Indy Virgin Needs some advice

[Indy500Help]

Okay...so here's the situation. We're loading up a 36 foot RV and a huge conversion van with 17 of our buddies and heading to the Indy 500. Some of us have been to races and I think we have the tailgating thing on lockdown (plenty of food, beer, and ice), but we do have some questions specific to Indy.

Here's what we know so far...no alcohol sales on Sunday and we need to park in the Coke lot. But for the tailgate before the race we've heard two schools of thought. #1. Walk into the infield with a cooler in tow at about 6am and hunker down in turn three until the race. #2. Do it up in the Coke lot and then wander over to the infield about an hour or so before the race with 14 by 14 inch coolers.
Also, should we bring our own port o potty? If so where's a local place to get that?
Is there anything else I need to know?

Thanks for your help and anyone with suggestions can come claim a beer from me at the race! Just look for the giant Hawkeye flag in Coke lot.

[Racechic317]

Okay...so here's the situation. We're loading up a 36 foot RV and a huge conversion van with 17 of our buddies and heading to the Indy 500. Some of us have been to races and I think we have the tailgating thing on lockdown (plenty of food, beer, and ice), but we do have some questions specific to Indy.

Here's what we know so far...no alcohol sales on Sunday and we need to park in the Coke lot. But for the tailgate before the race we've heard two schools of thought. #1. Walk into the infield with a cooler in tow at about 6am and hunker down in turn three until the race. #2. Do it up in the Coke lot and then wander over to the infield about an hour or so before the race with 14 by 14 inch coolers.
Also, should we bring our own port o potty? If so where's a local place to get that?
Is there anything else I need to know?

Thanks for your help and anyone with suggestions can come claim a beer from me at the race! Just look for the giant Hawkeye flag in Coke lot.

I answered you on Indycar.com

[Grinder-Tank]

Well, I can tell you that there are tons of port a jons around to use. You really won't need to bring one. They also have shower trucks; it's $5 for a hot 5 minute shower. Since you're in the Coke lot, you can walk over to the Camp and Brew. It's right at the South East Corner of the that lot.

Glad to have you join us for the race!!! Enjoy.

[irlfan04]

Okay...so here's the situation. We're loading up a 36 foot RV and a huge conversion van with 17 of our buddies and heading to the Indy 500. Some of us have been to races and I think we have the tailgating thing on lockdown (plenty of food, beer, and ice), but we do have some questions specific to Indy.

Here's what we know so far...no alcohol sales on Sunday and we need to park in the Coke lot. But for the tailgate before the race we've heard two schools of thought. #1. Walk into the infield with a cooler in tow at about 6am and hunker down in turn three until the race. #2. Do it up in the Coke lot and then wander over to the infield about an hour or so before the race with 14 by 14 inch coolers.
Also, should we bring our own port o potty? If so where's a local place to get that?
Is there anything else I need to know?

Thanks for your help and anyone with suggestions can come claim a beer from me at the race! Just look for the giant Hawkeye flag in Coke lot.

A rain coat and sunscreen will be needed on race day.

[NDGator]

You must have PROTECTION

Hearing Protection

[KevMcNJ]

A rain coat and sunscreen will be needed on race day.

its funny because its true

[chil]

Right on.

Ya gotta love virgin Indy fans. Cause "once a virgin Indy fan, always a Indy fan."

Hawkeye, I will tell my kids to look for your flag and "welcome" you guys to Indy. They are probly goin' to be in 3 also and will say, "my dad chill sent me" I'll be in NWVistaDeck, sec 7, row B, #7 & #8.

I'll try and put the glasses on you race day.

[Sammich]

You must have PROTECTION

Hearing Protection

Yeah it will hurt the first time without it.

[slompappy]

man i wish i was about to see The 500 Mile Race for the first time. Saturday, May 31, 1986 was a life changing day for me as cheesy as that may sound


1)if you can get there Thursday do it, carb day is awesome but i recommend skipping the final practice session cause the first time you see the cars should be on the parade lap, then the pace lap then Bam, speed. that's something you will never forget. so go to the IPS race and concert it's the kind of fun young people are looking for.

2)sat night on 16th and Georgetown has gotten kinda Ghetto IMO but there is lots of fun to be had in the campgrounds

3)bring your spare Liver

[NoviVespa]

Welcome!!! Decided to give TrackForum a try after SpeedForum.

[MLAIRL]

man i wish i was about to see The 500 Mile Race for the first time. Saturday, May 31, 1986 was a life changing day for me as cheesy as that may sound


1)if you can get there Thursday do it, carb day is awesome but i recommend skipping the final practice session cause the first time you see the cars should be on the parade lap, then the pace lap then Bam, speed. that's something you will never forget. so go to the IPS race and concert it's the kind of fun young people are looking for.

2)sat night on 16th and Georgetown has gotten kinda Ghetto IMO but there is lots of fun to be had in the campgrounds

3)bring your spare Liver

Just a reminder, Carb day has moved to Friday.

[millrace]

I don't know about heading to the track at 6am. About 9 or 9:30am would be good. Wake up at 7 and have breakfast and beer. Then head to the hollowed grounds. Its a 5 minute walk from the Coke Lot.

Make sure you stand close to the Gordon Pipers as they march beneath the Tower Terrace. Its chilling.

Bring rain gear - jacket and pants, don't skimp or Dario and Bobby Unser will get upset.

Make sure you are there by 11am Friday when the Final practice session kicks off Carb Day. Not to miss, they are not playing around by that time. You get some really good incite for your picks, and they haul ass on those laps.

Do your picks after you hear some early morning driver interviews - you can hear the trepidation and the confidence and it helps you decide.

Watch out for hot grease squirting out of a smoked turkey leg.

Make sure you have your starting line up insert on the morning of race day. You can take your program to any stand and get one for free. Must have - but sometimes the sidepod sponsors change last minute, so have your headphones and your Indystar special sections, as well.

Ah, gee. What can I say? You're gonna love it. What a great year to give it a first go.

[Mack Too]

Turn three infield is a good place race morning.

[bbaker]

6am may be a little early if you spend the night on Georgetown Road. Indy can be a long day, and there is always plenty of time after the race for more tailgating.

Enjoy the traffic helicopters that start hovering around the area before sunrise. Quite the wakeup call!!

[flyingpylon]

If you're there to party, 6am may be a little early. But if you're there to soak it all in, 6am is a great time to arrive. You'll see a lot of interesting little things here and there and get to watch the whole place come alive and the excitement build as the green flag approaches.

If ever there was a time to sacrifice some sleep, race day would be it.