F1 Race at Indy

I went the first 3 years. First year I had tickets right across from the pits/main striaght...saw the pits just fine but wasn't too great for the cars, spent a lot of time watching the big screen.
Next couple of years I got a general admission ticket. When I go to somehting like 24 hrs of Daytona and 12 hrs of Sebring I like to walk around and take in different places. At indy you can do the spectator mounds and a lot of places around the fence where the cars are goin much slower and you really get to feel the gear changes and stuff. Plus they have big screens out in the infield too so you can sit and watch just like you would do in a seat and still have the freedom to walk around.
Down by turn one would be the best place to "sit in" one place if that's what you are looking for. Don't recall the section numbers but from those areas you can see a lot of the first few truns and the main straight so if you had to pick one spot that's where I'd go.
Good luck

 

Mike,

the FCA tickets are pretty good. What is neat when you do it through FCA you get the chance to buy a car pass for the infield and/or the parking lot just outside the stadium. Very convenient and "rock star" feeling when you are allowed with your Ferrari into this temple to motor sport.

Anyway, as far as tickets go, you never need to worry really about Indy as they don't sell out and so many seats are good. Heck, you can wait till race day, walk up and buy a ticket from a scalper and not overpay too much. Only at Indy.

During practice/qualifying I usually hang out high in the Grandstands opposite the pits to watch the mechanics (high so I can shoot over the fence with the lens). In the race Turn 1 is really good as that's where a lot of action happens. Also they added a new stand to the infield, should be good to and last but not least walk the infield during a practice day, best way to take in some of the more charming atmosphere.

My best advice would be: Take in practice and qualifying session from different spots. Walk around, don't just stay in one spot.

 

If you just pay the cheap general admission price for the first few days, you can go anywhere & sit anywhere you like. First of all, that lets you sit right across from the Ferrari garage for a while, try out the penthouse seats, etc & do it with lowest cost.
That will help you decide where you want to watch the race from.
My son & I just got race day tickets from people on the sidewalk on the race morning & were able to sit in the front row of the penthouse area right across from the pits.
Some say that the most excicting place is at the end of the front straight just before turn 1. That is were most of the overtaking takes place.
However, those are bleacher type seats in the sun, so if you don't like the heat, you may want to look into locations with a roof overhead.
As somone said, you should be able to have plenty of ticket options.
Be prepared for one of the most exciting experiences you can imagine. The screaming of the engines is so loud that you will hear them from several blocks away. Most people take ear plugs, but I love that roar. You literally cannot hear someone shouting right next to you when the cars are coming by.

 

The best seats most races, in my opinion, are just before a turn after a long straight. This is where most of the passing takes place. Also, ususally this is just before the first turn of the race, where crashes will take place.

This would translate into Grand Stand H at Indianapolis.

And when I went to the F1 race at Indy last year, this was the grand stand that I sat in. I saw a lot of good racing from my seat. The only thing is that the seats are numbered and assigned and the view from the first 5 rows are obstructed partially from the barracade.

Edit: I just read the reply that is right above mine. Ear plugs are definitely recommended. The engine noise is definitely painful.

 

Good point. I remember coming late for a practice session. You hear the thunder outside the stadium and your heart beats faster with excitement. Once you enter the stadium the repercussions of the sound waves on the stadium walls are simply overwhelming and the scream of a 900hp V10 at 19,000 rpm is ear piercing and nothing you hear anywhere else.

 

Sat in stand H last year, and will again this year. Earplugs are not a factor when you are away from the covered grandstands..

Todd

 

Just a suggestion for Sunday lunch is the Brickyard box lunch option. We've done this many times and it's by far the best food value available on Sunday. We just got our order form in yesterday's mail. New this year is the Italian Sub (option 3); #1 is Ham & Cheese Sandwich; #2 is Turkey & Cheese Sandwich. Included is a fried chicken breast, chips, fresh apple, baked beans, cookie, condiments and choice of 2 beverages - this is only $13.95. We also get the Souvenier Cooler for $18.95 - any six beverages plus the cooler. If you plan to take a cooler into the speedway, you may want to check the regs on the website. Go to: www.brickyardboxlunch.com for more lunch info.

