Has anyone ever attended the 24 Hour of Daytona. Any tips on how to best enjoy this event. I've never been to this track and would appreciate any inside information.

 

My wife and I have been the last 4 years. Which tickets did you purchase? Do you have garage access?

We purchased the Speed Pit Patio tickets our first year and the race turned out to be cold and wet. But the racing is awesome. On Saturday evening we found out that some of our friends also go every year and have tickets to the Champions Club (aka the Daytona 500 Club) ... essentially this is access to an enclosed and air conditioned / heated building with some special activities before, during and after the race. With Champions Club tickets you get access to the building, bottom floor has 24 hour tv broadcast of the race, 2nd floor is a lounge also with 24 hour tv broadcast, and the roof which provides good viewing of the front straight and viewing at a distance of most of the track. It also includes garage access, 4 meals, unlimited water and soda, 6 complimentary beer & wine tickets and access to 3 bars.

Our favorite part of the experience is access to the garages. During the practice days (Roar before the 24) and the two days prior to the 24 hour race having garage access gets you up close and personal with the mechanics, drivers and team owners. My wife personally met Brian Johnson, lead singer for AC/DC and Patrick Dempsey along with most of the other drivers. Signatures during these times are really easy to get, we always bring something to get signed, during the race weekend we usually use a Rolex flag and the display the flag in our garage at home during the year.


Sprint fan zone access is also very good, on Saturday before the race there are driver signings where you can get the whole team at once. These are especially good if you want to get signatures from some of the harder to get guys like Dempsey or Michael Waltrip.

The best viewing locations for general seating are around the east and west ends of the international horseshoe, the infield section of the track, as this is where most of the action occurs.

Post any specific questions or send me an IM.

Ryan