Noob Race Questions

[auctionking]

I have been to Toronto and Surfers Paradise races a few times back in the early 90's , but I haven't been to a race live since other than the 2005 British GP. I am an avid CC fan through TV, RD and the websites.

So as a relative noob attending Vegas this year, what should I know to make the most of the race?

I bought a seat in the Grandstand Hospitality Village area so that should get me in all the usual areas

I am presuming they have a FM frequency to listen to the race commentary.

What else should I do in advance? Any fan clubs to join to get in some special areas?

Look forward to your ideas.

AK........FTG

[cartcat]

Hydration is critical; I saw a fan go down in Cleveland due to the heat one year.

Oh, and have fun!

[SID]

You have the FTG part down, so the rest should be easy....

Bring (or rent on-site) a scanner with headphones that reduce noise at least 25db. This is CRITICAL.

If you havent done so, join CCIC club.

Vegas can be hotter than the inside of a dog, even in April, so I agree, hydration is key.

Gatorade + vodka = buzz w/hydration

Look for the guy who is MUCH better looking in person. That will be me. I'll help with anything I can.

Avoid the deep-fried twinkies on Freemont.

[Boogie711]

You know what? I'll be the first to admit this looks dorky, but I can't stand ear plugs, just because you still can't hear anything. My father-in-law wear little FM radio's with earbuds to listen to the PA system, but then put on those ear-muff style hearing protectors you see at construction sites (over the ear buds).

We're the only ones wearing them. We look like dorks. One year, just to complete the image, we swapped one ear, so instead of a yellow pair and a red pair, we both wore mis-matched earmuffs. But - we heard every word over the PA system.

When a ChampCar or 12 goes by, it drowns out anything you can possibly hear over the PA system. It gets worse when after a long greenflag period, they get stretched out so there's a car screaming by once every 4 seconds. I'm amazed people know what's going on!

But my father in law and I are there, whooping it up, looking like dorks, and are fully aware that Oriol Servia and Nelson Phillipe just touched wheels, even though it won't show up on the Jumbotron for another minute yet. We know who's making up ground, all that stuff.

Besides - the PA announcer for the Champcar races is a cool guy. We like to be able to hear him. :)

[Goobers]

EARPLUGS???? what are you people 100? there's nothing like the raw sound of the turbos......no earplugs needed, unless you're on a weekend pass from your nursing home like these two.
Just keep your eyes on the jumbotron whenever there is no action in front of you...you'll be more than fine.....earplugs, sheeeshhh!!!


:)

[Strange Frogg]

Sorry, Goobers, but I've been around aircraft and racing my whole life, and I know all too well the realities of hearing loss.....and I'm 36. I will always STRONGLY encourage hearing protection at races, in small aircraft, etc. The sound is just as sweet, and you'll be able to enjoy it for a few extra decades if you protect yourself now.

Plus, as the others said, it's nice to have some idea of what's going on from PA/radio, scanner, etc.

Back to the topic at hand -- your race kit MUST include...

1 -- COMFORTABLE SHOES. This is road racing, and you're going to want to walk around a lot. I recommend at least two viewing spots PER SESSION to really get the feel of things during P&Q. Plan it out in advance, know your routes, carry a map.

2 -- SUNSCREEN. Apply it when you first get to the track, and at least at lunch and once mid-afternoon. Carcinoma is BAD.

3 -- As mentioned earlier, HYDRATION. The only races I've worked in Las Vegas have been oval races at night, so a street course during the day out to be...warm...bring a really good hat, too.

4 -- A SCANNER and a frequency sheet. Racing Radios and others will have the sheets available for $5, and it's worth it for them to be correct. We course marshalls will be on land lines rather than radios but you might get lucky and find some of race control's frequencies for pit stewards and the like.

5 -- A PROGRAM is good, especially if you're not really up on all the undercard races. LVGP will only have Atlantic and Historic GP, but it'll probably be worth your while to spend a little Quality Surfing Time before the event to get an idea of who the hotshoes in Atlantic will be. Remember, your ticket isn't just for a CCWS race, it's for a whole weekend of fun. Don't forget the value of the other races the promoter is bringing to you.

