Anyone going to Long Beach?

[Hard Driver]

The 2025 thread looks like it is originally from 2024. So I started a new thread to see if anyone is going to Long Beach in 2025?

[TravelGal]

The 2025 thread looks like it is originally from 2024. So I started a new thread to see if anyone is going to Long Beach in 2025?

I've got place reserved for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I'll address the issue of tickets in the next couple of weeks.

[Hard Driver]

I've got place reserved for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I'll address the issue of tickets in the next couple of weeks.

I had tickets, but just got around to booking flights/hotels when I remembered I posted here. Wife and I will be at the track on Sat. and Sun. Have seats in the Turn 1 grandstands and access to the Bubba Gump viewing area.

[SteveH]

I loved watching practice from Bubba Gump. Not too crowded usually. Very picturesque

Have fun

[TravelGal]

After hemming and hawing for the last 3 months, I decided I would go for parts of it. Therefore was tickled to see this mentioned in a recent online article from Racer: .....in a specially adapted Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R on Tuesday, Robert Wickens reflected on his first experiences as the countdown to his much-anticipatedIMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship return with DXDT Racing

HardDriver, I usually walk down to Turn 1 at least once. I'll see if I can find you and the missus.

[Hard Driver]

After hemming and hawing for the last 3 months, I decided I would go for parts of it. Therefore was tickled to see this mentioned in a recent online article from Racer: .....in a specially adapted Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R on Tuesday, Robert Wickens reflected on his first experiences as the countdown to his much-anticipatedIMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship return with DXDT Racing

HardDriver, I usually walk down to Turn 1 at least once. I'll see if I can find you and the missus.

I got my tickets today. Coming in on Friday after tying this with San Diego vacation. Will be at the track on Sat and Sun. Have to admit that after spending all the money to do a whole cross country vaca, the ticket prices were not my concern over enjoyment. I actually have seats on both Grandstand 29 by start finish and Grandstand 40 at turn 1. Also, will be at both Bubba Gump's and the C300 clubs. I'll be walking around myself some. Staying at the Fairmont Breakers hotel right by the track.

I'll try to think of something unique to wear and post it. That way if you see me, you can yell "Hard Driver" and I will respond. My wife will be surprised.

And if anyone is around that weekend and want to get a drink, the wife and I are just hanging, eating and watching racing for the weekend.

[TravelGal]

I got my tickets today. Coming in on Friday after tying this with San Diego vacation. Will be at the track on Sat and Sun. Have to admit that after spending all the money to do a whole cross country vaca, the ticket prices were not my concern over enjoyment. I actually have seats on both Grandstand 29 by start finish and Grandstand 40 at turn 1. Also, will be at both Bubba Gump's and the C300 clubs. I'll be walking around myself some. Staying at the Fairmont Breakers hotel right by the track.

I'll try to think of something unique to wear and post it. That way if you see me, you can yell "Hard Driver" and I will respond. My wife will be surprised.

And if anyone is around that weekend and want to get a drink, the wife and I are just hanging, eating and watching racing for the weekend.

Ya got me thinking about what to wear. Thursday for Scottie at the Walk of Fame induction, something that will make me look like a relatively normal fan, if there is such a thing. Friday maybe my Surfers Paradise tee shirt that Mario Dominguez signed. Saturday I can look a bit weird so maybe my bright red Easter Island tee shirt featuring the Moai. That's our best chance of finding each other. Race day I'll most likely be sitting on the finish line side of Grandstand 30. I had thought of Club 300 but I didn't bite. (Couldn't resist that.) I don't eat that much and hate to miss a chance to get my King Taco.

[Hard Driver]

Ya got me thinking about what to wear. Thursday for Scottie at the Walk of Fame induction, something that will make me look like a relatively normal fan, if there is such a thing. Friday maybe my Surfers Paradise tee shirt that Mario Dominguez signed. Saturday I can look a bit weird so maybe my bright red Easter Island tee shirt featuring the Moai. That's our best chance of finding each other. Race day I'll most likely be sitting on the finish line side of Grandstand 30. I had thought of Club 300 but I didn't bite. (Couldn't resist that.) I don't eat that much and hate to miss a chance to get my King Taco.

I'll keep an eye out for you Travalgal. I'll be wearing a CART hat and T-Shirts from New Hampshire, either "Live Free or Die, NH" or "Portsmouth NH". I've met people on vacation just because I was wearing stuff from home. People will just walk up to me and be like, New Hampshire, and strike up a conversation. Usually about how much they love it. Here is what the hat looks like:

1274

[Anteater]

Sorry to be late to the party! It turns out that Mr. Anteater and I will be at the track on Friday only, so we'll miss seeing Hard Driver (cool hat, btw). We look forward to meeting TravelGal, Manic Mechanic, Dave99, and whoever else turns up on Friday. Heard a rumor that Cyclepath and Ed Severson will be hanging around the #14 Foyt car. ;)

[TravelGal]

I'll keep an eye out for you Travalgal. I'll be wearing a CART hat and T-Shirts from New Hampshire, either "Live Free or Die, NH" or "Portsmouth NH". I've met people on vacation just because I was wearing stuff from home. People will just walk up to me and be like, New Hampshire, and strike up a conversation. Usually about how much they love it. Here is what the hat looks like:


I'm sitting here in my Surfer's shirt (took a while to find it), getting ready to drive down. Yesterday it took 2 hours to get to the Walk of Fame ceremony. I hope it takes less this time.

