Attending Sonoma (HELP NEEDED)

[Downforcer]

Me and my buddy are going to be attending our first ever Indycar race at Sonoma this month.

I was looking online at the IndyCar All Access pass for $99 and we are looking into getting that but I heard the main grandstands are not good seats, so a couple of questions:
1) What are the best seats at Sonoma?
2) Do we need a pass for the Driver Autograph Session?

We are arriving on Saturday morning and want to attend qualifying and the autograph session on Saturday and hopefully get a Garage/Pit pass on Sunday before the race so any advice on what we should get to accomplish this (Package or individual ticket-pass?)

Also what is a close distance, fair priced hotel to stay at around there?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[ARROWZ46]

Downforcer:

(1) Last time I was @Sonoma... we walked around to get different views of the track. Laguna Seca allows fans to walk to more spots, but you are asking about Sonoma!

(2) Driver autograph sessions are usually held in Gen. Admission areas.

[BadazzZ06]

The Sears Point (Sonoma Raceway) website has a good list of places to stay.

http://www.racesonoma.com/fanguide/travel/lodging/

None are "close distance" as the raceway is not in an urban area. Novato is the closest town. Look at Google maps or a similar resource to judge distances ... but no matter where you stay (unless you have an RV at the track) you will need to plan on driving to the track. Also be aware there is little "cheap" lodgings in the area, as you are entering the popular wine country area, so demand for lodgings is pretty high year round.

The main grandstands have advantages/disadvantages over other locations ...

* No matter where you sit, the course is large and built in a hilly area, so no one location allows you to see the entire track. Most seating areas have large video screens that show the race video during the race.

* The grandstands allow you to directly see some pit activity, and the start/finish line, which other areas don't give you.

* The seating areas at turn 2 and turn 7 are good locations if you want to see passing and other action, especially turn 7. The turn 3 seating is usually closed for Indycar races. I don't personally like the views from the turn 9 stands.

* No matter where you sit, plan on walking around, there are several locations that give good views that are not part of the seating areas.

* Wear walking shoes .... you will do a lot over the weekend. Also bring sun protection, there is little shade and it will be HOT by afternoon.

* You can take in bottled water (plastic) and the concession prices are high, so take in water of your own if you don't mind carrying it. You can buy beer, but can't bring it in yourself, though the checking of bags is often sporadic.

As ARROWZ46 said, the autograph sessions are usually held in the area open to any ticket holder. Whether you want to spend the money on garage/pit access is up to you, I'm not sure how much access you get at an Indycar race, most races at Sonoma have very limited access even for pit/garage pass holders as the area is small and crowds at Sonoma can be large (though not so much for Indycar).

I'd go for Turn 7 seating before I did the Grandstand, but that's just me ... the Grandstands provide good views also.

Have fun !!!

[neti1]

Me and my buddy are going to be attending our first ever Indycar race at Sonoma this month.

I was looking online at the IndyCar All Access pass for $99 and we are looking into getting that but I heard the main grandstands are not good seats, so a couple of questions:
1) What are the best seats at Sonoma?
2) Do we need a pass for the Driver Autograph Session?

We are arriving on Saturday morning and want to attend qualifying and the autograph session on Saturday and hopefully get a Garage/Pit pass on Sunday before the race so any advice on what we should get to accomplish this (Package or individual ticket-pass?)

Also what is a close distance, fair priced hotel to stay at around there?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

Section 9 gives the best views. You can see almost the entire track from there. It's pretty easy to walk around the track, and they have shuttles between parking lots and seating areas, and between the different seating areas. Very user-friendly.

[WheelerDealer]

Turn 2. You are top of the hill and can enjoy most of the track along with scenic valley views. As a clue, high end hospitality is adjacent - turn 3

[BadazzZ06]

If you're gonna sit in the turn 9 stands and want to "see" the track, bring binoculars ... seriously.

[ttturner68]

Last year near I started out in the grandstands and quickly moved to 2/3 at the top. You can just about see the entire track from there. Wished I had sat in turn 7 because almost all the passes happen there but this year might be different.

I have no idea how long to wait for the traffic to clear.... We went to victory lane watched the interviews, walked around the paddock and still traffic was backed up. Maybe a post race nap would do the trick.

[Downforcer]

The Sears Point (Sonoma Raceway) website has a good list of places to stay.

http://www.racesonoma.com/fanguide/travel/lodging/

None are "close distance" as the raceway is not in an urban area. Novato is the closest town. Look at Google maps or a similar resource to judge distances ... but no matter where you stay (unless you have an RV at the track) you will need to plan on driving to the track. Also be aware there is little "cheap" lodgings in the area, as you are entering the popular wine country area, so demand for lodgings is pretty high year round.

The main grandstands have advantages/disadvantages over other locations ...

* No matter where you sit, the course is large and built in a hilly area, so no one location allows you to see the entire track. Most seating areas have large video screens that show the race video during the race.

