| 1. HIGHER IS BETTER: It is virtually impossible to see | | | | feet will thank you later. |
| the entire track from any one seat at the | | | | 6. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES: Whether you drive |
| Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, it is possible | | | | and park or take a shuttle to the track, you are |
| to see substantial portions of the track in some | | | | bound to do a fair amount of walking and stair |
| seats. Generally, the higher the seats the more track | | | | climbing. Be certain to wear comfortable shoes. |
| you will see. At Indianapolis, rows are marked in | | | | 7. ACCESS TO THE DRIVERS: The best way to |
| alphabetical letters starting with A at the bottom and | | | | meet your favorite driver and get a photo op is to |
| going up from there. After row Z, the letters then | | | | get your hand on a pit pass and use it before race |
| begin AA, BB, CC and so on. Seats in the double | | | | day, preferably on a practice day at the track. This is |
| letter rows typically offer a better view of the track. | | | | no easy achievement. Standing outside the fence |
| 2. BIGGER IS NOT BETTER: While many race fans | | | | surrounding the pit area might also get you close |
| may find reason to quibble with this statement, when | | | | enough to a driver to get an autograph. Access to |
| it comes to coolers, smaller is better. At least smaller | | | | Drivers on Race Day is virtually impossible, even if |
| than 14 inches, because that is the limit for coolers in | | | | you're their mother. |
| the grandstands. You can enter the grounds with | | | | 8. FOR BIG KIDS ONLY: There are no age |
| larger coolers, but you will be forced to leave them | | | | requirements for attending the race or entering the |
| on the ground below the grandstands and run from | | | | track in general. However, an all day excursion to the |
| your seat down to your cooler every time you want | | | | largest one day sporting event in the world may be a |
| to refuel. Height, width and depth must not exceed | | | | bit too much for children under 10 years of age. If |
| 14 inches. | | | | your child is under the age of 10, consider bringing |
| 3. THOU SHALL NOT BUY BOOZE ON SUNDAY: It is | | | | them to a weekend qualification day or a week day |
| legal to consume and even purchase alcohol on | | | | practice session to introduce them to the speedway |
| Sunday in Indiana. HOWEVER, it is illegal for liquor | | | | before bringing them to the Indy 500. |
| stores, grocery stores, or any other type of stores | | | | 9. DON'T GET SOAKED: If the weather forecast |
| to sell alcohol on Sunday. THEREFORE, if you don't | | | | includes any chance of rain, take some sort of rain |
| stock up on Saturday, and you plan to consume | | | | gear. An inexpensive rain suit can fit easily into a |
| alcohol on Sunday, be prepared to buy it by the cup | | | | purse or jacket pocket. Although some vendors may |
| from the various vendors stationed around the | | | | sell them at the track, five minutes after the rain |
| grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You | | | | starts, they will be out of stock. You will be thankful |
| may also order drinks at your favorite pubs and | | | | you have your own, if the rain begins to fall. |
| restaurants on Sunday, after you leave the track. | | | | Otherwise, use sun screen even when its cloudy. |
| 4. BAGS AND PURSES WILL BE SEARCHED: The IMS | | | | 10. BRING YOUR OWN ENTERTAINMENT: Unlike the |
| searches every cooler, bag, and purse coming into | | | | morning of the race when race fans arrive over a |
| the speedway grounds. This is a post 9/11 safety | | | | period of hours, the end of the race signals the start |
| measure. They are looking for weapons, explosives, | | | | of the world's second biggest race. The race to |
| and glass. If you have any of those types of items, | | | | home. It will likely take you four or five times longer |
| leave them at home. | | | | to get back to your hotel from the track than it |
| 5. PLAN YOUR PARKING: If you are driving your | | | | took to get there in the morning. You might want to |
| vehicle to the speedway on race day, figure out a | | | | bring something to entertain yourself while you let |
| plan before you go. Depending on your plan, your | | | | the crowd fight it out for first place. Play cards, or |
| timing and your luck, you might get close enough to | | | | have a cook out on your portable grill, but don't try |
| the track on race day to be within a quarter of a | | | | to drive out of the speedway immediately after the |
| mile of your seat. (See our Survival Kit on the home | | | | race unless you are prepared to be part of the |
| page for hints on parking.) However, if you're not so | | | | world's largest traffic jam. |
| fortunate, you might end up several miles from your | | | | 11. Okay we fibbed, its 11 things. Have fun and come |
| seat. Figure out in advance how to get from your | | | | back next year. |
| motel to the entrance gate closest your seats. Your | | | | |