Indy F1 Upcoming Race | FerrariChat

Indy F1 Upcoming Race

Discussion in 'Chicago' started by Daytona Rick, Apr 19, 2007.

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  1. Daytona Rick

    Daytona Rick Formula 3

    Jan 23, 2005
    1,060
    Windy City
    Full Name:
    Rick
    I don't remember hearing or reading much about the upcoming race in Indy. So who is planning on going and for what days. We plan to go, not sure of which dates yet. Started looking for hotels, that's a joke already.
     
  2. Geekn8r

    Geekn8r Rookie

    Jul 28, 2006
    12
    Ill be going to the event. I decided to not take my 360 because Im sure its going to be a mad house.

    The hotels were sold out when I looked about 3 weeks ago. Unfortunately there is nothing in Downtown. If you find any decent hotels with availability post it up... I booked a Ramada as close to downtown as I could get.
     
  3. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    49,642
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    I'm going for Friday and Saturday *IF* I can find a downtown hotel. They did their usual lame trick and blocked out the GP dates. Has been like this since the FIA announced the date. Pathetic, but that's Indianapolis and its ridiculous hotel policy for you.

    So I'll do what I always do: Wait till about 3 weeks before the GP when the hotel managers get nervous and cold feet realizing that they won't be able to sell out their beds and start take away the blockout. At that point I'll get my usual Motel 6 room for just $ 300 a night...

    There are lots of rooms available if you're willing to be outside of downtown. Just do a search on Expedia.

    PS: The part I never understood about Indianapolis (and no other GP city is like that) is that they just block out the dates entirely. Racking up the price I can understand (e.g. Montreal operates that way), but just totally blocking the dates is weird. I guess they assume people (Europeans?) just buy package trips. But it prevents everybody from making a reservation. Bizarre.
     
  4. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    I went to the first one but none since. It was the easiest race to drive to, and get scalped tickets for (at $5 over face) of all the races I've ever been to there up to that time. These days the Indy 500 is comperable; I allow 5 1/2 hours from Chicago, stop for breakfast and still have well over an hour leeway before the race starts to park, get tickets and get to my seats.

    I've stopped going to the Brickyard 400 because it's worse than the Indy before the IRL.

    How's the F-1 these days as far as tickets and traffic? Can anyone compare it to the present Indy 500 logistics? Has the F1 race become more popular since the first one?

    Ken
     
  5. jeffwh

    jeffwh Karting

    Oct 6, 2006
    138
    White
    Full Name:
    Jeffrey
    I'll be going. I have a pass to park in the Corral on the track so that should save me from having to park on grass somewhere. You should be able to get rooms just before the event. I always stay at the Hilton downtown, but I get in because I stay so many nights at Hiltons that they have to take me.

    Are any of you going on the FCA ride from Barrington to Lake Geneva on May 12?
     
  6. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    49,642
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    Popularity went down hill, so getting tickets is easier each year. I never buy tickets in advance, just walk up to the local scalpers or even the booth and get what you want.

    I'm planning on going to the FCA and the Ferrarichat events on Friday, but I no longer bring my own car. Been there, done that twice, that's enough.
     
  7. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    That's what I thought. It's just like the Indy 500 then; there were even empty seats last year. I love it though!

    Ken
     
  8. Mobius Entwine

    Mobius Entwine Karting

    Jun 9, 2005
    221
    Roscoe, IL
    Full Name:
    Tom
    I've always driven down from the NW Chicago suburbs to Indy the morning of the race. I usually get there around sunrise. I am usually part of a group of 3-8 people in one vehicle. It's a fun trip.

    We park in somebody's shady yard for $20 and walk 8 blocks to the track. We are not alone. Parking closer to the track does not save time when leaving. You can walk the 8 blocks faster than you could drive them.

    I've had tickets for the South bleachers, VIP Suites, and the Infield Turn 6 bleachers. I much prefer standing at the grassy knoll at the hairpin (turn 9?) or at the hole in the fence at turn 6.

    After the race, we join 1000s of other flatlanders on the drive back to Chicago. This is the worst part. We get home at sundown.
     
  9. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth

    In the old days I'd always park far away because the walk was quicker when we left, but these days I park 2 blocks away on a side street off Georgetown, also in a yard. Once you get on G'Town to leave, it's only 10 minutes to the highway, and clear sailing from there.

    Ken
     
  10. BEisler

    BEisler Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2006
    374
    Carmel, IN
    I will be there in the motor home parked in the RV Premium lot (4A). I was thinking of trailering my 308 there but decided not mess with it. If any F-Chatters want to stop by for a beverage and chow, don't hesitate to PM me.

    We went to the first USGP at Indy when we lived there from 99 to 2005. We plan to continue going as it is a fantastic event.
     
  11. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

    Mar 16, 2002
    13,337
    Ex-Urbia
    Full Name:
    Jack
    THAT'S the way to go. Which is why it's always good to throw a tent in the car anyway. Camping is always a good backup. We took 2 RVs the first year and were about 100 feet from the entrance. Granted, I was ready for a proper bed and a real shower by the end of the weekend, but it was a lot of fun.
     
  12. Az330im

    Az330im Karting

    Mar 9, 2006
    169
    going this year with a few friends (one of them a fellow Fchat member). Last year we left at around 7 and got there by 10ish? don't remember exactly.....anyways we saw some exotics parked in a small grass fenced off area across the street from the track, there were a few Ferrari's so I was wondering if they were owned by anyone from on here?

    can't wait to go back this year!
     
  13. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Oct 3, 2002
    49,642
    @ the wheel
    Full Name:
    Andreas
    The F430 in the corner belongs to guy from Chicago, but he isn't on FChat. Also nearby (but not on the grass) was a nice Porsche from a FChatter. I parked nearby as well, but not on that piece of grass.
     
  14. EVILZ33

    EVILZ33 Formula Junior

    Feb 2, 2007
    258
    chicago
    im going saturday and sunday for sure not sure about practice tho. im going with a group of about 6 or 7 people been going for the past 2 years and love it. ill be taking my Z keep a look out its got gunmeteal gray wheels and hopefully itl have a fat intercooler by then
     

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