6 -- INFORMATION!!! Even as a marshall I always have copies of the results from the previous day, points standings if applicable, all that jazz off the web. If you don't mind dropping a couple of Franklins look into an iCard system which you can use to keep track of live T&S. If you have a PDA, the CCWS live timing is Java-based so it won't work on Windows CE-based handhelds (the HTML version does for Grand-Am, but I don't know if CCWS has the HTML or not) but it might just work on a Blackberry or Palm, haven't had a chance to try it yet.

And I'm not supposed to tell you this or ever ever ever encourage it, but if you do end up with a gate guard for the paddock or what have you that maybe isn't watching their post....and you manage to sneak into a *******SAFE******* place that maybe your little pass isn't supposed to get you.....just act casual, and walk like you know where you're going and you know how to get there.... :)

[Beano]

I know official website list a few events, What sort of stuff is everyone planning to attend? I wanna make sure and get the most out of this trip, and mot miss something i should see

Mark :burnout:

[Husky42]

I agree with Sunscreen.

3 Days in the sun drinking beer, watching the race hanging out with crapies is magical. But if you forget the sunscreen be prepaired to be miserable the week after. Bay Day two I was already feelin the effects and when I was walking by the I think Quest booth they were giving out sunscreen. I made a break for it and grabbed a couple bottles.

Also.. Really really comfortable jeans. I didnt wear my most comfortable pair for two days. Sunday I finally wised up. But from all the walking around PIR (from motorhomes to concessions to paddock) I swear isnt it almost a mile from Ronbo's site to the Bridgestone bridge, it sure feels that way.. Chaffing will occur. Jus tthink walking all day in hot weather in a pair of tight jeans just doesnt work.

Bring enough beer if your camping at the track. So you dont pay outrageous concession prices.

Hyrdration is definately key as well. Walking around I definately was glad PDX has plenty of acces to water. But my excessive drinking made it worse thoughout the day, but it was ok. Beer is good.

But as far as Goobers comment, well i didnt use them and I subject myself to much louder sounds with my stereo in my car so i'll probly go death, but I love the raw sound of cars so i'm not a fan of ear plugs. Plus they never stay in.

Energy Drinks. I found redbull to be one of my best friends that weekend also. Your up from 6 AM easily until 11-12 PM every day. Alot of people in the motorhome area drink and have a good time all night long and if your a wandering sould like myself and like to bs with people at various sites your nights can last.

Other then that, a positive attitude and willigness to meet some of the coolest people you will ever find is a MUST :D

Enjoy the weekend!!


BTW - Last year was my first year at a CCWS race and i'll not make the same mistakes I did last year.

Auction king, just curious why is your nick auction king? I work for an Auction house so it peeked my interest.

[Miatanut]

EARPLUGS???? what are you people 100? there's nothing like the raw sound of the turbos......no earplugs needed, unless you're on a weekend pass from your nursing home like these two.
Just keep your eyes on the jumbotron whenever there is no action in front of you...you'll be more than fine.....earplugs, sheeeshhh!!!


:)

That's how I've traditionally felt. Last year was my first year using a scanner, which meant I was using headphones. I felt I was missing out on something (the noise confirming that I was there in person), but I'm now a convert to scanning, so I enjoy the noise at the support races and enjoy the inside look the scanner gives me at the main event.

[ABES]

As for earplugs. Champcar ala 2007 differ from CART ala 1997 by about 3000 rpm or so, and I find them far quieter than they used to be. I brought them to Edmonton in '05 but didn't need 'em.

I imagine it will depend on your seats, proximity to the track, and surrounding buildings for echo.

[cartcat]

The Chicago race in 2002 was super loud, Mid Ohio a few months later I didn't need them. I bring mine and use them as needed. Better be safe than sorry.

[astinus4]

As for earplugs. Champcar ala 2007 differ from CART ala 1997 by about 3000 rpm or so, and I find them far quieter than they used to be. I brought them to Edmonton in '05 but didn't need 'em.

I imagine it will depend on your seats, proximity to the track, and surrounding buildings for echo.

At surfers in 2004 and 2005 I certainly didn't need earplugs in the stands. However I probably should have worn a pair when I stood by the catch fencing (with the cars screaming by a couple of metres away). It wasn't piercing loud, but my ears began to ache after a while.

[KLang]

I am presuming they have a FM frequency to listen to the race commentary.

I wouldn't assume this at a temp course, it is probably unlikely. As others have said, a scanner with good headphones.

[Laguna Tuna]

Four rolls of quarters - pass them out to the people dressed in white at the flag station in turn 4. We'll split the winnings with you next day. :D