Baltimore Questions and Tips (for those attending)

[Nigel Red5]

Ive often thought many of the grandstands should just be general admission throughout the weekend. Make it a more even price, promote the hell out of it and have limited premium seating in key areas.

[Esperante]

couldn't agree more... I actually think more than last year certainly on Friday.... There was waayyyy more people than I expected for a friday.

We just got home from Baltimore. We totally agree about the number of people. The Indy paddock area alone felt like Saturday/Sunday from last year at times. Lots of people, lots of families with small children (all with various sorts of ear protection!). The Fan Zone in the Convention Center was really busy at times - I was initially skeptical about it, but it's just great. During qualifying for GT3 Cup and ALMS, we were in the stands between start/finish and Turn 1 - the stands were packed. It was great to see all these people on a Friday!

[pburnett]

I thought the crowd was great for Friday. Hopefully the weather forecast holds and we get a great crowd tomorrow and Sunday.

couldn't agree more... I actually think more than last year certainly on Friday.... There was waayyyy more people than I expected for a friday.

[Nigel Red5]

What about IndyCar? I don't think they allow it at GPoB.

There may be limited Pit lane passes available but in general, no, there is virtually no fan access to pit lane. ALMS lines up on the main straight and are able to start on their own. Unfortunately that would be pretty hard for the Indy crews. . Working the race in the capacity I do is great. I was in the pits when the drivers loaded up and started the final practice today. It's very tight with ALMS and indycar all set up at the same time. Ill try to get some cell pics uploaded tonight. I watched most of the session looking between the crews straight down the entrance of the pits toward turn 4. I wish I had a decent camera with me. The cars appear out of nowhere as they crest the hill and then go through 5-6-7 and down the pit straight.

I thought the crowd was great for Friday. Hopefully the weather forecast holds and we get a great crowd tomorrow and Sunday.

[ursusdave]

Grand Prix of Baltimore photos & videos taken by a General Admission Ticket holder in 2012. There is plenty to do again at this year's event, lots of choices for food, and nearby streets and walkways are rarely crowded. You can also get real close-up on the racing action! There is a wide variety of cool, fun, interesting and educational places to spend part of the day at for those who aren't there for all day racing action. Cruise on through my photos & videos of last year's event and see how 'sweet it is' bound to be again!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ursusdave/sets/72157635269625344/

[Grizzlor]

No pass required for the alms fan walk! It was MAD last year.

What about IndyCar? I don't think they allow it at GPoB.

[Nigel Red5]

No pass required for the alms fan walk! It was MAD last year.

[Grizzlor]

Hey Nigel, are we allowed on the "grid" pre-race with a paddock pass?

[Nigel Red5]

One thing to be careful about is if you do leave the track, getting back into it can be a pain. It might've been better last year around Inner Harbor, I don't recall, but the first year, it was awful trying to get back in in the afternoon.

I was going to go Sunday, but it is just too much of a hassle to drive 2+ hours, take the train and then do the same to leave. Plus, I don't have much $ now. In the past, we camped at state parks and road the train in each day.

GA might be okay, but there definitely aren't as many good viewing areas as you would find at a natural terrain road course. For that matter, even with a seat you can't see much of the track. It is a cool weekend and a fun time though.

As someone else said, you can't really see the pits too well. The only viewing area was looking down them from behind, so you could see the cars come in pretty well and the pits closest to you, but the rest of the pits were hard to see.

It is a cool weekend and fun time. It is definitely a different experience when compared to ovals and road courses. It is especially neat when it is a place you have been at during normal times.

Make sure that at some point during ALMS practice you head to the beginning of the front straight. Hearing the Corvette engines roar off of the buildings is just awesome!

definitely spend some time down in turn 12 and between 12 and the chicane. It's probably the loudest place at the track and the beers cheap. They hadn't put up many banners yet so I don't know what will be blocked but the Andretti Club is set up in the Marriotts plaza area outside of the track in that same area. Luna del Sea has a great area set up outside of the track. I didn't make it down to turn 1 this evening but the area around the fountains and where the climbing walls and Ferris wheel have been is apparently all party zone this year. 98 rock is broadcasting from 6 to 10 and at 3 on Friday. They have mixed things up a little this year.

