larryV

12pm standing start... that's all my tickets say.

1) Should I shack up in a hotel at Indy the night before or just make the early 3-hour drive from Chicago on Sunday morning? Seems to me making the early drive is more logical since Indy and surrounding area is a pretty lame place to spend a saturday night. Any thoughts?

2) My ticket and package says nothing about scheduled events that day (like 2nd qualifying) other than the race itself that starts at 12pm... so I don't even know if I should bother to make sunday qualifying since my ticket makes no mention of it. Does 2nd qualifying require a separate ticket?

3) Any advice for parking on race day? I've heard about car-brand-specific corrals free of charge from the benz forum but I can't seem to find any info on the web.

4) Anyone in the Chicago area want to caravan on sunday morning or saturday evening?

5) Lastly, are personal coolers with beer allowed on F1 races at Indy or does that just apply to Indy 500 and other brickyard events?



I suppose I could call Indy tomorrow...

larryV

thanks. I guess I'm driving sunday morn... leave at 6am get there by 9am?

tonypai

Came back that night. Be sure you park on the "correct" side of the raceway. We parked on the northside and walked the two miles to our seats on the southside but it was worth it when leaving after the race.

Berserker

On the back straight of the 500 oval. Just call the track and ask for an audi corral permit, make sure you have your customer number, though.

Several car clubs have corrals back there: Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar, etc. Last year, a Jag concept car from several years back showed up. I'll see if I can dig up pictures.

BlueCarDude

1. you SHOULD show up for all 3 days. but what others have said about hotels is true. I either stay with friends in Indy or I camp. This year, I think we're camping outside the track. I'll be there Thursday night.

2. Here is the schedule. It will be revised... as aggregate qualifying HAS been eliminated. I have not seen the revised schedule yet, but I would guess it will look exactly like this one minus the Sunday session. Check the website for updates.

2005 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX SCHEDULE (All times local; subject to change)

THURSDAY, June 16
8 a.m.-noon Pit Walkabout

FRIDAY, June 17
Time Series Session
9:15-10 a.m. Menards Infiniti Pro Series First practice
11 a.m.-noon Formula One First practice
12:30-1:15. p.m. Menards Infiniti Pro Series Qualifying
2-3 p.m. Formula One Second practice
3:30-4:15 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup Practice
4:45-5:10 p.m. Formula BMW USA Practice
5:40-6:20 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup First qualifying

SATURDAY, June 18
Time Series Session
9-9:45 a.m. Formula One Third practice
10:15-11 a.m. Formula One Fourth practice
11:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup Second qualifying
1-2 p.m. Formula One Qualifying
2:30-3 p.m. Formula BMW USA First race
3:30-4 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup First race (16 laps)
4:45-5:45 p.m. Menards Infiniti Pro Series Liberty Challenge race

SUNDAY, June 19
Time Series Session
9-10 a.m. Formula One Qualifying
10:30-11 a.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup Second race (16 laps)
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Formula One Grid presentation
1 p.m. Formula One United States Grand Prix (73 laps)
3:15-3:45 p.m. Formula BMW USA Second race

3. Parking on race day. I would park at any of the numerous houses around the speedway. You can get a decent deal and you can give the money to someone other than Tony George whose actions have hurt local business and cost the local economy dearly.

4. see #1

5. Yes you can bring your own food and beverages... there is no need to buy overpriced concession and support TG.

For those that bought tickets in advance. You should consider hitting up the scalpers on raceday for future races. scalping is legal in Indiana and with the exception of a couple grandstands, you pretty much have your pick of where to sit. You can get in for under face value. If you're planning on GA, there are other ways to get in too... e-mail me for details... hehe