Planning trip to Daytona 500....

[Jennifer_ni]

Hi,

I am making the trip over to the 500 in Feb from Ireland and im just wondering if anyone can recommend where to sit and if there is info that could be helpful to make life easy when i get there?

Thanks,

Jennifer

[Robbchevy]

Hi, i went to the 500 this year on my honeymoon and sat in the weatherly box seats. There were to the left of the start line more or less opposite the pit entry. We book our tickets through daytona speedway. Only thing is that you have to pick up your tickets at the track on the day. I rember we had row no. 16 but in fact that row was only four rows from the fence.
If you go to the daytona speedway site the have a 3d seating plan which helps to choose seats

Hope this helps Robb

[Jennifer_ni]

Thats great Rob thanks!! Despite being only 4 rows from the fence did you have good view? Is it difficult to collect the tickets on the day?

[skycafe]

Go to the Daytona International Speedway website, they have full seating maps. Pretty much any front stretch grandstand seat is going to give you a good view of the racing. Actually, going higher up the stands gives you a better overall view, but is less intimate. You will enjoy the experience. Even though I have lived in Central Florida all my life, I am not really a stock car fan. I have been to 500 and July race. Amazing experience for any gearhead. The start is amazing.

[Robbchevy]

We had a good veiw we could see the cars comming off turn 4 and all the way down to turn 1. We also had a giant screen opposite us near the pit lane enterance. Didnt know that would be there.Collecting the tickets wasnt a problem, we got there at 7.30ish just after the gates opened. Make sure you get fan zone passes aswell when you get tickets. Its an awsome experience i loved every second of the day

[Jennifer_ni]

Thats great guys! Thanks!

[JHamilton]

Do not stay at the Days Inn Daytona. It is conviently located across the street from Harley Davidson of Daytona. And it's a Days Inn.

On a serious note, Daytona is like any other oval. The best tickets are as high up as you can get and the closer to turn 1, the better IMO.

[Jennifer_ni]

Thanks for that tip, we are planning on staying on International drive in Orlando!

[Robbchevy]

We stayed in kissimmee and we left at 5am to get there for when the gates opened. There is free parking when you get to daytona. Lot 3 is the massive free car park. Its a few miles away from the track but you get shuttled in by busses. We managed to stay in a hotel on daytona beach, rather than get stuck in huge traffic jams getting back to orlando

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by Jennifer_ni

Thanks for that tip, we are planning on staying on International drive in Orlando!

Allow a bunch of time for the commute to the track (and back)

[thebear]

Originally Posted by Jennifer_ni

Hi,

I am making the trip over to the 500 in Feb from Ireland and im just wondering if anyone can recommend where to sit and if there is info that could be helpful to make life easy when i get there?

Thanks,

Jennifer

Let's start with the airport.

(live) Weather report:

http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/current/KMCO.html

Upon arrival:

http://www.orlandoairports.net/arrive/index.htm There is a link at the bottom of the screen that will provide an airport map [.pdf]

Where are we?

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=...ed=0CCkQ8gEwAA

The D.I.S. website is here:

http://www.daytonainternationalspeed...?homepage=true

Be sure to check the link to "Travel Packages" in the `slide show window'. At present it is concentrating on the upcoming "Coke Zero 400" but some information is availble if you click on the "Upcoming Events" link on the r/h side of the screen and scroll down (and down and down). They include event tickets, Orlando hotel rooms and bus transport to and from. No driving/parking problems.

P.M. for more details

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Im bias but the top couple rows of the Roberts tower are some of the best seats Ive had in motorsports. Shaded from sun or rain, incredible value compared to the Sprint Tower (and you dont get sunburnt like up there), a perfect view of pit exit and the pits, and you can see the entire circuit except for part of the backstretch because of the Goodyear building in the Infield.

As someone who attends from outside the States, I usually find it helpful to go with a tour company, especially for the transportation.

[skycafe]

[QUOTE=thebear;2899790They include event tickets, Orlando hotel rooms and bus transport to and from. No driving/parking problems.[/QUOTE]

I would so take up the bus transport. Years ago I went to 500 and 400 via bus. There was a specific bus lane, so jumped past traffic at the speedway. Parking was held for us, outside turn 4. We did get clogged up in traffic coming back, but we were comfy in the bus, which was stocked with coolers of beer, and a driver who was dealing with the traffic frustration while we drank beer.

And, if you are coming to Central Florida for the race and probably theme parks (blah), really try to get to the Space Center too. It is an hour away from I Drive, the cost is not that much, and history has been made there. There are some great beaches and if you are interested, an outstanding wildlife area near by, with world famous birding that time of year. Also, loads of sea side eateries offering great local seafood and the ever popular gator nuggets. You have to, you just have to.

[fieldodreams79]

Be sure to bring your tank top, cut off jean shorts and Avias; I understand that is the standard attire for Northern FLA these days. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt if you had a mullet.

