Indy 500 - Help me Plan

[Disney Anna]

I would like to spend a special surprise trip to see the Indy 500 this May 2006. It is my husband's life dream to see this race in person.

Does anyone know: Where is the best place to get seating?
Do we have to buy parking?
A good hotel to stay in.

I thought it might be nice/easier to stay in a hotel that could shuttle us to the Speedway.

I'd appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

[rnd4life]

I'm from Indiana, don't live too far at all from the speedway but I've never been to a race. My suggestion would be this website

www.indy.org

That should help you get started.

 

[we3disneygo]

we used to live in Indy...went to a couple of races....we paid 5.00 and sleep in a pup tent in someone's yard! it was a wild time....cars full of pizza for sale driving thru the neighborbood....ok Brownsburg would be a nice area to stay in a hotel... I think there's a comfort suites. you had better make those ressies now.the tickets go on sale the day after last years race, we just got ticket down in the pit they call it, we saw pick up trucks with a plastic liner filled with water..bbq grills...all kinds of stuff.... this was the 80's.yes you have to pay to park.....they close the streets off going in to the park.have fun.

 

[lulubelle]

Because it is so popular and you are not familiar with the area, I would book a package (three days, two nights). We did that when we went to Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte. It includes hotel, some meals, bus transportation to/from the track and seats. Usually a few other perks. Ours included a cocktail party (free drinks & appetizers) with Buddy Baker on Friday night and a lunch buffet in a "tent" at the track - it is nice to have a place to rest, watch TV, sit in the shade. And a driver stopped by for questions and pix. Plus you bond with other fans in your group. It is pricey but a lot of fun. The bus part was the best so you did not have to fight crowds getting in/out of the track and if you had a few beers no worries of drinking and driving Good luck and have fun planning!

 

[Geoff_M]

I've worked the race for the last 15 years now. Here's what I'd recommend.

Tickets: The best place to sit is high in the middle of any of the turns. Turns 1 and 4 are the most desirable. Next desirable would probably be high in the "Short Chutes" (between T1 and T2, between T3 and T4). Next would be high up on the outside of the front straight, and then high inside along Tower Terrace. I think IMS just put tickets on sale to the general public (after giving last year's holders the chance to renew) or are about to do so.

Hotels: Fortunately, the hotel inventory has increased around Indy and outrageous prices with three night minimums are no longer standards (though still exist at the higher end places). Outside of Indy, I'd look at lodging in Anderson, Terre Haute, or Bloomington. Camping is allowed in a vast expanse of grassly land known as the "Coke Lot" (named after the drink, not the drug)... but this is only recommended if you really like loud intoxicated people (often armed with illegal fireworks) around you until 3 AM.

Parking: You can "pre-pay" for a lot from the Speedway, or park on one of the many residential front yards around the track (the city grew around the track since 1909).

Shuttles: I'm not aware of any hotels that run shuttles to the race, but Indy transit runs them from downtown (Indy Zoo parking lot, IIRC) and another location.

 

[mom2grace]

I too have lived in Indy my whole life.

If you want to do it "right", stay downtown. There are a few courtyards and a best western, and then pricier even up to the new Conrad which might be open by then. The advantage to being downtown is that you will be able to walk to all of the attractions except for the track. There will be a 2-3 night minimum stay whether you are downtown or in the suburbs.

Downtown Indy is really a gem, it's well worth the extra money to stay there. We have a great mall right downtown with restaurants and bars, nightlife galore. Great museums too!

The city provides busses to shuttle to the track, or you could drive your rental car. It isn't far from downtown, maybe 5 miles (but it could take 1 hour or more on race day)

If you stay in a suburb or other city altogether, you will miss out on the atmosphere of race weekend.

Downtown Indy is a safe, fun, and happy place.