Advice Needed For Drag Racing Newbie

[Ruislip Gooner]

I'm going to the Euro Finals at Santa pod this Sunday and would be grateful for some advice as I've never been there before (or to any drag racingfor that matter) ?

Firstly, the gates open at 8am, but what time would be best to get there to avoid traffic jams etc ?

If I don't use the grandstand, I understand there's a grass bank on the opposite side of the track for general access, is it possible to watch from camping chairs or will most people be standing ?

What ear protection would you recommend, ear plugs or over ear ear protectors (or both) ?

Any other advice/tips would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

[firewalker]

Ruislip Gooner said:

I'm going to the Euro Finals at Santa pod this Sunday and would be grateful for some advice as I've never been there before (or to any drag racingfor that matter) ?

Firstly, the gates open at 8am, but what time would be best to get there to avoid traffic jams etc ?

If I don't use the grandstand, I understand there's a grass bank on the opposite side of the track for general access, is it possible to watch from camping chairs or will most people be standing ?

What ear protection would you recommend, ear plugs or over ear ear protectors (or both) ?

Any other advice/tips would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Anything goes on the bank side, I've seen 3 piece suites on there
First time drag racing - yes hearing protection very much advisory, whatever you find comfortable - or just stick your fingers in your ears.
Only other advice is go for all the days you can not just the last one, each day is different in terms of action and intensity.
The last day eliminations are actually often slower paced than the build up towards them as the battle up the ladder to get into the eliminations goes on.

[Upatdawn]

take/buy ear plugs or defenders
take lots of money, spare bog rolls and as much food as you can carry

the "banking" is opposite the pits, you have to visit the pits and stand real close to a nitro engine....

dont be surprised if its addictive

[Robmarriott]

Take sunglasses, some form of hat and sun cream as well as gallons of water.

It will be hot and there is no shade at all.

[Gastech]

Take good earplugs of muffs, you'll need them. Plenty of food and drink though there is food available at fairly good prices.
Arrive early.
Walk the pits and experience nitro close up.

Take an umbrella.

Enjoy!

[Crafty_]

Running order, liable to change but gives you an idea : http://www.eurodragster.com/santapod/live/2013fiae...

If you are getting there at 8ish you'll have the chance to get a good look around the pits before racing starts. As others have said watch a nitro warmup, good fun. If the crew put gas masks on, stand back because a hazy yellow cloud will soon appear and you don't want to be stood in it.

Chairs fine on the bank, but most people will be standing for pro races. You can stand pitside and watch but viewing is limited due to the fencing.
Just stick your hands over your ears for TF/TM, the rest are not that loud.

The pod always seems to be burning hot or really windy, can remember standing there for an easter meet and couldn't feel my knuckles because of the cold wind. Take a jacket and sun cream.

[Upatdawn]

The best view is from the grandstand but the banking is free, viewing from the pitside is very restricted (more so every year it seems)

take a seat or steps....but dont leave then unattended on the banking

going solo is hard, having to carry stuff around, etc

[Blackpuddin]

Taking earplugs to drag racing is like wearing a blindfold to a beauty contest, what's the point?
The noise is a huge part of the experience.

[firewalker]

Blackpuddin said:

Taking earplugs to drag racing is like wearing a blindfold to a beauty contest, what's the point?
The noise is a huge part of the experience.

+1 but first timers should be prepared.

[Upatdawn]

Ive had some bad hangovers at the Pod, not the best place to have one

[Blackpuddin]

firewalker said:

Blackpuddin said:

Taking earplugs to drag racing is like wearing a blindfold to a beauty contest, what's the point?
The noise is a huge part of the experience.

+1 but first timers should be prepared.

Took my son to the Pod about 4 years back, it was his first visit, he would have been about 14 then, he was blown away by it all but especially by the top fuel cars and bikes. The brutality of it and the vibration that goes right through your body is something you don't get anywhere else, not in my experience anyway. We had no earplugs. Nobody was hurt.

[Turn7]

I would aim to get there for 7.30 and still expect to que to get in. This is THE meetng of the year, and the weather is looking good.

Be prepared for a long day, and stay all day. When the racing is finished, have a wander down the pits whilst all the plebs fight there way out.

