It's never too early to start thinking about TR........we get excited for next year the day we get back from this years ! [cl We are going, been doing it for about 30 years now. Still have some loose ends to tie up (Dan's motor still needs to come back from the machine shop and get built, but we have 105 days left. This year we are trailering all three cars, I think, I won't go through another year of 6 hours on the interstate with 4.30 gears.
As for hotels, you really have to look around and go onto some of those discount hotel room websites, like Priceline.com and others. Over the years we have stayed at lots of different ones, all the way from staying out of town in DeLand, to staying right at the La Playa on AIA. We thought staying right near BelAire Plaza would be great as that is where a lot of the nighttime action centers around, but we hated it. If you left to go cruising there were no parking spots left when you got back.
Gastrick and his family stay at one hotel right across from the Speedway, and it is nice, we stayed there too one year (I forget the name, but he will know) It was pretty convenient and parking wasn't much of a problem. Rates are pretty much the same, but there are deals if you look around.
We are taking a motorhome and staying at a campground. We refuse to stay in any hotels any more because of so many hot rods and customs being stolen right from hotel parking lots. We took a motorhome last year and loved it and felt safe.
For anyone going for the first time, here are some tips:
1) To get into the Speedway with your car you have to get there EARLY. Last year my Sons sat in two hour lines getting in, and they did get there early.
2) The cruise spots at night are the East end of the track (they have an event there with lots of things to do and see) and, Bel Aire Plaza on AIA. AIA itself is stop and go cruising and it is fun to just sit on a bench and watch all the old cars go by
Bel Aire Plaza is cool but you never know what you are going to get any particular year. One year the owners of the Plaza wanted to limit or ban cars from coming in and parking (they pretty much take over the whole plaza) but that fell through when the merchants complained because rodders do bring in lots of business those nights. Another year they wanted to charge for parking, or something ridiculous like that. But it always seems to work out ok. One year we were rudely ushered out at the end of the night by cops who threated to arrest anyone who didn't leave immediately.
3) The cops are pretty cool and leave you alone, AS LONG AS YOU AREN'T A COMPLETE IDIOT. We drive all over with open headers, and goose our cars a little, but if you cross the good sense line you will be pulled over. Some years they have been tougher than other years, and it all depends on how much the regular residents complain about things. One year it really got out of hand, the cops were nowhere to be seen and people were doing water box burnouts right on AIA all night long. That still happens but not as much.
4) There are lots of places to eat breakfast and dinner. Hotels usually have a Continental breakfast offered free, and the prices at restaurants are just normal for anyplace. We have a few favorite places we always hit every year for dinner, like Hog Heaven on AIA, and some seafood place that I can't remember the name of.
5) The swap meet is HUGE and TERRIFIC. IT takes up half of the infield. If you can't find it there, it doesn't exist. Lots of new and used stuff from major vendors and just regular guys selling off their unwanted stuff. Food prices inside the event are pretty reasonable, IF YOU LOOK AROUND. We always hit the Johnsonville Brat trailer because of $ 3.00 brats, and some places sell hot dogs for a couple of bucks. You will also see lots of signs for $ 1-$ 2 bottled water and soda. I hate spending money on food when I could be buying goodies instead!
Don