who's going to daytona for the rolex 24-hour?

[bell]

the daytona rolex 24-hour is happening the weekend of feb. 3rd.
if you've never been to it, all i can say is you have to go, i've gone every year for the past 4 with a group of 3 to 4 other cars.
there's nothing like 60-70 cars at full throttle 8 feet away from you after the first lap many 911's, a few ferraris and more.......
i am happy to say that this the first year of many to come where i'll drive my 911 down for the race. the car goes in for it's alignment/new tires late next week and other than that she's almost ready to go, i'm going in to work monday (i'm normaly off) to install my fun array of audio gear so then I'll be really ready
i'll be in daytona from friday night the 1st until it's over, for the week after that i'm on vacation with no plans except rollin florida in my baby so if anyone will be there or want's to go or has any questions, post here or email me
later
bell
85 911 targa

[juscuz]

Can you provide more info on event at Daytona.
I'll be in Orlando area that weekend.
Cost?
Tickets?

Thanks,
Mark Betts
1985 carrera targa

[bell]

here's all the marbles
you can get all scheduling info at http://www.grand-am.com/events2002/rolex24/index.html
you can purchase a "super pass" online at http://dbserver.iscmotorsports.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway/events_detail.cfm?EvtSchedEventID=223
this pass is what you want, it's gives you unlimited seating in the grandstand, infield pass, and paddock pass. you can also get this at the gate but you'll wait in line. when i bought them at the gate last year it was $30 for infield, $50 for paddock and they let us everywhere in the grandstands with these passes so it's only $5 more if you buy it there and not online. the paddock passes are a must get if you go, last year i came home with a carbon fiber rear wing off of a nissan pilbeam srpII car(the best kind of souvenier) found in the trash in the paddocks along with the whole side of the car no one questioned us because it was "garbage"
a rare sight you will see will be saturday morning at 10:30 when they hold the HSR 24 minute sprint (historics, there were porsche 908/916 there last year) but on friday is the 1 hour HSR enduro but i'll miss that one.
and one other thing, with the paddock pass you'll be allowed to be on pit row brofore the start of the 24 hour with the cars gridded while surrounded by crews/PR/speedvision then when they kick everyone out you can walk across the track to steps which lead to the grandstand (they let everyone do this last year)
i'm going to stop typing though, this is becoming a very large post

bell
85' 911 targa

[juscuz]

Bell,
thanks for the info!!!
I just went to the sites.
Great info.
Couple of questions for someone who seems very knowledgeable on the subject.

My wife and I are actually going to be on a Caribbean cruise out of Port Canaveral. We'll be getting back Feb 2cd. at 9:00am.
My parents live near Disneyworld. So they'll be picking us up and heading back to the house, about an hour away.
Is it worth trying to get up there around the start of the race at 1:00 pm and staying for 5-6 hours then either going back up Sunday for the finish. I'm not familiar with the situations of the race.
I couldn't get through the online ticket purchase for some reason so I was wondering if the $ 75.00 tickets are the only ones available? Can get all types at gate.
Sorry for the lengthy post but it really nice to find info from friendly people on this forum.

Thanks,
Mark Betts
1985 black carrera targa

[bell]

i would say yes it would be worth it. the start is a great experience, after the first couple of laps you'll understand better you can get any of the passes at the gate, if you can't be there for the few hours before the start of the race (1pm) i wouldn't get the paddock pass (the best part of this pass is watching the teams prep before the race), you can get the infield pass ($30.00 per person last year including your car, yes you can drive in the infield ) , you can see everything from the infield, where the paddock is all support/team work areas and the grandstands aren't real close.
depending how packed the infield is will determine if you can drive in, but across from the track there is a mall where i've parked before with no incedent. you just need to stick around until dark too see the action (red hot rotors in the hair pin and such) and remember, the fast cars (srp cars like ferrari f333p/audi's) have white headlights and the "slower" classes run yellow headlights (slower classes including porsche gt1's...geez)
let me know what your plans are and i'm sure i can help you in some way as far as info goes
bell
85'911 targa

[URY914]

If you are planning on going and you are a PCA member, the local regions have a hospatility tent setup in side the track. They get support from the local P-car dealers. There will be food, coffee, a place to seat down and other stuff plus great people to talk to. It really makes the event that much more enjoyable.

[bell]

cool, that's good info i didn't have, i joined pca last week online but i'm waiting for my card/pak to show up. i should have it before i the race so i will HAVE to check that out
thanks

bell
85'911 targa

[fly944]

I will definitely be there probably thurs-sun. This will be my 10th 24 hrs and recommend this event to everyone.