Author Topic: Wanna Go To The USGP? (Read 3796 times)

Ultra · « **on:** April 30, 2007, 01:15:19 PM »

I am thinking this could be my year.

Anyone else planning on being there? Would love to meet up with the guys from the board. I am thinking I am going to ride the motorbike.

Should be fun.

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2007, 01:18:54 PM »

Quote from: Ultra on April 30, 2007, 01:15:19 PM

I am thinking I am going to ride the motorbike....

They'll never let you on the track without a super-pilot license.

mpatrizio · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2007, 02:18:15 PM »

I'll be there as always. I'm staying downtown at the Radisson on the circle. There's nothing better than staying in downtown Indy on a race weekend.

I know for a fact that MG is going as well as F-.

Ultra · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2007, 02:36:50 PM »

Quote from: mpatrizio on April 30, 2007, 02:18:15 PM

I'll be there as always. I'm staying downtown at the Radisson on the circle. There's nothing better than staying in downtown Indy on a race weekend.

I know for a fact that MG is going as well as F-.

How much and how tough are rooms?

MG · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2007, 03:29:14 PM »

Room rates depend on where you stay. MP arranged for some rooms about 2 months ago (which was exceedingly thoughtful of him) that are in the $300/night range which seems pricey except they are right downtown where all the action is on Saturday night. THAT is worth the entire weekend right there.

2 years ago, we stayed out by the beltway around Indy and you had to take a commuter flight to the center of town and change planes in Des Moines......

Tix for the event run about $110 for the weekend. More if you want to sit in Bernie's lap. This works out to be about a half to a third of what folks in other countries pay for admission to these events.

Certainly not as cheap as attending a swamp buggy race nor will you be treated to the Miss Fuel Injection contest down in the pee-its, but Indy on Saturday is KaaRAzzy good fun. Sometimes the racing isn't too bad either, depending on whether or not more than 6 cars elect to actually race (I'm STILL pissed about that.......

)

mpatrizio · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2007, 04:30:02 PM »

Quote from: Ultra on April 30, 2007, 02:36:50 PM

Quote from: mpatrizio on April 30, 2007, 02:18:15 PM
I'll be there as always. I'm staying downtown at the Radisson on the circle. There's nothing better than staying in downtown Indy on a race weekend.

I know for a fact that MG is going as well as F-.

How much and how tough are rooms?

I know for a fact that the Westin downtown has rooms for $425 or so per night. My deal with Radisson was a Doug Flutie hail mary mircale. You can try calling them, but they're doing construction there so their room inventory is short.

All in all, the best bet is to call the downtown hotels personally. DO NOT try to do this online. Every hotel will come up on the web as being booked. They block out rooms and make them available as the event gets closer, so you just need to keep calling and be persistent.

The room is by far the hardest part of Indy. Everything else is easy after that.

MG · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2007, 09:45:39 PM »

Dan Speed sleeps in a tent every year for about 20 bux a night and seems none the worse for wear. The camping is within a mile of the track but hell and gone from downtown.

You pays yer money and you takes yer choice, as my old Irish grandmother used to say.....

Ultra · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2007, 09:57:04 PM »

Quote from: MG on April 30, 2007, 09:45:39 PM

Dan Speed sleeps in a tent every year for about 20 bux a night and seems none the worse for wear. The camping is within a mile of the track but hell and gone from downtown.

You pays yer money and you takes yer choice, as my old Irish grandmother used to say.....

That sounds like me.

I will have to hear from him and see about arranging similar accomodations.

Dan Speed · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2007, 07:37:35 PM »

The Speedway Lions Club have a campground about a 1/4 mile down 25th St. from the Speedway. $40 for the weekend per carload. That's the same price you'll pay just for parking. Pretty damn good deal if you don't mind not showering all weekend.

I probably won't be going this year, though. I kinda...umm... misplaced my driver's license on St. Patrick's Day. I believe the friendly officer that gave me a ride home knows where it is, and will be handing it back in September. Of course, if there was a GTO heading down I-75 that weekend with an empty shotgun seat...

Ultra · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2007, 07:51:09 PM »

Quote from: Dan Speed on May 01, 2007, 07:37:35 PM

The Speedway Lions Club have a campground about a 1/4 mile down 25th St. from the Speedway. $40 for the weekend per carload. That's the same price you'll pay just for parking. Pretty damn good deal if you don't mind not showering all weekend.

I probably won't be going this year, though. I kinda...umm... misplaced my driver's license on St. Patrick's Day. I believe the friendly officer that gave me a ride home knows where it is, and will be handing it back in September. Of course, if there was a GTO heading down I-75 that weekend with an empty shotgun seat...

What if it was a Honda Shadow?

Boxer2500 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:12:47 PM »

Quote from: Dan Speed on May 01, 2007, 07:37:35 PM

The Speedway Lions Club have a campground about a 1/4 mile down 25th St. from the Speedway. $40 for the weekend per carload. That's the same price you'll pay just for parking. Pretty damn good deal if you don't mind not showering all weekend.

