Final weekend, in what’s turning into one thing of a Carroll household custom, we drove ten hours to affix Peter Hughes at Watkins Glen for an IMSA race. We camped within the infield, survived a deluge, poked across the paddock, noticed some mates and frolicked among the many race automobiles. It was about as a lot enjoyable as I’ve had all 12 months. None of it required me to flash a special-access journalist card, both. You possibly can be having the very same enjoyable as me, just about.
I do know folks have fond reminiscences of IMSA within the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and probably ‘90s. However I’m sure that sports activities automotive racing in America is best than it’s ever been. This — proper now — is its golden age. Have you ever seen the Cadillacs do the bump begin factor? Please, I implore you. Don’t miss this. No matter your age, you may be useless a lot earlier than you suppose. This period of IMSA will most likely be useless earlier than that. It’s known as ‘lightning in a bottle’ for a purpose. If in any respect doable, get your ass to an IMSA race.
A few of you could have already executed it. Daytona noticed report crowds for Rolex once more this 12 months, TV viewership was up. Laguna Seca reported its largest-ever progress in ticket gross sales year-over-year. Lengthy Seashore offered out. Watkins Glen was packed to the rafters with campers and spectators all weekend. The grid was the most important since 1984, comprised of 57 automobiles, many coming off top-of-the-line ever runnings of the 24 Hours of LeMans.
A weekend’s price of entry goes to value you round 100 bucks and it’s much less should you simply need to catch the precise race. A variety of tracks let you camp, which makes the weekend cheaper and so much less complicated from a logistical standpoint. Tenting additionally permits you higher entry to the paddock when the daytime crowds depart and it’s probably extra enjoyable for mates who’re much less into the entire, automobiles ripping round on a monitor factor. Total, the weekend ought to value about what parking close to an F1 circuit on a race weekend prices.
There are six races left on the schedule this 12 months. Seize tickets, fill a cooler, dig out your tent and go watch among the greatest racing anybody’s ever seen.