The drivers and riders will normally have more time and be more relaxed at the end of the day, so pics and info are easier to get..

Be prepared for times of nowt happening on the strip if someone oils the track too.

Its a fabulous sport, but it does help if you have someone who knows whats happening and can explain the details as the day unfolds.


Enjoy it!

[MotorPsycho]

Nitro is the best hangover cure known to man

That yellow cloud? You do want to be near it

[RWJ]

Sunday's eliminations start with Pro Mod, scheduled for 9.45, as it's a 16-car field. Shame to miss that. If you can be there before 9, you should be ok.

If you are on the banking at half-track or nearer the top end, you can stick fingers in ears as loud cars come past. If you are near the start or in the grandstand, ear protection is a good idea since more noise for longer -- gets a bit boring holding your ears much of the time. Some people seem remarkably cavalier about chancing hearing damage -- well, fair enough, it's their ears. I've always tried to be careful but have still suffered tinnitus the past dozen years or so. Damage can mount up over time and once it's done, it's done. Some classes are certainly louder than others, but all are noisy enough compared to most other vehicles you will ever hear.

Wander around. Watch from wherever you want. Apart from the pitside grandstand, which charges an extra fee (if not already sold out), it's free access everywhere, pits included. Hope you enjoy the day.

[Upatdawn]

Turn7 said:

I would aim to get there for 7.30 and still expect to que to get in. This is THE meetng of the year, and the weather is looking good.

Be prepared for a long day, and stay all day. When the racing is finished, have a wander down the pits whilst all the plebs fight there way out.

Will it a huge queue to get int?.....by 9am certainly, i would say at 07.30am though

Getting out is another matter of course

[Crafty_]

I've usually arrived at 9-9:30 and can't ever remember having a massive queue to get in, certainly under 10 minutes from Airfield road to parked up..

OP: try to listen to the commentary too, as they usually explain whats going on for newbies - ET classes / christmas tree etc. You might want to take headphones for your phone (assuming it has FM radio) or a small radio as they broadcast on FM at the track.

[firewalker]

Crafty_ said:

I've usually arrived at 9-9:30 and can't ever remember having a massive queue to get in, certainly under 10 minutes from Airfield road to parked up..

OP: try to listen to the commentary too, as they usually explain whats going on for newbies - ET classes / christmas tree etc. You might want to take headphones for your phone (assuming it has FM radio) or a small radio as they broadcast on FM at the track.

They used to sell those earpiece things for a fiver in the pod shop, can be worth having.

I like the yellow clouds You're alright after a few minutes

[Turn7]

Upatdawn said:

Will it a huge queue to get int?.....by 9am certainly, i would say at 07.30am though

Getting out is another matter of course

I never said huge, just would expect to see cars outside the turn off area by the main gate...

[Crafty_]

firewalker said:

I like the yellow clouds You're alright after a few minutes

I do find warmups funny though, you know, those people who go up close to the car, taking pictures, then it gets started and they grin a bit, then carry on taking pictures and stuff, then it gets blipped and they pretty much jump about 10 feet in the air

Either that or they stand there when the cloud starts and aren't sure what is going on, stay in it too long and end up stumbling away, eyes streaming, hacking their guts up!

[37chevy]

Crafty_ said:

I do find warmups funny though, you know, those people who go up close to the car, taking pictures, then it gets started and they grin a bit, then carry on taking pictures and stuff, then it gets blipped and they pretty much jump about 10 feet in the air

Either that or they stand there when the cloud starts and aren't sure what is going on, stay in it too long and end up stumbling away, eyes streaming, hacking their guts up!

I always find playing spot the newbie fun in the pits at the big meetings....it's great seeing them comment on how loud the sportsman cars are when walking round the pits, then standing next to a pro car or bike and jumping a mile when the throttle is blipped....super twin bikes or tmfc/tmd are usually the best! Oh and then they get too close to the nitro cloud.....

To the original poster, hope you have fun! Drag racing is a marmite sport, you either love it or hate it, personally I think it's the best form of racing in the world, massive variety of cars, speed, noise, the smell, and the feeling of nitro cars...what more can you want! Oh and the pod put on a great show with all the other attractions too...of any motorsport event its gto to be the best bang for ya bucks anywhere in the uk....have fun!