GP of St. Pete Noob

[cinemafunk]

So I'm planning on going to the GP of St. Pete. I only went to one IndyCar race and that was at Dover in 1998 or 99.

I've never been to a street race and I want to get the best experience. Are the reserved weekend seats really the best? Are there radio stations where I can listen to the broadcast and get commentary? How much access do I get with a pit pass?

Any and all help will be appreciated.

[paper]

do it all,, its fun to walk the track, and have a seat. the back straight facing the harbor while seeing the cars come at you , turn and speed away is good. turn one gives you the whole runway and a very exciting entry. if youre not wanting to be on the beach which will be close to an hour to go 10 miles,, the motels on US 75 in Ellenton are juts 23 minutes with no stops other than a toll booth on the skyway. Downtown is really good for music . food and the pier,, All in All its good,,,,,

[cinemafunk]

I live in Valrico which is about an hour and 15 minute drive so transportation back and forth isn't too much of any issue. I would like to be in view of pit lane.

[ramberg]

Motel 6 in Tampa is $43.99 that weekend. Just sayin'...

I sat in turn 1 last year and it was cool, but there is no video screen nearby. That sucked. I moved to the front straight for 2014.

[goldie19]

I always recommend the three day ticket in turn 10 and paddock pass. So pending the first two days wandering around, getting up close in the paddock, seeing all the angles. Race day I settle into 10 across from the bay, throw on my headphones to hear the radio call, and watch all the action in 10 and on the video board right in front of you.

beautiful area, my family will be returning after 2 year absence while our spring break fell over Barber. Enjoy it! I'd also recommend staying near Johns Pass Madiera Beach area. VRBO.com is your friend if you want to spend a little linger in the area and have decent accomadations

[RollinM]

I always recommend the three day ticket in turn 10 and paddock pass. So pending the first two days wandering around, getting up close in the paddock, seeing all the angles. Race day I settle into 10 across from the bay, throw on my headphones to hear the radio call, and watch all the action in 10 and on the video board right in front of you.

beautiful area, my family will be returning after 2 year absence while our spring break fell over Barber. Enjoy it! I'd also recommend staying near Johns Pass Madiera Beach area. VRBO.com is your friend if you want to spend a little linger in the area and have decent accomadations

I agree, this is where we sit every year. We usually stay across the bay by the airport. I just renewed my tickets and am getting pretty geeked up about it already.

oops - I misread the post. We sit in "grandstand" 10 outside of turn 1.

[Glass Half Full]

We sit in "grandstand" 10 outside of turn 1.

Same here. Friday and Saturday are great for exploring the other viewing locations, and visiting the paddock areas. I agree with the mention that there's not a viewable screen for the folks like me who sit in Turn #1 on race day. Not a big deal to me, but others in my party are fairly irked by it.

The other great thing about St. Pete is the constant on-track action from the variety of series. Pirelli World Challenge is something I almost look forward to more than IndyCar. I believe Robby Gordon't Stadium Super Truck series will be there this time around, too, in addition to F2000, Pro Mazda, and Indy Lights. What a lineup!!

[Racewknd]

I just ordered race tix and airfare today. My sat & Sun tix are in 10B, Friday I'll hang out in stand over by marina and the along main straight. I highly recommend that stand in turn 1, lots of passing there.
IF you get the verizon app on your phone, you can listen to radio broadcast that way.

[cinemafunk]

I'm looking at the track map (http://www.gpstpete.com/images/2013_...p_10-17-13.pdf) and I see that Grandstand 10 has a Video Board facing it. Unless there are visual obstructions, that does seem to be a great place to watch. Part of me wants to be on the front straight to see pit lane action.

Also, what radio stations play race commentary? Is there particular equipment I should get? Can I bring a cooler inside?

[Racewknd]

No coolers. You can see cars coming off pit road from Grandstand 10.

[RollinM]

I'm looking at the track map (http://www.gpstpete.com/images/2013_...p_10-17-13.pdf) and I see that Grandstand 10 has a Video Board facing it. Unless there are visual obstructions, that does seem to be a great place to watch. Part of me wants to be on the front straight to see pit lane action.

Also, what radio stations play race commentary? Is there particular equipment I should get? Can I bring a cooler inside?

There is a video screen there but it is kind of difficult to see. It's pretty far away and the angle shown on the map might not be exactly representative of the actual screen position. I still feel though that this is the best grandstand.

[Unzerdog]

Motel 6 in Tampa is $43.99 that weekend. Just sayin'...

I sat in turn 1 last year and it was cool, but there is no video screen nearby. That sucked. I moved to the front straight for 2014.

We should meet up Ramberg. My brother and i will be there.

St. Pete does not have PIT Passers. Paddock area only. It is unlike ovals that allow us onto pit lane proper. I don't typically bother with the paddock, it is free on friday, I do believe.

Have a reserved seat, turn 1 or the front stretch, then spend a lot of time walking the track. Goldie knows whats up.

[ramberg]

that's the video screen that was used for the the front straight last year. If they angle it towards turn 1, it will help, but it's a LONG way away....

There is a video screen there but it is kind of difficult to see. It's pretty far away and the angle shown on the map might not be exactly representative of the actual screen position. I still feel though that this is the best grandstand.

[paper]

that's the video screen that was used for the the front straight last year. If they angle it towards turn 1, it will help, but it's a LONG way away....

ramberg .. you and unzerdog should meet,, youre both incredible photographers,,

[ramberg]

Pat - we're going to at St. Pete - you gonna go this year??

ramberg .. you and unzerdog should meet,, youre both incredible photographers,,