* The grandstands allow you to directly see some pit activity, and the start/finish line, which other areas don't give you.

* The seating areas at turn 2 and turn 7 are good locations if you want to see passing and other action, especially turn 7. The turn 3 seating is usually closed for Indycar races. I don't personally like the views from the turn 9 stands.

* No matter where you sit, plan on walking around, there are several locations that give good views that are not part of the seating areas.

* Wear walking shoes .... you will do a lot over the weekend. Also bring sun protection, there is little shade and it will be HOT by afternoon.

* You can take in bottled water (plastic) and the concession prices are high, so take in water of your own if you don't mind carrying it. You can buy beer, but can't bring it in yourself, though the checking of bags is often sporadic.

As ARROWZ46 said, the autograph sessions are usually held in the area open to any ticket holder. Whether you want to spend the money on garage/pit access is up to you, I'm not sure how much access you get at an Indycar race, most races at Sonoma have very limited access even for pit/garage pass holders as the area is small and crowds at Sonoma can be large (though not so much for Indycar).

I'd go for Turn 7 seating before I did the Grandstand, but that's just me ... the Grandstands provide good views also.

Have fun !!!

Thank you for the time and effort to post this long post full of great information. Very much appreciated.

And thanks also to Arrowz, neti1, WheelerDealer and tturner68 for your feedback as well. All helpful. Cant wait for this trip.

[RyanRacing]

I liked turn two last year, you get to see a ton of the track. The nice thing though is that they are pretty relaxed there and you can often move around quite a bit. They seem to really only check tickets in the grandstand area. Not too big of a fan of the grandstands though, you really only see the pits.

Not sure if you will bSaturday on Friday or saturday but you should try to use part of a day to Just move around and figure out the best spot for you.

[JMFVET]

I will be there saturday and Sunday. Seats high in Earnhardt stands give you a view of most of the track. Walking around unfortunately not in the plan as three of the four in my group are "mobility challenged " but I do recommend exploring on Saturday, bringing binocs, and seats in Turn two or turn seven for the race. Those areas allow views of passing areas from multiple angles.

[Mindervillain]

I agree with most everything Badazz wrote, but I suspect most of his experience there is with NASCAR.

With IndyCar the garage pass gives great access to the garages and, except for during the race, even directly behind the pit crews. Also you'll be able to be on track during the gridding (if it's like past years).

Traffic leaving the track is still bad, but not nearly as bad as during a Cup weekend. After spending over 4 hours just waiting to get out the gate I've refused to attend any more Cup races there.

Less expensive lodging can be had east of the track around Vallejo and it's about the same distance from the track as Novato. I can't really recommend any particular place since the guy I go to the races with is total cheapskate and insists on staying with all the gang-bangers at the Vallejo Motel 6 - which I do not recommend (we're both retired cops - well, he's retired Highwy Patrol which is sort of like being a real cop - so we're at least able to protect ourselves) but there's the usual mid-level chain lodging nearby.

How long are you planning to be in the area? If you're a baseball fan you can get to A.T.&T. Park where the Giants play by taking a Ferry from Vallejo directly to the Park. I've never done it, but I've been researching it for future planning. Also the Napa Valley wine country is easily accessed from Vallejo.

[BadazzZ06]

I agree with most everything Badazz wrote, but I suspect most of his experience there is with NASCAR.

Bingo ... though I did attend either the 06 or 07 Indycar race, but didn't want to base my comments on that experience as it is out of date ... so I tried to keep it generic.

Good to know that the Indycar pit passes are worth the money, I'll consider that for next year, can't do this year because of a family event.

Most of the problems with getting out of the Raceway are because of the crappy job done by the CHP in traffic control .... (a dig at your friend ... LOL ) ....

Truth be told there just isn't enough road to get the huge number of cars out of the raceway in a timely manner. If the entrance to the parking areas off Lakeville Hwy are open, use them, and then use Lakeville Hwy to exit the track. The traffic flow is usually better onto that than the more limited flow onto Hwy 121. Regardless, be prepared to wait ... there is no "quick" way out of the track.

Great idea about taking the ferry to AT&T park .... the views from the bay of the city, the bridges, islands like Angel and Alcatraz .... make a ferry trip very worthwhile, regardless of what you do at the destination.

http://goldengateferry.org/

Good suggestions Mindervillian ....

[Mindervillain]

Actually the Golden Gate Ferry goes between Larkspur / Sausalito and San Francisco. To get to S.F. from Oakland, Alameda or Vallejo you need to catch a ride on the San Francisco Bay Ferry: http://www.sanfranciscobayferry.com/

Don't feel bad, Badazz, out of towners always know the tourist stuff better than the locals. During the first half of my life I lived in the Bay Area. It wasn't until I moved to the Tahoe area that I started seeing the Bay Area from a tourist perspective. I enjoy visiting there - but I wouldn't even think of moving back.

[texacostar05]

I can't wait for the trip...arriving Thursday from Indiana meeting my brother in from Hawaii...2 giants games and track on Saturday and Sunday..staying in Petaluma...home of Russian river brewing which I hear has some great beers.

