Indycar at Mid-Ohio

[Luke Zyla]

My son, Paul, and I are planning to go to the Indycar races at Mid-Ohio, Aug. 7-9. This is my very first experience with a professional race. Any advice on where to stay in the area? Is it worth the extra money for the deluxe ticket? The forecast indicates 60% scattered T-storms. Is it still worth going with that kind of forecast? Any other advice to make the weekend enjoyable?

[RobbieNelson]

The family and I will be attending on Saturday. I suggest on getting general admission and paddock passes. Grandstand seating isn't any better than a good spot in one of the corner fields. The pit lane pass isn't that spectacular either. However, the paddock is very cool in my opinion. I think we'll be going rain or shine; cause this ain't NAsCAR! ...they actually race in the rain.

[sts 50]

I've been to that one with my son. Very cool. I agree with Robbie on the paddock pass - gives you nearly unlimited access. We saw Danica up close (Ganassi, too, but c'mon). Don't forget that ALMS shares the weekend (saw their office trailers going through Charleston today) along with some support races. We were set to go this year, but family obligations prevent it. We stayed on the north side of Columbus, near Polaris, which is an hour or hour and a half away from the track but has all the comforts.

[Luke Zyla]

I decided to get the deluxe ticket for the entire weekend. I am going up on Friday afternoon and staying the entire weekend. My son is joining me on Sunday. Should be exciting. It was tough finding a place to stay. Hope the weather is okay.

[TimMaddox]

I have a friend that used to work for Mazda, she is trying to get me a pass so I might be there sunday.

Saturday, August 8*
7:00 a.m. * Gates and Registration Open*
8:00 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.* Qualifying – SPEED World Challenge Touring*
8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.* Practice – Indy Lights*
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Practice – IndyCar*
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Practice – American Le Mans Series Warm-Up*
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Qualifying – Indy Lights*
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Qualifying – IndyCar*
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.* American Le Mans Series Pre-Race Ceremony*
3:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.* Acura Sports Car Challenge – American Le Mans Series Race*
6:00 p.m. – 6:30p.m.* American Le Mans Series Post Race Ceremony*
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.* Atlantic Championship Race*
*
Sunday, August 9*
7:00 a.m. * Gates and Registration Open*
8:00 a.m. – 8:20 a.m.* Practice – Indy Lights Warm-Up*
8:45 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.* Practice – IndyCar Warm-Up*
10:00 a.m. * Indy Lights Pre-Race Ceremony*
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Indy Lights Race*
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SPEED World Challenge GT Race*
12:30 p.m. – 1:15p.m.* Indy 2-Seater Pace Car Rides*
1:00 p.m. * IndyCar Pre-Race Activities*
1:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.* Honda Indy 200 presented by Westfield Insurance (IndyCar Race)*
4:30 p.m. – 5:20 p.m. SPEED World Challenge Touring Race*

[RobbieNelson]

We had a great time. It rained a little during the morning. So, here's why you NEED to get a paddock pass.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3467/3806224328_7f2e1fc1dc_b.jpg


Look closely at how the wheel spokes looks machined to clear the caliper.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3806219406_51c059a693_b.jpg


Is that "50 cent" Scott Byrne?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3806227018_0b92734759_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3805403419_a742ed8cbe_b.jpg


Didn't get any shots of Tony's big nose...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3805386563_99c10a02ed_b.jpg


They use strings to do alignments?!?! Who would have thought...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3805384449_70eff66e08_b.jpg


Yes, she's failed to win races and she get TOO much attention. However, I've been a fan since I saw her drive in a Formula Atlantic race before she made it big.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3805388985_8628c4ce5c_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3806210076_daa2741d9b_b.jpg


Is she married?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3806214724_cc00173981_b.jpg


I could have reach out and touched her, but she probably would have decked me. She was a little upset with her qualifying performance.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/3806212392_2762fb14ea_b.jpg

[ShortysTRM]

Wow, either she needs a sunglasses sponsor, or she needs a better one lol. She also needs to cheer up a little by the looks of it. She could shave off at least 8 carats of weight just by taking out her earrings.

In 2007 at the F1 race at Indy, we showed up on Thursday and got the chance to walk through the paddock and see the behind the scenes stuff. It was awesome. We got to listen to the computer controlled engine warm-up sequences for different teams, watch them practice pit stops, etc. We met up with you a couple days later...

[SeanB]

Paddock Pass is awesome, great pictures... thanks for sharing!

My living vicariously Indycar story...

My brother got to spend a weekend with Kanaan and his team during testing at Indy a few years back. It was right after the company he works for signed a sponsorship deal with Kanaan's team. If you look on the side of the front wing on Kanaan's car you'll see their logo.

[gtfour77]

Awesome stuff Robbie!!! Thanks for sharing! And yes, I've seen the string alignentns a lot lately...I guess it's most reliable.

[sts 50]

Yes, she's married. Thanks for that shot of my boys, the Lizards! I'll be watching that one on tape tonight.

[Hillbilly]

Stringing a car has been done forever. Cheapest most accurate way of squaring up your car. Even though lasers are available for the same use just about everyone still uses strings. Great pics. Perfect example of why to always get pit passes.

[Luke Zyla]

I had a great time at the race. Couple things I learned. The deluxe ticket is worth it even for one day just because it is cheaper in the long run. Grandstand seating sucks. Infield parking is nice except on the main event race day. It took me an hour just to get out of the infield after the race. My ear became raw after wearing earplugs most of the time. The foam squishy ones are much more comfortable. The paddock pass is awesome. Pit pass is not needed because you can see everything you need to see from the paddock. I was impressed by how clean everything is. Not one drop of oil anywhere to be seen. The Indy race was not as exciting as some of the other events. Pretty much a parade for most of the time. Danica is hot. Race fans are really nice people. It would be more fun with a group of people and lots of food and drink. If you are just interested in the race itself, watch it on TV. The guy that had it really figured out had a canopy, comfortable chairs, great food, a good view of a section of the track, and a big screen TV. Best of all worlds.

[Luke Zyla]

I have a lot of cool pics that are very similar to Robbie's. I did get some of Danica in a less intense mood. I can not figure out how to post them here. (some assistance please) I have several on my facebook page.

[RobbieNelson]

I have several on my facebook page.

Speaking of which, why don't I have any of you on my friends list? Look me up!

http://www.facebook.com/robbienelson

[ShortysTRM]

Friend me! Friend me! lol