I probably won't be going this year, though. I kinda...umm... misplaced my driver's license on St. Patrick's Day. I believe the friendly officer that gave me a ride home knows where it is, and will be handing it back in September. Of course, if there was a GTO heading down I-75 that weekend with an empty shotgun seat...

Oooooh, that's a bummer man. How are you getting to work?

Dan Speed · « **Reply #11 on:** May 02, 2007, 06:00:52 PM »

I've got privileges to, from, and at work. And a new appreciation for the difference in alcohol content between Guinness and Miller Lite. Ultra, I usually pack light, but not that light.

Ultra · « **Reply #12 on:** May 02, 2007, 08:47:55 PM »

Quote from: Dan Speed on May 02, 2007, 06:00:52 PM

I've got privileges to, from, and at work. And a new appreciation for the difference in alcohol content between Guinness and Miller Lite. Ultra, I usually pack light, but not that light.

Wanna help me offset the differences in the gas cost between bike and car then?

Dan Speed · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2007, 06:22:01 PM »

That could prolly be arranged.

MG · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2007, 06:40:59 AM »

Good! Looking forward to seeing you guys,

We like to watch practice/qualifying at Turn 13 (Turn One normally at Indy). This is where the cars are travelling at maximum speed and the sound and sensory experience are awesome! Indy lets you sit anywhere you can find a seat up until race day. (At least they USED to.) See you there!

Ultra · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2007, 09:05:56 PM »

Quote from: Dan Speed on May 03, 2007, 06:22:01 PM

That could prolly be arranged.

Let's arrange it then.

I will be driving down Friday night. I can stop and pick you up. (Where? When?) Do we need to call the campground ahead? Can you do that since you know where to call? Do I need a tent or will my covered Hammock do the trick? How long to drive from you to Indy? How long did it take to you to drive here? Do you still have my number?

Dan Speed · « **Reply #16 on:** May 09, 2007, 06:47:16 PM »

Friday night works for me. I'd normally be ready to go arond 5:30-6:00, but could get out of work earlier if need be. No need to call ahead for camping... Just show up and pick a spot. The price is per vehicle, so it doesn't realyly matter if we have 5 tent mahals or my little tent and your hammock. It seems to me it's about 4 hours from here to Indy, but we gain an hour due to the time zone. I still have your number if it still ends with a 4242. You planning on grandstands or GA?

Ultra · « **Reply #17 on:** May 09, 2007, 09:08:11 PM »

Quote from: Dan Speed on May 09, 2007, 06:47:16 PM

Friday night works for me. I'd normally be ready to go arond 5:30-6:00, but could get out of work earlier if need be. No need to call ahead for camping... Just show up and pick a spot. The price is per vehicle, so it doesn't really matter if we have 5 tent mahals or my little tent and your hammock. It seems to me it's about 4 hours from here to Indy, but we gain an hour due to the time zone. I still have your number if it still ends with a 4242. You planning on grandstands or GA?

We can get seats together. Which do you think are better?

The number is the same. Will they have trees to tie the hammock to?

Dan Speed · « **Reply #18 on:** May 13, 2007, 05:03:20 PM »

Not too many trees there. It's mostly an open field.

Ultra · « **Reply #19 on:** May 13, 2007, 07:45:24 PM »

Quote from: Dan Speed on May 13, 2007, 05:03:20 PM

Not too many trees there. It's mostly an open field.

That means no hammock.

Do you want to get tickets together?

Dan Speed · « **Reply #20 on:** May 24, 2007, 03:56:15 PM »

Charlie, check your messages.

mpatrizio · « **Reply #21 on:** June 14, 2007, 08:38:21 AM »

Guys,

I've got a dinner reservation for 20 people (13 confirmed) at 7:30 Friday night at Bucca Di Beppo downtown Indy. Whoever makes it is welcome to join. Ultra, Dan, etc.... A few of us former CC members will be meeting up at this dinner, as well as a few other F1 fans. The reservation is under Michael Patrizio.

Every night I intend to make a visit to Cavanaughs Irish pub after dinner so hooking up should not be difficult. Hope to see you all there!

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #22 on:** June 14, 2007, 09:11:18 AM »

Have a great time guys!

Ultra · « **Reply #23 on:** June 14, 2007, 09:55:34 AM »

Dan can no longer go. With the warmth I have gotten from the other attendees, I have chosen to make the trek another year.

$:-\$

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #24 on:** June 14, 2007, 10:05:18 AM »

That blows.

This being perhaps my last Father's day locally, I plan to go by the cemetery and pay my respects in person to my dad one more time, and then spend a little time with the two older kids, whom I'm sure I won't be seeing every fathers day any more. Maybe they will watch the race with me, but they never got into it like I did. Still trying to brainwash the youngest, who began to waver when Renault lost the yellow and blue livery, which she quite liked.

Perhaps this is a good year to skip anyway, since my favorite team seems to have once again lost its way.

News:

Author Topic: Wanna Go To The USGP? (Read 3796 times)