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Thread: Where to sit at NHMS?

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    Insider FTHurley's Avatar
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    Where to sit at NHMS?

    I'm about to buy tickets for the Loudon race, and I can pick either the main grandstand along the front straight or the Concord grandstand around turn 1.

    Anybody been to Loudon? Which is better? Turn 1 seems more exciting, but is the main stand more comfortable or easier to get to?

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    I Don't Post Toasted mdkiel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FTHurley View Post
    I'm about to buy tickets for the Loudon race, and I can pick either the main grandstand along the front straight or the Concord grandstand around turn 1.

    Anybody been to Loudon? Which is better? Turn 1 seems more exciting, but is the main stand more comfortable or easier to get to?
    I sat in Turn 1 up high for the "T Stewart laps the field 3 times" race in '96. If you like the "comin' atcha" view, they are excellent seats. You can see the entire track from these seats.
    50 - Jason Leffler - Treadway Racing - G-Force/Oldsmobile

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    Insider FTHurley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mdkiel View Post
    I sat in Turn 1 up high for the "T Stewart laps the field 3 times" race in '96. If you like the "comin' atcha" view, they are excellent seats. You can see the entire track from these seats.
    Thanks! Yeah, I think that makes sense.

  4. #4
    I plan on attending that race also if I can get the time off. Turn 1 sounds like the best bang for your buck.
    It will be my first visit to an oval track.

    Oddly enough, according to Google Maps, there is a 12 minute travel difference amongst Watkins Glen, Loudon, and Baltimore from where i live.

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by FTHurley View Post
    I'm about to buy tickets for the Loudon race, and I can pick either the main grandstand along the front straight or the Concord grandstand around turn 1.

    Anybody been to Loudon? Which is better? Turn 1 seems more exciting, but is the main stand more comfortable or easier to get to?
    Turn one is where we always sit. If you are in the main grandstand the walls are pretty tall and when the cars are close to the wall you can't see them. Also, if anybody stands up in front of you forget it. Plenty of concessions and restrooms and the midway is on that end also, and so is the tunnel into the infield. Kinda one stop shopping. Rows 31-50 are pretty good and reasonable. Anything higher and it is a long f**king climb back and forth and you can see 99% of the track from 31-50. Try to get aisle seats. Trust me. Also, they have a big screen set up in that corner. And, they allow coolers. Accessibility depends on where you park. I know during NASCAR weekends they run a tram. Assuming they wiil be doing the same for IndyCar. I would call to check.
    Last edited by open wheeler; 06-23-2011 at 02:51 PM.

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    Insider FTHurley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by drewdawg727 View Post
    I plan on attending that race also if I can get the time off. Turn 1 sounds like the best bang for your buck.
    It will be my first visit to an oval track.

    Oddly enough, according to Google Maps, there is a 12 minute travel difference amongst Watkins Glen, Loudon, and Baltimore from where i live.
    Jersey?

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    Insider FTHurley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by open wheeler View Post
    Turn one is where we always sit. If you are in the main grandstand the walls are pretty tall and when the cars are close to the wall you can't see them. Also, if anybody stands up in front of you forget it. Plenty of concessions and restrooms and the midway is on that end also, and so is the tunnel into the infield. Kinda one stop shopping. Rows 31-50 are pretty good and reasonable. Anything higher and it is a long f**king climb back and forth and you can see 99% of the track from 31-50. Try to get aisle seats. Trust me. Also, they have a big screen set up in that corner. And, they allow coolers. Accessibility depends on where you park.
    Thanks.

    And in general, I love you guys. You always deliver the real-deal info.

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    Nah i'm just outside NYC to the North.

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    Registered User solvera's Avatar
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    Unless my people cancel, I'm sitting in the wheelchair accessible section near turn one. We've got one scooter user, one person who uses a funky walker-thing, and one who uses a cane. The other five of us are ambulatory. We're all using General Admission tickets. I'm excited to be that close to the action but if I have trouble seeing I may run up a few rows during the race if there's room.

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    Insider FTHurley's Avatar
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    I just bought tickets. Three adult tickets in section CA of the Concord Grandstand (the first section, right at the entry to turn one). Row 37, which should give us a good view of the whole place, and it's the first three seats, so we're on the aisle. I also got three garage passes. Should be mailed out in a couple of weeks. Lady on the phone was very helpful.

    If anyone from NHMS ever lurks here, thanks! It was a painless process. And thanks again to the folks who gave advice. I really appreciate it.

