I left my house at 9:30 and got to the track at 1 p.m. It takes 45 minutes to drive to the track. Sat in a stop and start line of traffic for TWO AND A HALF HOURS after I hit the Newton exit. Mad props to the Iowa Speedway for such an effective traffic plan. Really. What you want to do is charge fans $50 a seat, talk up how super neat the racing facility is, then make them sit and wait for two and a half hours to get in.
Also, thanks for making me look like a total asshole for highly recommending everyone I know go to the race. I got to my seat on lap 89, but only after I walked by a few thousand totally pissed fans. The biggest professional sporting event ever held in Iowa was apparently too big for the Iowa Speedway.
I'll be sending a pissy letter to the speedway management and I expect the "Sorry, we'll do better next time" response. How about refunding a third of the $250 I spent on tickets? Didn't think so.
Updated 6/25/07. Here's the response to my bitching email from the track:
Unfortunately, a limited number of racing fans experienced traffic problems at our IndyCar Series race this weekend. Obviously, that’s not the kind of experience we want people to have when they visit Iowa Speedway.
Right now, we are gathering facts to see what the problem is – and what kind of solution is required. We intend to have any traffic issues resolved by our next race, the Rolex Daytona Prototypes and Rolex Grand American Sports Car GT Series events, July 13-14.
I appreciate the apology. Oh, wait ... I also feel better knowing I was part of a "limited number."
No 24 oz Tecate for me - but my recliner in the tony town of Waukee was pretty comfy and I DVRRD the ABC Coverage. You are welcome to come over and catch the first 89 laps...just don;t wear any a$$le$$ chaps....
Posted by: kjw | June 24, 2007 at 05:48 PM
Totally sucks - I really feel your pain. I will add your story to my budding list of raceday frustrations. My list starts with a completely bogus ticket I got from the City of Long Beach when I dared to attend their Grand Prix, and made a minor traffic error that pretty much every non-resident was making. The price tag on that ticket? $390. Glad to see that the city was able to rake in lots cash at the expense of tourists. Clearly I'm still bitter.
Don't feel like an asshole - if any of us lived within easy driving distance of a brand new track that was hosting an IRL event, we all would have raved about it to our friends, as well - especially when there has been nothing but great press about the track. Heck, I was ready to start doing the hard sell for the "race around Dodger Stadium" when it looked like that might happen...
Posted by: erika | June 24, 2007 at 08:18 PM
Pressdog,
Sorry to hear that you were stuck in traffic and couldn't get into the track until nearly 1/3 through the race. The worst part about the traffic debacle is many fans who went and were stuck on the road with you will probably not come back next year. Not a good way to make a first impression.
Posted by: mmack | June 25, 2007 at 08:36 AM
Uh, isn't any number "limited"? You know, by definition it's a number, being finite and all.
But I'm sure they'll have it all good for the 36K fans who show up for the Rolex race in July. Or do we suspect that number may be a bit more "limited"?
Posted by: My Name Is IRL | June 25, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Haha, nice one Jeff. You thought they would have thrown P Dog a bone with at least some discounted Grand Sham tix.
Posted by: Johnny | June 25, 2007 at 03:35 PM
I don't see an actual apology in that response. And I love how they work in a plug for their next event. Unbelievable.
Posted by: erika | June 25, 2007 at 04:43 PM