Photography Credit: Chris Tropea
Daytona, for me, represents a day at work. I have people to see, photos to capture, stories to find. And that food in the media center isn’t going to eat itself.
But how would I approach the IMSA Rolex 24 At Daytona as a civilian? Thinking back on 30 years of Januarys at Daytona, here’s how I would do things if I didn’t have my usual editorial duties.
First, some realities: I know I’m parking outside the Speedway. Heck, even media no longer gets infield parking.
So that means that I’m going to travel light. Check the Daytona International Speedway site for specifics, but it looks like you can bring a 18x18x14-inch bag. For me, it’s going to be a backpack, although I am eyeing one of those hip new sling bags.
Inside that bag and on my person I shall have:
Earplugs: I keep a pair on my keychain, but for the Rolex, I’m bringing some spares because if you drop one in the dirt, it’s dead to you.
Hat: Might do a ball cap, might do more of a traditional sun hat. For night, I’ll break out my GRM beanie.
Camera gear: I don’t want to schlep around a big lens, so I’d concentrate on my short game, meaning 24mm and 50mm lenses. These will nicely cover the garages and paddock while not weighing me down.
[Time to decide: What camera gear should I bring to the Rolex 24?]
Sunblock: I’ll apply before leaving home but plan on redoing it at the track.
Hand sanitizer: I’m currently dealing with kennel cough. I forgot to bring hand sanitizer to the Roar. Learn from my mistakes.
Boots: You’ll be walking a lot across pavement, grass and dirt. My personal preference: Dr. Martens in the company’s poly/nylon material. They’re light, comfortable and need no break-in.
Sharpie: For autographs and to sign the start/finish line. More on that in a minute.
Warm clothes: It sounds like we’re facing a cool/cold weekend, and it always feels colder than you’d think at the Speedway. Blame the open spaces. If you’re debating whether or not to wear that extra layer, I would. For me, that means thermals underneath my layers plus gloves.
Water: I don’t have a great answer here. We need water to live, but water is heavy. They sell water at the track, but it’s priced accordingly. The track has water fountains, so maybe bring a refillable bottle?
Food: I’d bring snacks and things that carry well. For meals, let’s bite the bullet and buy something once there. More about food in a bit, too.
Alcohol: Not bringing any.
Now, my plan.
First, we gotta figure out our parking.
[Click here to view and download the official facilities maps]
I see that you can still buy Lot 1 parking for the weekend. It’s $100 but puts you right outside the track. I’ve parked there before, and it’s very convenient. Lot 4 parking is also available.
If I were to purchase parking, I’d do it now. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
You can also park for free at the mall across the street. Yes, it’s a bit of a walk. My wife parked there last year, and I did the walk with her once or twice. It’s not horrible. It actually was closer than expected. Or maybe walking more just didn’t matter at that point.
When to arrive at the track? Let’s assume you can make Thursday’s MX-5 Cup race plus WeatherTech night practice as well as Friday’s BMW M Endurance Challenge race for the Michelin Challenge teams, so we’re going to just jump to Saturday. (Backing up: If you can make it, Friday and Saturday’s festivities should be on your schedule–terrific racing plus thinner crowds, meaning better access to the cars, crews and drivers.)
[IMSA Rolex 24: What you need to know | Schedule & Entry Lists]
I like to arrive early Saturday to beat the rush, although that “rush” can ebb and flow throughout the morning. I’d love to arrive by 8:30 so I can catch the HSR race at 8:50–make sure you leave time to park, of course. I also want time to walk the garages.
The grid opens for the fan walk at 12:15, and I want to make that. The catch, of course: Everyone else will be there, too. I’ll try to grab a few photos and then just take in the fact that I’m standing on the Speedway’s tri-oval. Remember that Sharpie? You can sign the start/finish line.
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
Once they start moving everyone off the grid, I’d head up into the stands. I like to sit just past start/finish so I can watch the cars come right at me. How high to sit? Too low and you can’t really see the cars. Too high? Well, I’m not big on heights. I’ll aim for a seat in the shade.
And now I’m going to relax. For a couple of hours. Enjoy a seat, enjoy the clean bathrooms. Food? You have choices there or can cross the pedestrian bridge for One Daytona.
I’d probably do dinner a little on the early side, though, so I’m back for sunset. Before sunset, I’m going to head into the infield. Sunset looks terrific from the bleachers outside the International Horseshoe. Again, relax and take it all in. (If you have a few, check out the Porsche Club of America corral.)