    This'll be my Dad's first race. He's a life-long racing fan, and it's the week after his birthday, so I hope he enjoys it.

    Now I need to figure out if I can afford a plane ticket and hotel room for Vegas, since I'll have the freebie. May be time to swallow hard and hit the AMEX.

    WOOT!!!

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by FTHurley View Post
    I just bought tickets. Three adult tickets in section CA of the Concord Grandstand (the first section, right at the entry to turn one). Row 37, which should give us a good view of the whole place, and it's the first three seats, so we're on the aisle. I also got three garage passes. Should be mailed out in a couple of weeks. Lady on the phone was very helpful.

    If anyone from NHMS ever lurks here, thanks! It was a painless process. And thanks again to the folks who gave advice. I really appreciate it.

    This'll be my Dad's first race. He's a life-long racing fan, and it's the week after his birthday, so I hope he enjoys it.

    Now I need to figure out if I can afford a plane ticket and hotel room for Vegas, since I'll have the freebie. May be time to swallow hard and hit the AMEX.

    WOOT!!!
    I'm farther down in CJ. I like the coming at you feeling. CA is good but, the big screen will be a little harder to see and the cars still will be harder to see down the front straightaway if they're against the wall. But, all in all good seats. You WILL appreciate the aisle. Also, if your credentialing the track office is just outside the first turn. NHMS is ALWAYS friendly and anything you want to know about the facility you can find on their website. You can always send Gappens an e-mail thanking the track. I know when I had an issue with the garage passes I got a pretty quick response from an associate and personal service. NH is very fan friendly. A little expensive but, you can find ways to save money. You will LOVE NH. Think of a super size Martinsville. LONG straights and tight, narrow corners. Lots of braking!

  12. #12
    NH is not expensive compared to MA, ME or VT. Remember folks, no sales tax!

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by flatblack View Post
    NH is not expensive compared to MA, ME or VT. Remember folks, no sales tax!
    Race free or die!

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    Insider FTHurley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by open wheeler View Post
    I'm farther down in CJ. I like the coming at you feeling. CA is good but, the big screen will be a little harder to see and the cars still will be harder to see down the front straightaway if they're against the wall. But, all in all good seats. You WILL appreciate the aisle. Also, if your credentialing the track office is just outside the first turn. NHMS is ALWAYS friendly and anything you want to know about the facility you can find on their website. You can always send Gappens an e-mail thanking the track. I know when I had an issue with the garage passes I got a pretty quick response from an associate and personal service. NH is very fan friendly. A little expensive but, you can find ways to save money. You will LOVE NH. Think of a super size Martinsville. LONG straights and tight, narrow corners. Lots of braking!
    Yeah, I was torn, but she said CA will have a great line of sight down the front stretch, while still giving a good view of the turn.

    We'll see how it goes. I can always move a few rows over for 2012.

  15. #15
    Pop-Off Valve Grizzlor's Avatar
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    Given the choice, I always sit in Turn 1 or 3 on ovals. Which is why I hate Pocono, no corner seating!

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    I Don't Post Toasted mdkiel's Avatar
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    You'd better hope the NASCAR modifieds aren't on the card. If they are you may not want to watch anything else -- I have never seen a better combo than the Mod Squad on the Magic Mile.

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by mdkiel View Post
    You'd better hope the NASCAR modifieds aren't on the card. If they are you may not want to watch anything else -- I have never seen a better combo than the Mod Squad on the Magic Mile.
    They are! And, you're right!

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by FTHurley View Post
    Yeah, I was torn, but she said CA will have a great line of sight down the front stretch, while still giving a good view of the turn.

    We'll see how it goes. I can always move a few rows over for 2012.
    Well, experience is the best lesson and everyone has different tastes. I just hope that the info was beneficial and you enjoy yourself and that your dad does too.

  19. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by solvera View Post
    Unless my people cancel, I'm sitting in the wheelchair accessible section near turn one. We've got one scooter user, one person who uses a funky walker-thing, and one who uses a cane. The other five of us are ambulatory. We're all using General Admission tickets. I'm excited to be that close to the action but if I have trouble seeing I may run up a few rows during the race if there's room.
    If I think you are where you are I would bring some rope to strap them down.

  20. #20
    Insider FTHurley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by open wheeler View Post
    Well, experience is the best lesson and everyone has different tastes. I just hope that the info was beneficial and you enjoy yourself and that your dad does too.
    Thanks, it totally was! I was going to pick the main grandstand by default, so I really appreciate the guidance. This will be my first oval race. Only other races I've been to were at the Glen.

