What do I need to bring to the Rolex 24?

Hi all,

I'm bringing kid #2 (age 10) with me to the Rolex 24 next week.  I have never attended the race (something of a bucket list item).  We routinely attend NASCAR races and know the routine on what to bring and what we don't need.

Avelo allows us a "personal item" each and thankfully the Mrs. gave me a cooler backpack a few years back that hits those dimensions perfectly.

I'll hit the local Walmart and grab us drinks and snacks to save a few bucks while we are there.  We are bringing hats and will buy some sunscreen.  I'm bringing a few disposable rain slickers too.

I own several scanners and noise canceling headphones but I'm debating whether it's worth it to drag a radio and two big headsets there and back.  Is there any chance to hear the PA system at the track or with multiple classes on track for a full day is it just so loud that we will be unable to keep up with the action?

Are there any other items we need that I didn't mention?   I (think I) know that we can come and go, so my plan on Saturday is to be there by 10:30 or so, and we will probably take off around 2:30 to go back to the hotel and let him swim and relax for a bit.  We will return around 6pm and I'm hopeful he can make it until midnight or so.  On Sunday we don't fly out until near 7pm so we can come mid-morning and hang out for the finish.  I paid quite a bit for up close parking so arriving and leaving can happen reasonably quickly.

Anyway, I'm wide open to input about the radios and anything else you see that we should consider.  Thank you!

Noise canceling headphones and regular foam ear protectors are both good ideas, it can be very loud.  
 

Also, people think florida and assume warmer weather, but several years i have seen temps dip into the low 40/high 30s at night.  Dress appropriately and it's easier to enjoy the fun.   
 

I usually walk 4-5 miles on friday and saturday running around (good shoes help), but there are trams available if you don't mind waiting for them.  

Flynlow hit the really important points. Tons of people don't give their kids ear protection, and they just ruin their hearing for life. I carry extra earplugs to give to kids. Look up Wolfgang Reip if you want to see how damaging ears ended his racing career 

Just to reiterate, plan for all types of weather. It could be hot in the sun, and jacket weather in the shade. Rain is always a possibility. 
 

And definitely your comfiest shoes. 

Iif you forget something there's a target across the street from the track. As well as some sporting goods stores.

You probably won't hear much of the PA system.

And make sure to stick around for fireworks! The grandstands are great for that, or the fence line by lake Lloyd (behind the Ferris wheel)

Bring a backpack with room for freebies, lots of vendors with free stuff

An FM radio with wired earbuds that you can sneak under shooting muffs works well.

Also, shoot me a message if you need a place to park.  I've got a tow pass that will get you into Gate 40 and you can park at my camping spot.  I'm not bringing a car this year so I won't use it.

Thank you for all of the replies!  I'm bringing our scanner with two pairs of headphones etc.  We packed today and heeded your advice about the potential for all manner of weather.  

Wae I sent you a PM.  The long story short is the track already knocked me out for parking in Lot 4, but i truly appreciate your offer of the parking spot!

Winter hat, warm gloves, warm undergarments(thermal underwear), blanket, comfy shoes, and the rest mentioned above. You would be surprised how difficult it is to buy a ski/winter hat in Daytona!

lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) said:

Winter hat, warm gloves, warm undergarments(thermal underwear), blanket, comfy shoes, and the rest mentioned above. You would be surprised how difficult it is to buy a ski/winter hat in Daytona!

Yes! I'd recommend bringing layers that you can shed and add throughout the day. The strong Florida sun might make it a tad warm, but when the sun goes down, the cold ocean air will chill you.

J.A. Ackley said:

lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) said:

Winter hat, warm gloves, warm undergarments(thermal underwear), blanket, comfy shoes, and the rest mentioned above. You would be surprised how difficult it is to buy a ski/winter hat in Daytona!

Yes! I'd recommend bringing layers that you can shed and add throughout the day. The strong Florida sun might make it a tad warm, but when the sun goes down, the cold ocean air will chill you.

Came here to say this. I bought some no-name thermal undershirt shirt and pants, and they kept me surprisingly warm throughout the race. Even when the sun came up, I never got too hot.

I'd also ensure you have plenty of sunscreen. I recall one year (before I worked here) that I watched the last hour or so from the stands. I ended up having a light sunburn on half of my face, thanks to the setting sun.

Loweguy5 said:

Thank you for all of the replies!  I'm bringing our scanner with two pairs of headphones etc.  We packed today and heeded your advice about the potential for all manner of weather.  

Wae I sent you a PM.  The long story short is the track already knocked me out for parking in Lot 4, but i truly appreciate your offer of the parking spot!

Sorry I didn't think of that earlier!  I just forgot that was part of the deal.

Something else that I almost always forget:  Chapstick.  The wind is just constant and my lips will start cracking and bleeding after a few hours of wandering around the track.

Also surprised how many kids I saw at the track this weekend without hearing protection. 

Another vote for weather protection, its going to be a chilly this year so I would grab some hand warmers while you are at the store.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

We are somewhat fantastical about hearing protection for ourselves and our children.  We attend so many NASCAR events we are well equipped!

In reply to Loweguy5 :

I keep ear plugs on my keychain. Be prepared, right? 

Uh...  Do we need to bring snowshovels and attach a plow to the front of the RV?

Seriously, it looks like some storm named Enzo is going to be beating the snot out of the south here in the next couple days.  My route is going to take me down I75 to I10 to I95.  We originally planned to leave tonight, but I think we're going to wait until tomorrow morning to see what's going on.  Anybody in that corridor have any intel on the situation?

wae said:

Uh...  Do we need to bring snowshovels and attach a plow to the front of the RV?

Seriously, it looks like some storm named Enzo is going to be beating the snot out of the south here in the next couple days.  My route is going to take me down I75 to I10 to I95.  We originally planned to leave tonight, but I think we're going to wait until tomorrow morning to see what's going on.  Anybody in that corridor have any intel on the situation?

I live in Gainesville and we're supposed to get snow and/or ice tonight. I-10 is going to be useless from what I've heard on the news. 

lotusseven7 (Forum Supporter) said:

Winter hat, warm gloves, warm undergarments(thermal underwear), blanket, comfy shoes, and the rest mentioned above. You would be surprised how difficult it is to buy a ski/winter hat in Daytona!

I cannot emphasize this enough. I don't know what it is about the track but, even when the air temp is not terribly low, it is FREEZING inside the track. That's why I'm so desirous of infield parking every year. I throw a ton of extra clothes in the car just to ensure we have enough to put on. 

Spoiler alert: I just something about how I‘d do the Rolex. Look for it online soon. 

Your helmet and your race license, just in case someone needs an extra driver? :)