Rolex 24 I want to go again. Solo mission?

I went last year and had a great time. The weather sucked in SC and it was super nice in FL. None of my friends want to go again, so I am thinking of going alone. Any recommendations?

Do eeeeeeet! What do you need recommendations for?

I pretty much am. The Wife will dump me at the gate and go to the beach.

I will be there you're welcome to hang with us

Well just knowing I can find some GRMers to hang out with is great. Now I need to figure out where to stay. I will try and find a hotel room some where close. In the future I my try to stay in the infield, but driving 8-9 hours home without some good sleep would suck. What is it like staying at the track?

So hotel on the beach or close to the track?

I stay at a Super 8 on US 1 … (that's inland) lots of folk stay out on the beach

if you can stand the price the hotels right beside the track are fine .. walking distance to the entrances

Flew in, rented a Class C RV from Cruise America, infield parked between T5 & 6, stocked fridge w/ food n drink, heat, roof overhead, terlot, shower etc. I'm convinced that's the way to see this race. With discount coupons the RV rental figured the same as premium rental car rates. That was back in '95, haven't made it back since then. I'd imagine discount rates could still be found. YMMV.

I would expect you'd need discount coupons …

even tent camping in the infield is more expensive than my hotel

We get a beachside hotel and drive in each day, it is nice to be able to walk the beach and eat lots of fresh seafood

I'm in the same boat, all my friends are bailing. Can you come and go from the track? Or no reentry?

Is it worth having a hotel room for Saturday night? Or just be a baller the suffer through the night?

Worth taking off work for Thrusday/Friday?

I go back and forth all week, you can come and go as you see fit, I am old, tried three times to last the night, haven't made it yet

LainfordExpress wrote: I'm in the same boat, all my friends are bailing. Can you come and go from the track? Or no reentry? Is it worth having a hotel room for Saturday night? Or just be a baller the suffer through the night? Worth taking off work for Thrusday/Friday?

1) you can come and go as often as you want .. the only caveat is … if the infield is full (parking wise) they might not let you back in, until there is room for you to park … so for the busiest times you might want to leave you car parked outside the track and ride the tram in and out

2) I'm with Aussie .. I'm old and don't do all nighters anymore … especially when I have a 10 hr drive after the race ( and especially since they've screwed up the starting time .. it used to be 10am … now it's in the afternoon .. much later starting on the homeward trek)

3) I get down there Wed night … I love to wander around all over on Thur and Fri … plus the support race(s) on Fri

you get to see all the qualifying and practices … soooo … it's up to you

Being able to come and go is one of the greatest things about the race. I arrive early on saturday to get a parking spot, walk the paddoch and watch the start and the first few hrs of racing then head off for seafood at the Down Under. Then come back to walk the garages and wait for the fireworks. Back to the hotel for a nap and then back for some nite racing. Go back to the hotel to get the wife and check out and to watch more racing.
Yes, the change in start times has really changed my schedule too although we have just been driving back to Tn via Savanah and having dinner at the Shell House then stop for the nite within reasonable driving distance of Tn on Monday morning.

I really like coming and going from the track. It is one of the best parts of the race. It is so easy to get in and out of. I guess the place will hold a half million people and only a hundred thousand show up for the Rolex (guessing at numbers). The facility is way over built for the crowd. I have never been there before Friday, but like everyone said there is a ton to see early on. Also there are some fun bars in town to hit on Friday Night. Walking on the beach gives me that "got out of town", feeling that all trips need.

Looks like rooms are not to expensive Rooms

Yeah, come and hang out with us. Even if you don't have one of our special tickets, you can still spend the weekend with us--we just can't offer Saturday dinner or parking.

As for staying near the track or the beach, that's your call. Being on the beach can be pretty cool, and really it's only a 15-ish-minute drive to the track. The next issue--in the mail now--has a nice guide to the event. Hopefully that helps you make the most of your trip.