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BradnDad2014
Keen to get a look around the city before heading out to the speedway, we trotted off into a bright crisp morning about 8.30am. As we are staying in the heart of the city, we are in walking distance of most its attractions. Having found a canal area on Trip advisor that looked picturesque, we headed North. Stumbling over the canal, complete with gondolas about 30 minutes later, it was indeed a lovely part of town.
Indianapolis is very much like St Louis, spotlessly clean and very modern.While grabbing breakfast at the Indiana Historical Society on the canal, we noticed how quiet the area was. This is a Saturday morning in the heart of the city…. So quiet in fact, there was not a taxi to be seen anywhere. Retracing our footsteps back towards our hotel, we found a taxi and headed out to the track.
It was now close to lunch time and the place seemed to be packed. Traffic was banked up and police had blocked off roads to control pedestrian movements.Making our way to the grand stands, it became apparent how big this place really is. Even with all the congestion outside, most of the grand stands were empty.
We were treated to a fantastic display of Indy cars from years gone by, along with a staggering collection of concourse quality vintage vehicles from around the country. I have never seen so many rare and beautifully preserved / restored vehicles in my life. There were literally hundreds of them ! Chatting to one of the old boys polishing a completely original 65 Mustang GT350, as you do… We discovered he has owned an original 289 Shelby Cobra from new! This may not mean much to some, but to others that know how rare, an original, aluminium bodied Shelby Cobra is, let alone a one owner from new… WOW !... I would suggest it may be the only one in the world…
Finished drooling, we headed for our planned seats for the racing. Only to be met at the gates with a request for tickets. Sure, we had tickets, but ours were to the penthouse boxes over the start finish line… Not good enough to get us in here, even though they were worth twice the face value… Not in the mood to argue the point, we left and assumed our position above pit lane..
There was a monumental crash at the first standing start of the race, destroying 3 cars. Thankfully all drivers were unharmed, but the cars were a little worse for wear… You can see our video in the photo section. The restart was a rolling start, I don't think they wanted to risk losing any more cars..
The race itself was an incredibly noisy blurr of flashing colours and whining engines… Loved it !!
One funny situation arose when I left Brad in the grand stand and went in search of a beer and corn dog.. Hey, before you judge, the choice was a "corn dog" or a “brickyard burger”… The corn dog looked the healthier option… And you can’t have a nice C******nay when you’re watching Indy cars!!
Anywho, the 20 something year old serving me put my beer, a coke and the food on the counter and then asked for my ID… What for I asked ? The beer, I can’t sell you alcohol unless you can prove your age… Maaate, I’m old enough to be your Father… Sorry Sir, no beer… Winding up to stuff the corn dog in his rectum, the ridiculous was resolved when the other 20 something year old standing next to me offered to take my money, show his ID and give me the beer… This all took place in front of the other guy who was perfectly happy with the solution… Strange laws in the US… It’s easier to get a hand gun than a beer…
All things considered we had a great day !
Indianapolis is very much like St Louis, spotlessly clean and very modern.While grabbing breakfast at the Indiana Historical Society on the canal, we noticed how quiet the area was. This is a Saturday morning in the heart of the city…. So quiet in fact, there was not a taxi to be seen anywhere. Retracing our footsteps back towards our hotel, we found a taxi and headed out to the track.
It was now close to lunch time and the place seemed to be packed. Traffic was banked up and police had blocked off roads to control pedestrian movements.Making our way to the grand stands, it became apparent how big this place really is. Even with all the congestion outside, most of the grand stands were empty.
We were treated to a fantastic display of Indy cars from years gone by, along with a staggering collection of concourse quality vintage vehicles from around the country. I have never seen so many rare and beautifully preserved / restored vehicles in my life. There were literally hundreds of them ! Chatting to one of the old boys polishing a completely original 65 Mustang GT350, as you do… We discovered he has owned an original 289 Shelby Cobra from new! This may not mean much to some, but to others that know how rare, an original, aluminium bodied Shelby Cobra is, let alone a one owner from new… WOW !... I would suggest it may be the only one in the world…
Finished drooling, we headed for our planned seats for the racing. Only to be met at the gates with a request for tickets. Sure, we had tickets, but ours were to the penthouse boxes over the start finish line… Not good enough to get us in here, even though they were worth twice the face value… Not in the mood to argue the point, we left and assumed our position above pit lane..
There was a monumental crash at the first standing start of the race, destroying 3 cars. Thankfully all drivers were unharmed, but the cars were a little worse for wear… You can see our video in the photo section. The restart was a rolling start, I don't think they wanted to risk losing any more cars..
The race itself was an incredibly noisy blurr of flashing colours and whining engines… Loved it !!
One funny situation arose when I left Brad in the grand stand and went in search of a beer and corn dog.. Hey, before you judge, the choice was a "corn dog" or a “brickyard burger”… The corn dog looked the healthier option… And you can’t have a nice C******nay when you’re watching Indy cars!!
Anywho, the 20 something year old serving me put my beer, a coke and the food on the counter and then asked for my ID… What for I asked ? The beer, I can’t sell you alcohol unless you can prove your age… Maaate, I’m old enough to be your Father… Sorry Sir, no beer… Winding up to stuff the corn dog in his rectum, the ridiculous was resolved when the other 20 something year old standing next to me offered to take my money, show his ID and give me the beer… This all took place in front of the other guy who was perfectly happy with the solution… Strange laws in the US… It’s easier to get a hand gun than a beer…
All things considered we had a great day !
- comments
susan_doughetry Alan Alan Alan oh wait thats not Alan.. Steve Steve Steve
brad ehhh steve
Joanne Looks very lovely and peaceful.
Jo Looks like more people on the pit lanes than in the grandstands!
Joanne No comment - speechless :)
Jo AWESOME!!!! Love the neck exercises x
Jo I like the pimped up golf cart and would also like to blow those tennis balls out of those pipes. The sound would be awesome. What the hell was the 95 red City of Burbank car???? I know of Burbank studios so suspect it may have been from some movie. Looked spacey anyways. Had my fill of petrol views now :). Thanks guys, keep on having fun.