Planning next motorsport trip. Suggestions?

"SubiSanchez" (sanchez20)
05/07/2014 at 17:58 • Filed to: None

So this year I was lucky enough to get to attend the Long Beach Grand Prix and it was a truly awesome The whole street festival atmosphere packed with racing action combined with the Southern California vibe made for a great experience. I'm already considering taking another motorsports weekend getaway but not sure what motorsports event would be great to attend. I had been considering the TUSC race at Laguna Seca but couldn't get time off from work this month and the F1 race in Austin seems to be out of my budget. Right now my top 2 options I've been considering are the NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma and the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. Anyone been to these events and have some tips or any other suggestions for motorsports events in the US.

DISCUSSION (14)

f86sabre > SubiSanchez
05/07/2014 at 18:07

I've been to all but one Petit and it is a great event. The track is very fan friendly, pits are open and the fans are great. Should be an interesting race with TUSC as well. That time of year is very nice in Atlanta as well.

Converse > SubiSanchez
05/07/2014 at 18:07

Petit Le Mans is always a great event. I'm a little biased as Road Atlanta is my home track and I've been practically all over the place. The week of racing leading up to the big race on Saturday is always entertaining and the crowd is always a lot fun and large. With the lack of P1, you won't have the Audi/Porsche/Toyota factor making this a can't miss event, but it's always a lot of fun.

As for Sonoma, I haven't been, but was discouraged from going last year by my friends who live in the area. They said it's a lot of work to just sit and watch a Nascar race. There's only one road in and out and it's always warm.

There's my $.02. Do with it what you may!

Soloburrito > SubiSanchez
05/07/2014 at 18:12

WEC/TUSCC combined weekend in Austin.

WEC event is day/night. Looking forward to the tower being lit up pretty colors!

PheeNoIVI > SubiSanchez
05/07/2014 at 18:20

Im probably going to the Indy Car race at Sonoma later this year. I recommend that.

shurkon93 > SubiSanchez
05/07/2014 at 18:22

I know you already went to an Indycar race but have you thought of going to the season ender in Fontana? Its Saturday night of Labor Day weekend

SubiSanchez > shurkon93
05/07/2014 at 18:46

I actually have thought about going to the Fontana race. I've never been to any oval races apart from the local dirt track but I heard Autoclub Speedway usually has some awesome races.

SubiSanchez > Converse
05/07/2014 at 18:53

I've really been wanting to go to Petit Le Mans but never seem to be able to make plans work mostly since I live on the West coast and it's a ways. I'm really bummed I didn't get to go when it was a round of the ILMC/WEC. It's definitely at the top of my want list though.

SubiSanchez > PheeNoIVI
05/07/2014 at 18:57

I definitely want to go check out a race at Sonoma since I live just up the road in Oregon. If not NASCAR or IndyCar then I might just go see the WTCC later this year.

SubiSanchez > Soloburrito
05/07/2014 at 19:02

That definitely sounds like a good event to check out. Might just try to convince my buddy that lives in Dallas to make the trek out with me.

PheeNoIVI > SubiSanchez
05/07/2014 at 19:16

Nice. I live about 30 minutes from Sonoma. Pretty cool place!

Converse > SubiSanchez
05/07/2014 at 20:12

Yeah, the ILMC was a good inclusion. But, nothing was better than 2000 or at the height of the Acura/Porsche P2 cars and when Audi was full-time. What was that? Mid-2000's?

SubiSanchez > Converse
05/08/2014 at 00:15

Yea that was from 06-08 when the acuras and porsches were battling the audis for overall wins. Good times in the ALMS...... *sighs*

Converse > SubiSanchez
05/08/2014 at 13:03

Yup. But they said the same thing about the end of Group C. It's cyclical with the economy. Like everything else. Soon we will have another Golden Era. Hell, it might be when the universal GT regs come out. Massive GT sales could spark a valid interest in fielding factory prototypes as Audi has done. The GT cars are run by privateers and the factory focuses on the technology and P1.

Fenderaddict2 > SubiSanchez
05/13/2014 at 10:32

Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. the entire city gets on board, the racing is good, Grandstand 11 has fantastic sight lines and I'm not sure this race will stay on the calendar much longer. Stay at the Hotel de le Montange. Make sure you take in the sights from the rooftop pool and bar. Lots of fine dining and nightlife to top off the weekend. You'll thank me.