We don't pay to park as we participate in the Car Corral on the back straight. We'll more than likely take the SLK350 and get our pass with the MB group. It's just the other side of the golf course.

We sit in Tower Terrace - one year right at pit exit near first turn - last year and this year up higher across from the podium and above the post-race interview area.

Carol

 

Anyone doing the two track events? Any recomendations, how good is IRP?

 

Have to concur with everyone, H & J are two of the best stands, if you can get a ticket. Usually on Ebay.

I have been sitting in Penthouse A since the beginning just at the S/F line. Although first turns are great, the thrill of a standing start does it for me. And I do enjoy the pit stops. And of course Victory Lane when the Ferrari gets lifted up a few feet.

I am too old to walk around during such a short race, so sitting in one place is good for me.

And take the bus from the airport to and from the track!!

 

Yup. If you haven't seen the layout of IRP, go to http://www.irponline.com/HOME/IRPFanGuide/facilitymap.asp. If that doesn't look like fun to you, then you must be French. Weather should be nice, but bring rain tires just in case. Jim

 

Ok it looks like H is sold out already, apart from that, where would be the best place to sit? Might also really need seat backs too...

 

The first year we stayed across the street in an RV, and I remember the morning session started before we went in. I was like a little kid, hopping in place trying to get my friends to get the lead out so we could go inside. The main grandstand is perfect for echoing the engine noise.

 

It was my first race this past June at Indy and we got there a bit late the first day, as we just drove into town, and I remember walking from where we parked, and hearing the cars when the track was still over a mile away. Once we got close and the sound was starting to get really loud, I started going nuts. I was running around trying to get inside as soon as possible, giggling the whole time.Coming out into the stand area and seeing the first car drive right by me was a life changing experience. I'll never forget that.

 

We are in Tower Terrace again - up across from the podium - you can see the start, first turn, tv screen across the track, easy access up the front of the stand or up from the back, right above the post-race interview area and best of all only $85. We get our tickets directly from the Indy site (don't know if sold out as we got ours after last year's race).

Carol

 

Just got my tickets. Im sitting in the upper level of section A, row B, seats 3 and 4. Should be pretty darn good seats, but im worried about not being able to see the cars since they are so close to the walls beneath us.

I cant tell you guys how excited I am!

What kind of Fchat get togethers are we going to have?

 

Jordan,

I am sure we will have a dinner Saturday night like has happened the past few years.

We will have to hook up and shoot the BS i will be in indy Thursday - Mionday after getting in from Montreal and NYC

Rob

 

Same here. Will be in Montreal and in Indy. Need to see you again buddy.

 

Andreas,

Good to hear. Bring your camera for sure, i should have my D2x by the end of the month so i cannot wait for Canada and Indy. Are you planning on renting some big glass for the races?

Rob

 

No, but I was thinking about buying a really good 2x converter. I think Nikon makes one. Any recommendations? I already have a cheap one and the pictures loose all contrast and brilliance.

 

Instead of a 2X teleconverter Look at the Nikon TC17E. the images i have seen out of them are very sharp. All 2X converters you will lose some sharpness of the image.

The down side with all of the Nikon TC's is the fact that they only work with Nikon AF-S lenses for full Autofocus if any of your lenses are the old style screwdriver focus drives you will need to go with an Kenko Pro 300 TC. The Sigma TC's are quite good also but they only work with AF-S or Sigma HSM lens focus motors. I am using a Sigma 1.4 with my Sigma 120-300 EX Lens and i can even still auto focus my Nikon 24-120 AF-S VR lens with the TC mounted at 120mm if becomes an 168mm f/8.0 lens.

Rob