[ttturner68]

Lodging Fairfield/Vacaville is very reasonable

[BadazzZ06]

..staying in Petaluma...home of Russian river brewing which I hear has some great beers.

If you're interested in breweries ....

http://www.anchorbrewing.com/ Many consider this to be the birth place of the "microbrewery", a trend that continues to this day.

http://www.gordonbiersch.com/brewery/index.html Used to have a restaurant near AT&T Park ... I believe they still have a concession stand in the park .. also one at SFO airport - Terminal 3.

http://www.californiacraftbeer.com/w...e/brewery-map/ For a listing of just some of the "craft" breweries in California

Cheers !!!

[WheelerDealer]

I will be there saturday and Sunday. Seats high in Earnhardt stands give you a view of most of the track. Walking around unfortunately not in the plan as three of the four in my group are "mobility challenged " but I do recommend exploring on Saturday, bringing binocs, and seats in Turn two or turn seven for the race. Those areas allow views of passing areas from multiple angles.

In the Earnhardt Terrace (T2), you can see into the cockpits as drivers fight the wheel to make the uphill slightly off camber 90 degree turn. Very interesting at the start and restarts at that point. With regard to parking - I was way out in the West 40 hills for my first race and decided to drive away from the traffic on a lonely road leading West from the track. It was the best! I eventually hit the exit on a county road that led directly to Sonoma, where I was staying. It was great. Zero traffic. I had a few followers. See link of satellite view. We took Cougar Mountain Drive to Lakeville Highway.


http://maps.google.com/maps?sugexp=c...d=0CIYBEPwSMAM


If staying in Sonoma, you can do better traffic egress, even if you are parked closer to the track proper. I am lucky enough to score a reserved spot the last 2 years and have an easy time with exiting since I bypass the conventional exits.

[texacostar05]

If you're interested in breweries ....

http://www.anchorbrewing.com/ Many consider this to be the birth place of the "microbrewery", a trend that continues to this day.

http://www.gordonbiersch.com/brewery/index.html Used to have a restaurant near AT&T Park ... I believe they still have a concession stand in the park .. also one at SFO airport - Terminal 3.

http://www.californiacraftbeer.com/w...e/brewery-map/ For a listing of just some of the "craft" breweries in California

Cheers !!!

Thanks..will hit a few of those

[irlracingfan]

I usually sit in turn 2 (Sect, D, E or F are best), but have also sat in the main grandstand, and turn 9 (Sect. F, G , H or I are best). If you sit in turn two, you'll be able to see almost all of the track EXCEPT the pit action, the start- finish line and the hairpin. The view at turn nine is from the opposite side of the track, but you can see pretty much the same areas as in turn 2, except you WILL be able to see the pits. If you sit in the main grandstand, you can see the cars come down the hill out of turn 7 and follow them MOST of the way around, depending on where you sit. The best grandstand seats are at the ends. If you sit on the north end, you can follow them up the hill towards turn 2, and if you sit at the south end, you can see them come out of the hairpin. I concure with the others in the idea of walking around, especially on Friday and/or Saturday. You can walk virtually the entire circuit from the OUTSIDE of the track.

As to lodging, I have stayed in San Francisco, but remember to bring money to pay the toll across the Golden Gate bridge. There WERE only charging the toll as you re-enter San Francisco, but not when you leave... so do NOT do as I did and spend all your money at the track. Save five bucks to pay the toll back into the city. It cost me $40.00 in fines!!!

There ARE places north of the city of SF, but I'd call early to book the room now... as most of them sell out.

Unfortunately, I cannot go this year... the band is on booked Saturday night and it's too far to drive on Sunday morning. (600+ miles)

[BadazzZ06]

irlracingfan .... good description of everything EXCEPT the bridge toll.

If you're paying cash it is $6.00 (they upped it from $5.00) when you cross the Golden Gate bridge going southbound (no toll for northbound traffic).

If you're paying with a FasTrak "card" then your account is charged $5.00 for the southbound crossing.

All of the bridges in the bay area are toll bridges, with all collecting in only one direction. Only CASH or a valid FasTrak card are accepted as payment.

There are "carpool" lanes available at certain hours on the Golden Gate bridge, but ONLY a FasTrak card can be used to get the discounted ($3.00) toll. If you're paying cash it is ALWAYS $6.00 per 2 axle vehicle, regardless of when you cross or how many people are in the car.

Only certain lanes have toll takers in them for cash payments. Watch the signs for the appropriate lane(s). If you blow through in a FasTrak lane without a FasTrak card the toll district bills the rental car company, and they in turn will bill you, and that will include the missed toll, the bridge toll penalty, and a fee charged by the rental company. WAY CHEAPER to have cash on hand and stop and pay the toll.

[Downforcer]

Wow this is alot more than I expected.

Thank you to everyone who posted on this thread. Your information has been very helpful.