Race weekend camping

What can I exspect spending a weekend at a track? The track will be Watkins Glen and the event will be either Sahlen's Six Hours(Grand Am Rolex) or the SCCA Double Nationals.

I've never camped there but was there for a NASCAR weekend and there was some very deticated campers working very hard to have a "good time" if you know what I mean.

Thats what I was told by a co-worker who camps there for Nascar, LOTS of beer. OTOH, I'm not sure how different the demographic will be for these events.

I camp at road atlanta several times a year for the mitty and the petit lemans I would recommend at least ten cases of beer, a grill, and toilet paper. The track is probably the least comfortable place to to tent camp so as long as you stay drunk the entire time and grill lots of meat you will inevitably have a goodtime.

byron12 wrote: as long as you stay drunk the entire time and grill lots of meat you will inevitably have a goodtime.

That's just good advice in general, really. If all else fails, get drunk and grill some meat.

Have you considered getting a room or cabin at the Seneca Lodge? Several friends + cabin = cheap, mud-free accomodations close to the track. I intend to grab a room there for the DE I'm doing in about 6 weeks there, should be way better than 1.5 hours back and forth each day.

For the vintage feastival, we stay at rented house on the edge of town, but we spend as much or more time touring wineries as we do at the track. At lot of the racers camp, though. There are showers and other facilities on site which seem perfectly adequate for non-NASCAR events. We;ve been told by the locals they enjoy the vintage people more than the NASCAR folks. They don't destroy things and they tip better.

pigeon wrote: Have you considered getting a room or cabin at the Seneca Lodge? Several friends + cabin = cheap, mud-free accomodations close to the track. I intend to grab a room there for the DE I'm doing in about 6 weeks there, should be way better than 1.5 hours back and forth each day.

I have stayed there many a time - but I would not say it is more comfortable than camping. Great history, cool bar... moldy, nasty accommodations. It's tradition for us to crash there - but it's not "nice".

The new hotel right on the lake is pricey but very well appointed and has a view. There is plenty of middle-ground between those two extremes. The Falls Motel is a nice clean reasonable place about 2 miles down the road.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

Good info - I've never stayed there before, and the online reviews tend to be either as you wrote or very complimentary. I'll have to check out the Falls Motel. Thanks.

Luke wrote:

byron12 wrote: as long as you stay drunk the entire time and grill lots of meat you will inevitably have a goodtime.

That's just good advice in general, really. If all else fails, get drunk and grill some meat.

That's exactly how we handle camping at hillclimbs.

Tearoffguys James My brother will be there with TOG maybe hook up with him and help out , wear the shirt and enjoy

If you go to the Double National, look for #47 E Production Mazda RX7. I usually am paddocked in the area behind the pit lane grandstands. White toterhome with red Haulmark trailer. Stop by and say hello.

I am going to Sebring this weekend and I am camping. I will let you know how it goes.

Maroon92 wrote: I am going to Sebring this weekend and I am camping. I will let you know how it goes.

going nice hot today ,

I live less than an hour from the glen and enjoy camping, so I dont see any pay off in other lodging in town.

If I go I will wear my GRM shirt.

neon4891 wrote: I live less than an hour from the glen and enjoy camping, so I dont see any pay off in other lodging in town. If I go I will wear my GRM shirt.

If you're that close and enjoy camping, think about going to the Double National and revel in the sparse crowd. You'll have better opportunities to wander around and pick a spot you really like - for both camping and spectating.

I've camped at the Glen many times, but always for the vintage GP. It's actually got quite a few nice spots to set up the tent in nice tree-covered areas. And the bonus is you can waddle out of your tent in the morning and have a great view of the track. Or, if you really pick your spot well, you don't even need to get out of the tent to watch some racing.

Be sure to get there early on the first day, because the best spots go early. You won't be stuck in the middle of a field at those events, though.