[dirtymacca]

[QUOTE=fieldodreams79;2899893]Be sure to bring your tank top, cut off jean shorts and Avias; I understand that is the standard attire for Northern FLA these days. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt if you had a mullet.




Are these outfits available at the Walmart Boutique and Fishing Tackles Stores?

[Jennifer_ni]

I cant thank you all enough for all your help, i am going to now look in to the bus option as i had planned to hire a car but would much prefere to be driven there

Unfortunatly i am going to do the whole tourist thing while there with the theme parks etc, may as well make the most of it when coming so far! I will take in the space centre if it is reccomended, i had wondered was it worth heading out to or not.

As for my outfit....I will for sure be bringing my 48 tshirt (sorry if this upsets anyone)!

Can anyone tell me what sort of weather to expect at this time of Feb (18 feb to 3rd March), should i be packing jumpers etc or is it likley to be warm enough to to take in water parks etc? Keeping in mind im coming from ireland and anything above 20c is warm here haha

Thanks again for your help guys!!

[thebear]

[QUOTE=dirtymacca;2900061]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Be sure to bring your tank top, cut off jean shorts and Avias; I understand that is the standard attire for Northern FLA these days. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt if you had a mullet.



Are these outfits available at the Walmart Boutique and Fishing Tackles Stores?

Of course. You will find them in many places around Florida and the Southeastern US.

Then again Daytona in FEB can be anywhere from 9° C to 27° C.

[Jennifer_ni]

[QUOTE=thebear;2900211]

Originally Posted by dirtymacca

Then again Daytona in FEB can be anywhere from 9° C to 27° C.

Great.....so i will have no idea what to pack and being a typical woman i always bring to much as it is!!

[thebear]

[QUOTE=Jennifer_ni;2900227]

Originally Posted by thebear

Great.....so i will have no idea what to pack and being a typical woman i always bring to much as it is!!

If you possibly can (within baggage allowance/weight restrictions) bring the largest suitcase that you can find. The only thing inside should be your next smaller suitcase with clothes & things. You will fill the big one here, aside fom the £ - $ exchange rate you will find much lower prices here.

Please P.M. as I have a lot of material information to provide.

Space Center is a definite must provided you have the time.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Jennifer_ni

As for my outfit....I will for sure be bringing my 48 tshirt (sorry if this upsets anyone)!

You'll like Daytona in February. Enjoy!

[skycafe]

[QUOTE=thebear;2900211]

Originally Posted by dirtymacca

Then again Daytona in FEB can be anywhere from 9° C to 27° C.

Oh no, we in Florida have gone C now? Where did F go? No wonder we have issues.

Really, really try to do the Space Center. From Orlando you are going to end up committing a day, but it is well worth it. At the moment, it is about $43 and $33 for little ones. (that is US Dollars and not your funny foreign money, but you will figure it out ) Go to Ron Jon's (world famous) Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach while you are over there. Great seafood places in the area and nearby at the Port.

I am a life long denzian of Central Florida and am familiar with the area. I am only too happy to give advice. (I know where pubs are too.... )

You will have a blast.
Robert

[Jennifer_ni]

[QUOTE=skycafe;2900367]

Originally Posted by thebear

Oh no, we in Florida have gone C now? Where did F go? No wonder we have issues.

Really, really try to do the Space Center. From Orlando you are going to end up committing a day, but it is well worth it. At the moment, it is about $43 and $33 for little ones. (that is US Dollars and not your funny foreign money, but you will figure it out ) Go to Ron Jon's (world famous) Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach while you are over there. Great seafood places in the area and nearby at the Port.

I am a life long denzian of Central Florida and am familiar with the area. I am only too happy to give advice. (I know where pubs are too.... )

You will have a blast.
Robert

Thats great, i have penciled in a day now for the space centre. I like dealing in $$$ as when you convert it €€€ it looks so much cheaper haha! I will get 2 tickets ordered up in the next few weeks along with the Daytona ones!

Looking at the Ron Jon's website and i might just have to take a visit to there, some real nice stuff!

Perhaps you could pm me some recommendations for accommodation, i have some nice looking cheap places in mind on International drive quite close to Universal but some local knowledge would be great!

[thebear]

[QUOTE=skycafe;2900367]

Originally Posted by thebear

Oh no, we in Florida have gone C now? Where did F go? No wonder we have issues.

Really, really try to do the Space Center. From Orlando you are going to end up committing a day, but it is well worth it.

You will have a blast.

The C indications were for UK consumption.

[Jennifer_ni]

[QUOTE=thebear;2900477]

Originally Posted by skycafe

The C indications were for UK consumption.

Or IRELAND as this case is!!

[skycafe]

[QUOTE=thebear;2900477]

Originally Posted by skycafe

The C indications were for UK consumption.

Oh, those people! It is always cold and rainy there, I often wonder how they keep the beer warm.

Jennifer, I will send you a PM