Red Easter Island shirt, check. Black New Zealand shirt (or more likely deep red if it's hot) for Sunday. I have a big, broadbrimed, white, crocheted hat. I guarantee you, I'll be the only one wearing anything like it. You'll be surprised how much CART/Champ Car swag you'll see.

Anteater--see ya later!

[TravelGal]

I'm sitting here in my Surfer's shirt (took a while to find it), getting ready to drive down. Yesterday it took 2 hours to get to the Walk of Fame ceremony. I hope it takes less this time.

Red Easter Island shirt, check. Black New Zealand shirt (or more likely deep red if it's hot) for Sunday. I have a big, broadbrimed, white, crocheted hat. I guarantee you, I'll be the only one wearing anything like it. You'll be surprised how much CART/Champ Car swag you'll see.

Anteater--see ya later!

So good to see Anteater, Mr Anteater, Manic, and Dave99. Stood for a while watching Oriol Servia filming for Fox Deportes. Eventually found Ed Severson but I looked at a lot of hats and never caught up with HardDriver. We must have been walking around, around each other. *I* was the one who was surprised at how little CART/ChampCar gear I saw as the weekend went on. Also surprised at how much F1 stuff I did see. Easy to spot guys we know like Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan, walking around with no entourage because everyone is fixated on the current drivers. The only exception to that rule is Mario Andretti, of course.

TravelGal travelogue: They sold out of grandstand seating for the third year in a row. It's not all that bad to get GA and stand by the track if you pick your spot well. Still strikes me funny that Paul Tracy was signing "Vintage" autographs. The exhibits in the Convention Center get better and better. You could spend most of a day in there. I discovered Java House coffee (Rossi sponsor). Might have to buy some. Chatted with Acura people, Tesla people, merchandise people (LB track only, not Indycar merch), Laguna Seca people, SS Iowa people, wine tasting people. Oh, and the fudge people. OMG, I bought some and went back to buy more. Insider tip: While there you can avail yourself of real bathrooms instead of an Andy Gump. Second tip: to my everlasting annoyance, the Paddock did not reopen until 90 minutes after the race on Sunday. No point in going in after everyone's packed up and gone. Overall, I nice weekend. Not like before in my hard card days, of course, but nice enough.

[Hard Driver]

So good to see Anteater, Mr Anteater, Manic, and Dave99. Stood for a while watching Oriol Servia filming for Fox Deportes. Eventually found Ed Severson but I looked at a lot of hats and never caught up with HardDriver. We must have been walking around, around each other. *I* was the one who was surprised at how little CART/ChampCar gear I saw as the weekend went on. Also surprised at how much F1 stuff I did see. Easy to spot guys we know like Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan, walking around with no entourage because everyone is fixated on the current drivers. The only exception to that rule is Mario Andretti, of course.

TravelGal travelogue: They sold out of grandstand seating for the third year in a row. It's not all that bad to get GA and stand by the track if you pick your spot well. Still strikes me funny that Paul Tracy was signing "Vintage" autographs. The exhibits in the Convention Center get better and better. You could spend most of a day in there. I discovered Java House coffee (Rossi sponsor). Might have to buy some. Chatted with Acura people, Tesla people, merchandise people (LB track only, not Indycar merch), Laguna Seca people, SS Iowa people, wine tasting people. Oh, and the fudge people. OMG, I bought some and went back to buy more. Insider tip: While there you can avail yourself of real bathrooms instead of an Andy Gump. Second tip: to my everlasting annoyance, the Paddock did not reopen until 90 minutes after the race on Sunday. No point in going in after everyone's packed up and gone. Overall, I nice weekend. Not like before in my hard card days, of course, but nice enough.

I kept my eye out for a white crouched hat, but crossing paths was probably unlikely. Really enjoyed the weekend. Friday night saw the whole FOX broadcasting crew hanging out at the Breakers rooftop bar. Sat spend time in the paddock, Exhibits in the convention center, and watched the racing from the stands near the start finish. Sun spent all our time down in Turn 1 and the fountain area. Spent the 2nd half of the race on the Bubba Gump balcony in front row chairs overlooking the fountain. Bubba Gump package comes with good food and real bathrooms too. Definitely would do that again if I go back someday.