[PhillyIRL]

One thing to be careful about is if you do leave the track, getting back into it can be a pain. It might've been better last year around Inner Harbor, I don't recall, but the first year, it was awful trying to get back in in the afternoon.

I was going to go Sunday, but it is just too much of a hassle to drive 2+ hours, take the train and then do the same to leave. Plus, I don't have much $ now. In the past, we camped at state parks and road the train in each day.

GA might be okay, but there definitely aren't as many good viewing areas as you would find at a natural terrain road course. For that matter, even with a seat you can't see much of the track. It is a cool weekend and a fun time though.

As someone else said, you can't really see the pits too well. The only viewing area was looking down them from behind, so you could see the cars come in pretty well and the pits closest to you, but the rest of the pits were hard to see.

It is a cool weekend and fun time. It is definitely a different experience when compared to ovals and road courses. It is especially neat when it is a place you have been at during normal times.

Make sure that at some point during ALMS practice you head to the beginning of the front straight. Hearing the Corvette engines roar off of the buildings is just awesome!

[Grizzlor]

If I am going with just a GA admission ticket for Sunday and driving into the city Sunday morning and out after the race, what are some places to actually see the race? Don't have a ticket yet, but considering it. I just don't want to go and then miss all of the racing.

Never been to a street race before, how is it best to keep up with all of the racing given limited viewing areas? Is there a GA area which lets you have a view of a turn or two for some passing AND a straight while still being able to see a video board?

Would it be possible if I dont mind doing a little walking to park in a neighborhood on the street to avoid traffic (and paying)?

There are places to watch from, sections of fencing in between grandstands for instance. The straightaway to the SE end of the course by Camden Yards is GA. I figure the crowd will be somewhat lighter than last year, allowing more space.

SO a GA ticket is recommended then?

I have a crazy schedule for this race as I'm taking a 12:30 AM train out of CT Sunday morning and arriving in Bmore at 6...so I'll be at the gates when they open.

Also, anyone want to hang out? I'm doing the race solo and have only been to oval events(New Hampshire and Pocono). My normal race companion is in Aruba right now. Jerk. Haha. I'll have to kill about 6 hours after the race for my 11PM train ride home! Gonna be a loooong day.

I bought a GS seat by turn 1, because I want to sit for half the race largely because I injured my foot last week. I won't get there until around 11AM, and I head straight for the paddock, mill around until driver intros, hang out over there, then go to my seat.

[Robby]

SO a GA ticket is recommended then?

I have a crazy schedule for this race as I'm taking a 12:30 AM train out of CT Sunday morning and arriving in Bmore at 6...so I'll be at the gates when they open.

Also, anyone want to hang out? I'm doing the race solo and have only been to oval events(New Hampshire and Pocono). My normal race companion is in Aruba right now. Jerk. Haha. I'll have to kill about 6 hours after the race for my 11PM train ride home! Gonna be a loooong day.

[ACCP]

Ummm, I will check, but looking at last years pass hanging on my wall, The Paddock pass clearly said "3-Day"on it,and IIRC, the one day passes had the actual day on them and I seem to recall there were also different colors as my kids passes were friday only. I can defininteyl clear that up tomorrow.

I emailed them and they revised my tickets so I have 2 Saturday passes and 2 Sunday passes. Great service, now I'm worry free and I can just look forward to the weekend. Flying down tomorrow night...

[F1 and IndyCar]

If I am going with just a GA admission ticket for Sunday and driving into the city Sunday morning and out after the race, what are some places to actually see the race? Don't have a ticket yet, but considering it. I just don't want to go and then miss all of the racing.

Never been to a street race before, how is it best to keep up with all of the racing given limited viewing areas? Is there a GA area which lets you have a view of a turn or two for some passing AND a straight while still being able to see a video board?

Would it be possible if I dont mind doing a little walking to park in a neighborhood on the street to avoid traffic (and paying)?

[Nigel Red5]

Ummm, I will check, but looking at last years pass hanging on my wall, The Paddock pass clearly said "3-Day"on it,and IIRC, the one day passes had the actual day on them and I seem to recall there were also different colors as my kids passes were friday only. I can defininteyl clear that up tomorrow.