[tevake]

I decided to drive the SC down to Phoenix last weekend to check out the Indy cars racing At P I R. I went early to hang with some PCA folks in the Porsche corral before the race.
I enjoyed the company and prerace excitement while in the parking area.
My SC was the only aircooled model to show up, pretty sure from the longest distance away too.
Then went into the bleachers a little early to take in the track and scene.
PRI is an interesting track, 1.5 mile tri oval with modest banking all around except the front straight.
Our seating area was just after the starters stand on the front straight.
All of the preliminaries went well, the Indy series is clearly well organized and presented.
Tho I haven't really followed Indy car closely for some time, I was excited to get to see the race person.

Then they started the cars in the pits right across from where we were sitting, and boy were they loud. The warmup laps unwound and then the start came, and with it the overwhelming noise. Gone were the ability to hear anything of the commentators or to communicate with anyone next to you at less than a loud yell.
The pace was very fast and soon the leaders were overtaking the back markers and from that point it was very hard to follow what was happening in the race. No commentary could be heard to explain the action on track. Even reading the lighted numbers on the cars as they blasted past was difficult in the blur of speed.

During yellow flag periods a bit of the commentary could be heard, but it was hard to get cought up on the developments of the race.

Finally at about the half way point of the race I gave up in frustration and left with ringing ears and and little idea of what was happening in the race.
After leaving I called my Sis in Chino Valley and asked her to record the rest of the race for me.

The next day I dropped in at my Sister's place and watched the rest of the race.
Wow, what a total different experence, with the mix of cameras, clear commentary and manageable sound levels, I could follow the action and understand the developments of the race. Plus get the back story that so adds to the interest of it all.
I even learned some of the earlier highlights of the first part of the race in a recap. These I had missed while watching closely there in person.

I'll admit there were some strong impressions from being there that were not to be had from a broadcast but over all I much more enjoy the experence of viewing from a distance.

I have had a few other at the track experiences that I have enjoyed a bit more.
Especially vintage racing events.

How about others here, any good or other at the track experiences to share?

Cheers Richard