Once the sun sets and I’m up for more walking, I’ll head to the garages so I can watch the teams work. Remember, not everyone there is on vacation. Watch your backs and give room to the cars and crews. Prime photo time. I won’t use a flash, either, as I’m sure it’s distracting to the crews. Either fast film or crank up the ISO.
Oh yeah, bathrooms: They have real ones in the garages and Hard Rock Bet Fanzone. Expect a trough out in the infield. Not sure what the ladies’ facilities look like.
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
For the rest of the evening, I’ll go whichever way the wind is blowing, but my usual has me walking between the garages and the International Horseshoe.
And if you see me wandering this weekend, stop and say hi.
Every year I panic because I think I lost my ear plugs, and every year I am pleasantly surprised that I have a pair in the little container on my keys.
That being said, I should dig around and see if I have any backups.
I'll second the sling bag. This is the one I got as a Christmas gift. Initial results are promising.
This will be my eighth or ninth strait Rolex 24, so I have a pattern that works well for me and my buddy. Watch the start from the main grandstands for a few hours, then head down to the infield. We normally get into the infield through the turn six tunnel because it's way closer to the turn one grandstands. Then we watch from the stands at turn six for a while, then mosey on over to the West Horseshoe stands to watch the sunset. It's normally a great spot; you can frame your pictures with the cars, the banking, and the wall with "DAYTONA" and the American flag in the shot. Then grab something to eat at the "food court" behind the International Horseshoe stands.
We end up wandering all over, it's pretty cool to watch the cars go by exiting NASCAR turn 2 onto the back straight, and going through NASCAR turns 3 and 4 (especially after a yellow when the track goes green, and everyone is bunched up - the LMP2 cars go by in a tight pack and they shift and almost the same instant). Eventually, we'll end up at the entrance to the International Horseshoe a little before the fireworks go off. We'll spend our time trying to get good panning shots of the cars as they are braking for the turn (front discs glowing), with the Ferris wheel in the background. It's the ultimate shot to get at Daytona, and for me the most difficult because the cars are changing speed so quickly, they are pretty close, and there are tons of pro photographers in between you and the track. Having a ladder or something to look over the chain link fence is the only way to go. We buy Home Depot buckets on our way to the track, you can tip them over and stand on them. Then we watch the fireworks and then wander back to the car in the lot 4 parking lot for the night.
Sunday we usually get to the track about 8 - 9 am, and watch the finish from the grandstands.
In between all of that we wander all over the place; typically Thursday we walk about ten miles, then Friday six or seven, and progressively less each day. There is lots to see in the infield! It's one of the greatest cars shows there is anyplace, and the campgrounds can be a spectacle in their own right.
There are no rocket launches scheduled this weekend, so that will be nice. In years past we've left the track to see a launch from various spots, but every time the launch was delayed, so until last year we were 0 for 8 for seeing a launch. last year there was a Space X launch the Sunday evening after the race, so I finally got to see a rocket blast off!
Water and ear plugs are essential! And have a great time, it's one of the best motorsports events in the world!
Yeah, everyone’s got their routine. One day, I’d like to do the whole race from the grandstands–just because, mainly.
Looks like it's going to be wet extra shoes and socks just in case
BTW: Don't forget to shop the concessionaires for your favorite manufactuer's, team's, driver's memorabilia. Some cool stuff there at Daytona, typically.
Latest forecast for Daytona Beach:
I've watched the start from on top of the garages the past few years, but I think I might change it up and watch the start from grandstands this year.
Last year I did start of race in grandstands. I stayed there for about an hour and then moved to the infield. It really helped me avoid the traffic of the trams since most people stay in the grandstands just to watch the start and then leave maybe 20 minutes later. I'll probably do that again this year.
I have tried watching and shooting the start from a few different places and I think this year I am going to go back to the grandstands. I will tram back in to the infield for the rest of the race though, if its not too cold at night I might make a trip back to the grandstands for fireworks.
TRoglodyte said:Looks like it's going to be wet extra shoes and socks just in case
Yeah even if it's not actively raining, we've had a LOT of rain since last weekend--and it's still raining--with a lot of standing water here in Daytona. So plan on the infield being very soggy, and bring extra shoes, socks, and ground cover for tenting.
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