I was a first timer last year, it is the experience of a lifetime.
This is unlike any other motorsports event that you have ever been to. Absolutely fantastic people, creativity and engineering like no other, breathtaking setting, you have to experience it to know what folks are talking about, it can't be adequately described or pictured. I now know why some many are so addicted to the place.
We were there the first 4 days and stayed at the Bend. Wow. We had commecial grade fireworks shows most every night, some times in three different directions at the same time. If you like vintage style hot rods, they are all around and they have some of the most interesting combinations I've ever seen. I highly recommend the venue if you can handle dry camping and close quarters. You can get a shower at the service station at the freeway interchange, if their water is working :>) Walking the Bend is an experience in its own right.
The folks at lands end are great and very helpful, always had a smile for everyone. You might want to look at some of the remedies for driving on the salt, if you are bringing your own car. I'm still cleaning out salt. I've read, but not experienced, that some of the rental car companies can be a pain in the ass about taking their cars on to the salt. And you have to have a car to get around.
We spent our time between the pits, impound, the starting lanes and the starting line. I have to say that we really didn't spend much time actually watching the cars go flying by along the course.
The pits is an experiend itself, the share number of cars and the variety is mind-boggling. We took hundreds of pictures and talked to hundreds of folks. I think we only had one pit where the folks were less than cordial, and that may have been cause they were preping the car. We had people pose with their cars, they'd ask us how we wanted to take pictures, they were wonderful. Most were very happy to discuss the engineering and performance of their rides.
We had the same kind of experience at the starting line, as long as we didn't bother folks that were next up to start, sort of common sense. Lots of good picture opportunities there also. Some of the starting procedures are quite elaborate. The Poteet and Main starts were quite something to watch, as were most of the high-end streamliners.
You can get quite close to the vehicles and their push rigs provided that you listen to the officials and get back when you are told to. You might want to bring ear plugs. There was a Jeep pickup and a Deuce coupe that had just earsplitting powerplants.
A couple of thoughts about clothing and sun protection. White is good, that's what all the officals wear, to ward off the heat soak from the sun. Bring a canopy to sit under. Big hats, mondo sunblocker to slather on, even under your chin and nose, cause the salt bounces the light to places you wouldn't expect. Sunglasses are a must.
Not much in the way of food vendors, so you might want to bring a packed cooler. We did have breakfast on the salt one morning and it was great. Prices are what you would expect at a motorsports event.
If you want to buy t-shirts, posters etc, do it the first day. They will run out. Buy yourself a rule book, before hand if possible, cause all the markings on the cars are "greek" until you get the book.
Get there as early as you can at least one day, and stay as late as you can another. Its a fantastic place.
Bob
