Probability is high that I shall be at the Indy 500, anyone else?

I have been asked to fly to Indianapolis on sunday morning to attend the race. A friend that earned his private pilots license 2 years ago won 2 tickets to the race. He wants to fly his Cessna 172 from Flint and wants someone with more flying experience to go along. I know about the flying end of this excursion. Are any of you going? I assume that the ground part of the day involves many miles of walking and long lines. 

Braden

Fly in very early if possible.  Getting in and out of the track will be........challenging.  It's a massive complex, so wear comfortable shoes.  Regardless of where your seats are.....it's gonna be a long distance---- everything is! 

Try to figure out your transportation from the airport to the track as early as you can.  There will be 400K or so people in and around the track on raceday, and they may close / divert city streets to ease congestion.  

They will allow you to bring a small cooler into the track, with food / beer etc.   I'd recommend this, as it will save $$, and you won't have the hassle of standing in concession lines. 

Also---  if your seats are covered, be sure to head into the infield before the National Anthem / Taps is played.   The fly-by will come just after the anthem and the lone soldier playing Taps. (which is one of the most moving sounds you'll ever witness)   You want to be sure and see the flyby----as a pilot, I'm sure you'll get a kick out of it, regardless of what plane(s) they are.  In the past they've had the Stealth Bomber,  Harrier's, B-25's and even a B-17 Flying Fortress flanked by four P-51 Mustangs!  (that was in 95, with Chuck Yeager flying the lead Mustang! ) 

I'll be there in the top row of the lower level--- infield side, straight up from the pit road entrance.   If you wear a GRM shirt, I may even be able to spot you!  

My brother, his gf, and my cousins will be there. So if you see a hipster with a Chicago accent, a Brazilian, two yuppies, and some rednecks all hanging out together, give them some beer. 

One year I saw the Stealth fly over.  It was so quiet.   

I usually tear up at that point.  

I was in the infield in 1983 and did a lot of drinking.   That was the year I might not have seen the race but Saturday night was a riot.   

My brother has gone the last couple years. He keeps trying to drag me out, but the timing is never right with work, and honestly, it sounds like a bit of a E36 M3 show (like a trip to NOLA minus casino and *nice* bewbs and comfy hotel bed.)

That said, keep an eye out for Hong Norr shirts. Maybe we’ll be there.

poopshovel again said:

My brother has gone the last couple years. He keeps trying to drag me out, but the timing is never right with work, and honestly, it sounds like a bit of a E36 M3 show (like a trip to NOLA minus casino and *nice* bewbs and comfy hotel bed.)

That said, keep an eye out for Hong Norr shirts. Maybe we’ll be there.

If you ever make it out to Indy---you know who to call!   

Air traffic around the track is super busy. Broadcast aircraft (usually a blimp), local news helicopters, law enforcement, and  planes towing signs are all packed into a pretty small area. Eagle Creek Airport is a small, regional airport maybe 5 miles from the track (all surface streets). Indianapolis International Airport may be another option that's fairly close, but you'll have a bunch of commercial and cargo planes to work around and you'd have a bit more driving to do, but it would be a lot of interstate before hitting surface streets.

FYI, Georgetown road once ran along side the front straightaway of the track. It may still look like a viable path on some maps or gps but has been closed to thru traffic and turned into pedestrian traffic only, so plan accordingly if you need to pass through that area.

I'll be there, I'm camping at the elementary school just north of the track. Proceeds go to the school.

I have been in to Eagle Creek many times this is my first choice, but I plan to look at the sectional chart and make many phone calls to FBOs . (FBO is a fixed base operator, basically a full service gas station for airplanes) This is the view from our seats.