First time spectator questions

It looks like my schedule changed and I'll have the 25th, 26th and 27th off. I realize that this is kinda late in the game but I really want to attend a Challenge. I'd be driving up from Tampa. I have a bunch of questions that I couldn't find the answer to.

First, if the host hotel is completely booked, what are the alternatives? I kinda feel that staying in another hotel would not grant the full Challenge experience.

Secondly, how does one get from the hotel to the track? Drive, grab a ride from someone competing or a shuttle? I've never been to Gainesville so I wouldn't know my way around.

I'm trying to get a room booked for the nights of the 25th and 26th. I work night shift until 7am so I would be driving up there after I got off work on Friday morning. I'll probably arrive about 9:30am or so. It's a little late but that's the best I can do given the circumstances.

Can anybody give me some pointers on how to make this happen? I really want this to happen since I lived in Tampa previously from 2010-2014 and never made it to the Challenge.

Thanks all!

In reply to stanger_missle :

Awesome. Come on up, we'll figure it out together ( this is my first Challenge too)

You definitely need to be at the hotel. There's been a few cancellations in the grm block, so grab a room if you can, or find a floor to sleep on. 

As far as rides to and from, I am reasonably certain someone will let you pile in with them, or at least hold onto the roof. Honestly, the track is like 15min from the hotel and parking is FREE- we drove to the track and parked under the bleachers last year. Probably do the same this year. Bring water, some cash for track snacks if you don't get a banquet ticket (there appears to be a few of those loose) and some sunblock. And a chair. 

Cool. I just registered as a spectator and bought an awards banquet and meal ticket in addition to 2, 2000 Challenge t-shirts. I gotta call the hotel next. I'm really trying to make this happen!

Thanks guys!

Luckily, there were a couple of rooms left. I scored a room with 2 double beds for the 25th and 26th. All the king bed rooms were booked. Oh man, this might actually be happening!

Cool. It'll be nice to put a face to the name. 

In reply to Stampie :

Ditto. I'm eager to meet the man that has a Challenge rule named after him 

Since I'll be showing up a little late on Friday, probably around 9:30am or so, what happens then? I'll check into my room and then? Do I need to hit registration at the track to grab my banquet tickets and t-shirt? Or is that just for competitors?

In reply to stanger_missle :

If you're arriving Friday morning, I'd just go straight to the track. Autocross starts at 10 and goes all afternoon, followed closely by drag racing at 6. You can always check in to the hotel late Friday night. They are very accomodating.

In reply to stanger_missle :

I’m not sure you can check into the hotel that early? Regardless, yes you need to visit registration at the track to check, get your wristbands, banquet ticket, etc. 

When you get to the track, follow the entrance road all the way to the end. You’ll see everyone in the paddock & there will be a GRM canopy setup nearby for registration. 

Yep. Head straight to the track. 

I was planning to go as a spectator in 2017, ended up going down with a few Ohio friends.  It's worth it as a bucket list item at least.  Talk to people, offer to help, DEFINITELY volunteer to work the autocross event.  It's both appreciated and you might get some cool swag...

I might come back in 2020 and make a week of it at Galaxy's Edge in Orlando.

stanger_missle said:

In reply to Stampie :

Ditto. I'm eager to meet the man that has a Challenge rule named after him 

Remind me to introduce you to Joe then you'll get to meet two of us. 

In reply to Stampie :

Will do

Now that I'm getting the hang of where to go and what to do when I get there, can we talk about what I should bring? Sunglasses, rain jacket, umbrella(?), cooler full of beer(?) Anything that would make a big difference in having an awesome experience? I have an empty cargo van so I'm not hurting for space...

Sunblock is what I forget every year. 

stanger_missle said:

In reply to Stampie :

Will do

 

Now that I'm getting the hang of where to go and what to do when I get there, can we talk about what I should bring? Sunglasses, rain jacket, umbrella(?), cooler full of beer(?) Anything that would make a big difference in having an awesome experience? I have an empty cargo van so I'm not hurting for space...

A skateboard or bike can be handy for getting around at the track.