I know about Racer magazine, but my question is, I'm going to St. Pete. and I live in SC. What can expect to gain from becoming a Champion member? I'm not really sure what pre-race access and some of those other things mean.
I know about Racer magazine, but my question is, I'm going to St. Pete. and I live in SC. What can expect to gain from becoming a Champion member? I'm not really sure what pre-race access and some of those other things mean.
I'm assuming by the lack of responses that it is not worth the money.
Just saw your thread, thought I would give you my thoughts . . .
I've been a "paying" member for several years now, champion, downforce, crew, . . . the name has changed a few times over the last few years. This past year, the Champion Membership, in my opinion, was not worth the money, and just an FYI, I used left over Downforce points to renew the membership when they disbanded the Downforce program last year. So basically I had a free membership last year and I felt it was awful, I will not be renewing, and I typically go to 4 or 5 races a year.
Previously, members were rewarded for watching and attending races, you earned points like a frequent flier program and you could cash them in for some nice stuff including tickets and rides. This last year it was a sign up deal, and unless you got lucky when you logged in, you got nothing. I think that is a pretty crappy way to reward your loyal paying fans. Call it bitterness or whatever, but I thought it kind of sucked.
Also, they used to schedule the pre race stuff and driver appearances for the members at better times. In the past 2 to 3 years, they scheduled the stuff during other on track sessions, so if you went to the appearance of pre race gathering, you were missing on track stuff, and to make matters worse, you really couldn't hear because the cars were screaming by.
Just my opinion, there may be others with better opinions of the new program, but in my opinion, it went from something that rewarded loyal customers with swag, tickets, and opportunities to get up close and personal to a paid raffle where if you got lucky you might get to go on a pace car ride, or get to be on the track for driver intros, but only if you logged in and signed up fast enough.
If you're attending a race, being a paid member is totally worth the money.
Last year I got a Pace Car ride for free, I got Pre-Race Access To driver intros
It was much better in the past though, 2010, I got 2 Free Silver Grandstand tickets, 1 Free Paddock Pass, Pre and Post Race festivities and free membership renewal. Now the items are First-Come First-Serve online, and there are far less things to get. Hopefully 2012 membership benefits are better than 2011.
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like since our trip to St. Pete came together "last minute" so to speak, it isn't really worth it for me to join. Sounds like there wouldn't be any benefit to it for me. I guess I'll just use that money to put toward paddock passes.Originally Posted by GrafixMatt
I think you would get your money's worth out of it by attending the race. I would think you still have time before St. Pete.
Just for the subscription to Racer is worth the cost of the membership.
I know last year was the first for Liza and crew to get ramped up, so I am hoping they will make it even better with some more perks such as tickets and exclusive access.
I'm surprised they don't have anything up for St.Pete's yet.
Yeah, the bad part about going to St. Pete only is that it is the first race. Doesn't look like there will be any new diecast, or any new swag at all yet. I would LOVE to get a DW12 signed by a driver there. That and come back with a couple new shirts. Oh well, I guess I'll try my best at enjoying practice, qualifying, and 10 different races, including the first for the DW12. Yeah... I'll just try and suck it up, haha.
They don't do that stuff until the Tuesday beore the race. So, there's still time to get all of it.
Last year St. Pete's tickets were 15% off to members. Hopefully Toronto has a Members discount this year.
2010, members got to take a pic with Will Power in Victory Lane.
OK, so I took the plunge. I am now a Champion member. Thought it was strange that I didn't get an e-mail confirming the receipt of my money or explaining my membership privledges.
So I guess I'm confused. What stuff is offered the Tuesday before the race? Do they give out tickets and paddock passes then? I was going to go ahead and get tickets and passes, especially considering the website says that it will cost you and extra $10 if you buy tickets at the gate, and other service and handling charges.
So it seems as though I can buy my tickets now and wait on the paddock passes. If I win the paddock passes, then great, if not, then it cost me an extra $10 in fees to pick them up when I get there.
Also, I guess I'll call the ticket office and see if there is a discount for St. Pete tickets again, that'd be nice. I haven't seen anything anywhere, has anyone else?
I really miss the logging in for points (by watching races and answering trivia) and redeeming them.
These are the 3 sections of the Indycar Nation ste you want to check frequently.
http://indycarnation.indycar.com/benefits-offers
http://indycarnation.indycar.com/experiences
http://indycarnation.indycar.com/member-alerts
Last year the Paddock Passes, Pacecar Rides and Pre-Race Driver introductions were available the Tuesday prior to the race on the Member-alerts page and experiences page. The race ticket discount appeared with a promo code on the Benefits-Offers page, along with the other promo-codes to get a discount on other items, like Indycar Online shop, Just Pop In Popcorn, iRacing, Avis Rent-A-Car etc.
CHAMPION MEMBERS RECEIVE:
- Free IZOD Indy Car series hat & lanyard
- Membership card
- 10% off merchandise (online store & at track)
- Pre-race access
- Tickets and pit passes
- Travel offers and packages
- VIP access at race events
- Driver meet & greets
- Offers for race weekend activities
- Contests and giveaways
- Weekly e-news & exclusive stories
- Updates on 2012 car
- Fantasy Racing
- INDY Race Control
- AVIS Rental Car discounts
- Health plan & prescription card offers
- Racer Magazine Subscription
Opportunities for St. Petes...
HONDA INDY GRAND PRIX OF ST. PETERSBURG
Champion member events & offers...
Watch for more details and information on when reservations or RSVP's will open.
THURSDAY
-Opportunities for pace car rides
-Take a track walk with guided tour
-Opportunities to ride in the Festival of States parade
FRIDAY
-Get access to the INDYCAR suite
-Opportunities for private garage tour
-Member social at local bar or restaurant
-Opportunities to attend official SPGP Welcome Party
SATURDAY
-Driver meet-n-greet & special giveaways
-Opportunities for special access during qualifying
-INDYCAR Merchandise "Power Hour" in the Fan Village
SUNDAY
-Opportunities for private garage tour
-Pre-race & grid access prior to green flag
-Chance to be "fan of the race" for driver intros
-Opportunities to ride in parade laps
*Watch for more information each week! All events and offers are subject to change and may be available in limited quantities.
**Pit/garage credentials will be available in limited quantities and posted on the Offers/Experiences page once quantities are confirmed.
I saw that and got the e-mail yesterday. I appreciate the post. I'm looking forward to the race weekend very much. I think I joined just because it let me do something related to IndyCar right now, haha.
I thought the Champion membership was going to do something too. Wife and I went to Vegas, thinkng we would be able to cash in on the perks. Many offers are for Champion members "ONLY", so no guests. Couldn't really justify her being a champion member.
Just as you are finding out the communication side is lacking a bunch. For some reason there is very little email with event information. There was a fan fest type area at one of the casinos the day before the race. It was open to the public, what did my membership do for me there?
There was a raffle for "Members Only" that showed up, but I didn't find out about it until 5 minutes before the drawing. When I went to the area to get my ticket, I was told it was for memebers only, (of which I was) and that they stopped giving chances 30 mins prior.
Just venting, but I couldn't see the value of the Champion membership.
Glad you joined WSIndyFan. I've been very happy with mine. Sometimes things are a little thrown together at the tracks but I think Anne and Liza do very well for what is probably limited resources. For not too much money, the hat and Racer magazine are worth it alone to me. Good odds at winning stuff before a race, listening to drivers speak in a small relaxed environment and conversing with lots of nice race fans really puts it over the top. Welcome!
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