doozer
Matthew 6:2
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2006
- Messages
- 15,091
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- 306
first of all, the weather couldn't have been more perfect had mother nature let us chose it. i probably got a little more sun than i needed but i'll be OK.
secondly, what an incredible facility and well run event. the statement was made that the facility was the Augusta of road courses, and while i disagree, it wasn't too far fetched. they estimated the attendance to be around 100k and you never would have been able to tell. not bad for a track that only has a two lane road leading in and out. however, looks like work is underway to fix that. lots of facilities could look into what they're doing in Birmingham.
Saturday we arrived early enough to catch Indy Lights qualifying. and there was already a solid crowd. after IRL qualifying ended, which followed, we decided to hop on the tram and make a trip around the track. it was great to see the drivers meeting fans and signing autographs in the fan zone. as equally cool was the car coral which parked the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, Lotus, Austin Healy, BMW, and Merecedes. we returned to the turn 1 hill in time to catch the start of the Rolex race and remained there through the start of the Continental Tires Series featuring 60-something cars who couldn't stay off of each other.
Saturday night earned a trip to Dreamland for ribs. always worth the trip.
Sunday we bought Paddock passes to kill some time since we missed the AM warm-up. there we were able to get up close to several DP cars from the Saturday race. it's amazing the pieces they can break those cars down into.
perhaps the biggest thrill for me of the weekend was when i came face-to-face with my boyhood hero, Rick Mears. while i certainly would have loved to spend some time talking with him, i appreciated the time he took for a picture and an autograph. i was shaking like a little girl. it was kinda pathetic, especially from somebody who has met plenty of famous people before. also had the pleasure of meeting Sarah Fisher and the Round Mound of Rebound himself. Sarah is 100% class through and through and Chuck knows how to work a crowd.
the race was great because the number of cautions were limited to 2. it was really neat to see drivers work the blind and long turns alike. the course appeared to offer a challenge to the drivers, which is all you can ask for.
i'll be back next year.
secondly, what an incredible facility and well run event. the statement was made that the facility was the Augusta of road courses, and while i disagree, it wasn't too far fetched. they estimated the attendance to be around 100k and you never would have been able to tell. not bad for a track that only has a two lane road leading in and out. however, looks like work is underway to fix that. lots of facilities could look into what they're doing in Birmingham.
Saturday we arrived early enough to catch Indy Lights qualifying. and there was already a solid crowd. after IRL qualifying ended, which followed, we decided to hop on the tram and make a trip around the track. it was great to see the drivers meeting fans and signing autographs in the fan zone. as equally cool was the car coral which parked the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, Lotus, Austin Healy, BMW, and Merecedes. we returned to the turn 1 hill in time to catch the start of the Rolex race and remained there through the start of the Continental Tires Series featuring 60-something cars who couldn't stay off of each other.
Saturday night earned a trip to Dreamland for ribs. always worth the trip.
Sunday we bought Paddock passes to kill some time since we missed the AM warm-up. there we were able to get up close to several DP cars from the Saturday race. it's amazing the pieces they can break those cars down into.
perhaps the biggest thrill for me of the weekend was when i came face-to-face with my boyhood hero, Rick Mears. while i certainly would have loved to spend some time talking with him, i appreciated the time he took for a picture and an autograph. i was shaking like a little girl. it was kinda pathetic, especially from somebody who has met plenty of famous people before. also had the pleasure of meeting Sarah Fisher and the Round Mound of Rebound himself. Sarah is 100% class through and through and Chuck knows how to work a crowd.
the race was great because the number of cautions were limited to 2. it was really neat to see drivers work the blind and long turns alike. the course appeared to offer a challenge to the drivers, which is all you can ask for.
i'll be back next year.
