Ferrari Mailing List: Indy Car Race in Baltimore This Weekend !!

[LS (lashdeep]

I have to say that it was an impressive event. They got it right the first time out.

My recap...

Carlos (in his Audi R8) met up nearby for a caravan with GT1Nick and I in the GT350. We started our relatively effortless drive up from DC to the track grounds and car club corral.

The corral was a bit lighter Sunday than on Saturday but still very convenient. As we were unloading some vendor supplies near the BMW hospitality tent, we were absolutely mobbed.

Nick and I could barely exit our car as fans came up to ask questions and take pictures. It was our version of the Peel Street festivals in Montreal. It was a great show atmosphere where we met lots of other owners that we hadn't seen in a few months.

After 15-20 minutes of trying to exit our car and socializing with admirers in the corral, we make our way into the hospitality tents. Since we knew so many people at each of the car club tents, we were able to enter and hang out in each.

The tents were a great idea...

Firstly, we were able to park right outside our respective club area in a car show atmosphere.

Secondly, it was a comfortable place to hang out. There were big screens to catch some of the action when you didn't feel like dealing with the crowds. The catering was really quite good...and this was a pleasant surprise!

The alcohol variety was excellent, even for an enthusiast!

Thirdly, there was lots of events taking place within the tents. Corporate activities, displays, etc. The BMW tent had a meet and greet with their GT team. Bobby Rahal was there for opening remarks...

The Lambo club tent had one of the two Aventadors at the race. WTF? This was impressive! I saw these two cars in Monterey two weeks ago and it made sense there. For them to show up at the BGP was a shock and a serious achievement.

The tents were next to the ALMS paddock. We had an excellent look into each team's operation and car setup. To top it off, the cars lined up for the grid *through* the corrals!!! So, in the middle of the car show, the race cars were prepping to hit the track.

This was a serious event... All of the classes were staged and fans had access to each of the cars and drivers.

To be standing next to the Risi 458, the C6-Rs, etc. was amazing. This is the class of racing that all can relate to. Even better was how different and unique the cars all sounded at idle and on track. ALMS is great racing!!

Sunday brought Indy cars to the attention of all the fans. The trackside seating with our credentials was excellent. We were, in the shade with plenty of food and drink thanks again to the catering. We were about 30 ft from the track and didn't miss much due to a big screen TV directly in front of us, on the other side of the track.

Every time I watch an Indy race, I'm reminded how open wheel racing should be. The on track action is great and the cars looked and sounded fantastic.

While my schedule didn't allow for any fun at night after the track closed, it seems that a party atmosphere was rampant. Drivers being mobbed at restaurants, bars, etc. The Lambo-Ferrari dinner Saturday night in Little Italy was excellent I'm sure.

We are so lucky to have an event of this caliber at home now. For years, we have felt that DC-Balt has never had the opportunity to properly mature as a true center of car culture. We had all the right demographics, without the proper catalyst for that evolution.

Well, we have it now.

And, it looks like our opinion is being backed up by good press as well:

IndyCar Series - Baltimore Grand Prix a winner for INDYCAR - ESPN

While I knew this would be fun to attend, I wasn't expecting it to be outstanding.

Well done Baltimore. And thanks to Jason S and the BGP staff for the hard work in getting the clubs involved.

Now, with the support of all the local car enthusiasts, we're on our way to being on the "map".

LS

 

"But the people who said that the 289 (Cobra) wasn't a good handling car didn't know what they were talking about. Compared to what?. That FIA Cobra handled like a dream -- and was fast too." -- Dan Gurney