    I'm am PUMPED for this race.

  21. #21
    Reset your fuel,Go Go Go Z28's Avatar
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    It's a tougher choice if you only go to a race or two. At Indy I've been in the NE Vista for so long and never sat on the front straight so at Milwaukee and Iowa I want to be on the front to be able to see the pits for a change of pace. Video boards help you to see where you're not nowdays.
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    Quote Originally Posted by flatblack View Post
    NH is not expensive compared to MA, ME or VT. Remember folks, no sales tax!
    My old man drives from Mass to NH to buy his smokes, booze, and gas.

  23. #23
    never was wannabe debdrake's Avatar
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    Fair warning - unless things have changed in recent years, the route to the track is a country road - and traffic tends to be horrendous. (In fact, heading southbound on rt 95 late on a Sunday afternoon tends to be horrendous, period.) If you're not in a rush to get out of there, post-race tailgating might be an option.

    Yes, for those who aren't familiar with them, the Modifieds do put on a good show. Note that in my opinion, at least, they tend to be louder than the Indycars.

    Another note - if you're thinking of spending the weekend in New England, but only want to spend Sunday in Loudon, there are a few other tracks in CT/Mass that put on a great show. Also, be warned - it can brutally hot in New Hampshire.

    Oh - and it's a cheap state to buy booze and smokes.
    I'm from a place called the internet. Nothing disturbs me.

  24. #24
    Registered User solvera's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by open wheeler View Post
    If I think you are where you are I would bring some rope to strap them down.
    Doh! The folks using mobility aids cancelled on me today. So its just the five of us sitting anywhere that General Admission lets us. So I'm torn. When I watched a Nationwide race at NHMS I was in row 27 or so near the start/finish line and I could see just fine. When I went to Sprint Cup race I was in Row 6, near the start/finish line. It was too close to make out any details in the front, unless the driver had a really distinctive paint scheme. But being that close to those cars....to date, the drop of that green flag when those 43 cars vroomed towards us was the most exhilarating, magical moment of my life.

    I fully expect IndyCar to be even more exciting considering the speeds and, well, cause its IndyCar.

  25. #25
    Quote Originally Posted by solvera View Post
    Doh! The folks using mobility aids cancelled on me today. So its just the five of us sitting anywhere that General Admission lets us. So I'm torn. When I watched a Nationwide race at NHMS I was in row 27 or so near the start/finish line and I could see just fine. When I went to Sprint Cup race I was in Row 6, near the start/finish line. It was too close to make out any details in the front, unless the driver had a really distinctive paint scheme. But being that close to those cars....to date, the drop of that green flag when those 43 cars vroomed towards us was the most exhilarating, magical moment of my life.

    I fully expect IndyCar to be even more exciting considering the speeds and, well, cause its IndyCar.
    Well if you're there Saturday I'm pretty sure it's all GA so you can check out some locations. And, GA on Sunday is up to row 30 and that's good enough to see the bulk of the track. What is great is that the back straight is actually higher than the front straight so that is really easy to see. I have no doubt you will be able to find a seat to your liking. I saw CART and IRL in the mid to late 90's and even though I enjoy NASCAR there they couldn't hold a candle to the speed and competition the open wheelers provided. PUMPED is a understatement.

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    Quote Originally Posted by FTHurley View Post
    I'm about to buy tickets for the Loudon race, and I can pick either the main grandstand along the front straight or the Concord grandstand around turn 1.

    Anybody been to Loudon? Which is better? Turn 1 seems more exciting, but is the main stand more comfortable or easier to get to?
    how are you ordering tickets, can you share any websites?
    hey you dang woodchucks, quit chucking my wood!

  27. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by Unzerdog View Post
    My old man drives from Mass to NH to buy his smokes, booze, and gas.
    Like I said there ARE ways to save money.

  28. #28
    Quote Originally Posted by chuckmeister View Post
    how are you ordering tickets, can you share any websites?
    Go to NHMS website and look at track maps under the Fans First tab. Then call them. You will find they are extremely helpful.

  29. #29
    I will be making my first trip up to Louden this year. I'm very much looking forward to it.

  30. #30
    Stig's Canadian Cousin porscheman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FTHurley View Post
    I'm about to buy tickets for the Loudon race, and I can pick either the main grandstand along the front straight or the Concord grandstand around turn 1.

    Anybody been to Loudon? Which is better? Turn 1 seems more exciting, but is the main stand more comfortable or easier to get to?
    Front row in front of your HD big screen would be my choice!



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