That was quick. Just a little over an hour after becoming available, the last of the 2017 Grassroots Motorsports Experience tickets were sold. But don't worry, you can still purchase any other infield ticket and join us in our big tent. We just can't offer parking in our compound or the catered dinner.
It was less than an hour. I was on hold for 39 minutes and they were already gone.
In reply to Ed Higginbotham:
Since this is always a problem, I have a suggestion...
I realized you can't expand the parking in your compound, but you could probably expand the dinner (even if it was boxed carry-outs, or 2 separate shifts). You could also consider limiting the compound cars in some way- handicapped, specialty, Challenge cars, vintage, etc.
That would enable you to include more people in the festivities and make them feel "included" instead of feeling like they missed an opportunity.
There are probably many able-bodied people like me who wouldn't mind parking further away (and who may be driving cars that really don't contribute to your "paddock").
Every year there is a sell out of this "package", and you then have to try to convince people the other options are just as good. You may be able to package them in a way that they actually are equal. 
How about if you offer a golf cart shuttle, and give compound parking only to people who volunteer for 1 hour or more driving the golf cart shuttle?
Seems to me the way to expand this might just be to limit it.
SVreX----- expanding the catered dinner isn't really an option, as we have limited seating available in the tent. We welcome all in our compound, but unfortunately we have finite supplies of parking and dining on Sat night.
Everyone should still come on down though. There's plenty of parking elsewhere in the infield, and we always have a great time meeting with readers and industry folks near the GRM tent. Besides, you can camp in other areas of the infield. (camping is not allowed in the GRM compound)
We look forward to seeing you there!
What Ed and Joe have said above is true. We are limited on the number of tickets due to the space we have and after meetings with the DIS marketing director (plus having worked there for almost 17 years) I know the challenges they have on carving out space for each and ever entity that is there during the Rolex 24. I remember when I first started with Grand-Am getting to park in the infield across from the yellow garage. I can also remember being in a meeting with the track before the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 and being told that all teams, officials and Grand-Am staff other than Jim France being told that we were parking outside the speedway and taking a tram in. With the popularity of the event combined with only so much space creates limited parking and dinning options for our Experience and we are very fortunate to get the space we have.
That said, we may have an opportunity for an additional package that would include parking (outside the track) along with opportunities to still participant in our activities (other than dinner). Basically with the new additions to the track (stadium) there are opportunities to have the best seats in the house and all the amenities that you would have at a professional football game (without having to fight all the crowds) It would have some of your favorite GRM staffers over there to be camp councilors. There might be opportunities for fast pass access to the Mazda autocross course located just behind the stadium. Also some of the best food and patio areas with TV monitors to watch the race in a nice community area.
How does that sound to everybody? Well that is what I am working on with my dear friend at DIS right now. No promises, but stay tuned for more details.
Rick (your GRM Events Manager)
Excellent. Thanks, Rick.
(Throw in a box dinner without seating in the tent and I'm in! 
)
wow,im glad i got to the the ticket office at the track before they opened!i waited behind ten people praying there was a ticket left and i got one,woohoo!
When will these tickets go on sale? I almost bought a regular ticket like some kind of peasant.
I stopped everything that was going on the day that I got the email from the Speedway that the renewals were available to renew my tickets so that I wouldnt lose focus and forget to renew in timely manner. I would have hated to lose that priority.
whenry wrote: I stopped everything that was going on the day that I got the email from the Speedway that the renewals were available to renew my tickets so that I wouldnt lose focus and forget to renew in timely manner. I would have hated to lose that priority.
The speedway will actually call you to process the renewal if you don't get back to them right away. That's saved me!
In reply to Rick Goolsby:
I may not be making my point well.
The issue I am seeing is not one of space, food, price, or any physical limitations. It's a marketing issue.
You've hit on something good. There is something about the name "The Grassroots Motorsports Experience" that resonates with a lot of people. There are a lot more of us who would like to be "part" of it then the number of tickets you have available.
(Note, I have been there, and understand your space limitations)
It seems to me you could have twice as many "GRM Experience" tickets, but exclude the parking and dinner. Then add some limited quantity "GRM Experience Premium" tickets at a higher price point that would include those things.
I am not telling you how to run things- this is not my area of expertise. I am just observing what happens every year. Selling out in the first day is indicative of a different kind of opportunity.
My $0.02
Paul, you may have a point, but in this case the opportunity is not exactly ours--all tickets are sold by the speedway, which retains all ticket revenue. So creating a higher-priced ticket and putting our name on it creates a much greater responsibility (ensuring the experience promised by our name is delivered) with no corresponding compensation to help us meet that responsibility.
Still, we are looking for more ways to engage our readers at the race and make sure we take them along for most of the fun. As Rick said, stay tuned.
Margie
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