard to compare apples to apples. If I were to attend a GP this year I would definitely pick Montreal over Indy. And what about Cancun in the future?

 

Montreal over Indy any day.

This will be my fifth year at Montreal and its the best. The subway gets you from center city to the track in ten minutes so you don't waste time getting to and from the track. The city has tons of things to do in the evening when not at the track. The people are great, the exchange rate is in our (US) favor, and since they mostly speak French as a primary language, its like being in a European city for the GP.

Try it.

 

I'll be going to both Montreal and Indy this year... can't wait

 

I'll be there again this year, believe it is at Stand H, right at T1..

 

I've had to miss going to Monaco since I moved to the US so I'll be at Indy this year. Still not sure which stand to book tickets in.

IS there any advantage to one of the penthouses over the stands? And can you see in the infield from around the banking (A, B or E)?

 

I should be going. Family is up there and we were plannin on going to the race and then so see them. I've never been there before. Id it as good as people say it is?

 

Stands H or J have great seats overlooking Turn 1, most passing is there, you can see pit out, and are opposite a big screen for the rest of the track. Not much other on track events since they chased out the historics, but if you go to Montreal, they will be there again. Montreal is a great city, you have a lot to get into there, Indy sucks for support on and off track. This might be the last year I renew my tix. (Waiting for bikes......)

 

I will be at Indy again in my usual seats. I may even be at Canada as well for my first time.

 

No it is not. We don't deal with any tour groups when we go to the F1 races. We find we have more fun and can do it cheaper - we definitely prefer to do things on our own. We've bought tickets from www.gpticketshop.com for many events (Marc Lew is a great person to work with), but buy directly from the Indy site for those tickets. Often times when you go directly to the track site you get the best deals. We are getting our San Marino tickets thru the track this year - cheaper than anyone else if you get them prior to 31 January. Bought tickets for Spa for this year immediately after we returned home from last year's race - again, a very good buy on great seating.

Quote: "Oh and BTW, if you have never heard an F1 motor live - you are in for a treat! TV does NOT do them justice! See ya there!"

The only way to really experience the sounds of a F1 engine is to be in Spa and hear them running thru the forest admist the fog - that is really special. The only true road course left IMO.

We are headed to San Marino (Imola), USGP, Spa and may try to squeeze in Magny-Cours again or Hockenheim again. Only little flaw with Magny-Cours is getting out of Paris and the cost of the race tickets, of course the seats were absolutely wonderful but the cost was right at $1000 USD for both of us. Also may try to hit an ALMS race and cheer Risi on.

Carol

 

I will be there. I sit in the paddock across from the Ferrari Garage. I also like the fact that where I sit I am high enough to see most of the track.

 

Thank you for all the great info. I will take your advice and start booking early.

 

I'm going to Montreal (6 of us all together), let's try to have drinks/dinner one night.

Gary

 

I have been there since the first race in 2000. I have had seats in about 4 different locations, but in my opinion the best seats are in the upper two "penthouse" rows in the N.W. Vista. This allows you to see from turn 13 almost to the end of the short back straight. I had these seats last year and they were tremendous. I will do Indy again this year and I am thinking of Montreal. I have got a shot at getting seats about 30 rows up in stand 15 (according to the track people) has anybody seen the race from this vantage?

 

According to GP Ticketshop.com ->Go for the East sector of the track, near the Metro station and the Cosmos Bridge, where your seat in grandstands 15, 21 and 24 assures you of a view of The hairpin (L'Épingle), one of the best spots on the track for passing.

In two trips to Montreal we sat both times in Silver 24. We've walked the entire track both times and came to the conculsion that these were the best seats. Reason being - you can see them come into the hairpin - talk about some cherry red brakes, watch them try to pass on the hairpin and accelerate out. You can also sorta see behind you the Ferrari Challenge cars as they come from their pit area to the track. You are closer to the track in Silver 24 than Silver 15. Nonetheless, we had great seats in this section both times. FYI GP Ticketshop is showing 340 USD for the weekend for Silver 15 and 24 - check out their track map.

To Modenafan: Your quite welcome, good luck and enjoy the races wherever you go!! We are looking forward to going back to Maranello to the two-day owner's tour again - went this past October and had a most enjoyable time....now there's something to add to your list of thing to do!!! Cost was about 624 EUR for both of us. You go to places in the factory where the folks on the freebie dealer arranged tour don't get to go!

Carol

 

I went in 03 and 04 sat in section H right at the apex of turn #1 great seats close to the braking zone action. Thinking about going to Australia for the season opener.. not sure if I will goto Indy this year.