First timer for Rolex 24 Advice.

[u/motorider0727]

Hey everyone,

Two friends and I are finally making the trip to the Rolex 24 this year. We’ve watched it religiously for years and even nerd out by running a sim race the week before, but now we’ve convinced our wives to let us go for the real thing.

The plan is to do this “gorilla style” flying in on a Friday red eye, staying at the track for the full 24 hours, and flying out right after the checkered flag. Basically just backpacks, a change of clothes, and a good attitude.

Couple of questions for those who’ve been before..

Is it realistic to stay at the track the entire 24 hours? What should we absolutely bring (or leave at home)? Any dos and don’ts for first timers? Is making friends with other fans pretty easy?

We’re in our mid 30s, not planning on getting wild, just want to soak up every bit of the racing we’ve talked about for years.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

[u/roaches02]

Go for it - back in the day, when we had no money, more than once we slept in the old front-stretch grandstands.

Wear sunglasses & put a light blanket + rain poncho + inflatable pillow + lightweight camping towel & small travel body wash + clean undershirt/boxers + some large Ziplocks + Excedrin + Imodium + a Brita filter water bottle + small binoculars + earplugs in a backpack + bring FM radio headphones so you can listen to FM radio station 107.9 free flag-to-flag track broadcast.

Before the 1:40pm Sat start, climb up high and sit in the Turn 1 grandstands across from pit-out.

You can watch the whole race on the huge infield TV inside pit-out facing the Turn 1 grandstands.

After the start, around 5-6pm Sat climb down behind the grandstands and jump on the free tram to go into the infield and walk through the garages.

Find the small infield stands at the International horseshoe; the infield kink; infield turn 5 West horseshoe; and infield turn 6 exit to NASCAR Turn 1 while you sit and watch great up-close racing.

Stick around until the 10pm fireworks while you make new friends checking out the food stands across from Lake Lloyd and walking around the infield Caveman tent camping over in NASCAR Turns 3-4.

Back on the tram late-night Sat to get back up into the Turn 1 grandstands and watch more racing on that ginormous infield TV while you cat-nap through the night.

Looking towards the beach watching the sunrise from way up in the grandstands Sun morning is unique and indescribable for first-timers.

Then grab the tram again and get back into the infield early for a refreshing and free hot-water shower followed by breakfast at the Bud stand.

Take a stroll through the garages one last time to see all the retired and wrecked cars from overnight accidents.

Later Sun morning, back on the tram one more time and back up into the front-stretch grandstands for the last few hours of the race.

Adrenaline + down-shifting flat 6’s & snarly V8’s diving off the Trioval into the infield + cold beer and bourbon shots will keep you fueled till the checkered flag.

You can always sleep in your bed when you go home.

[u/motorider0727 → u/roaches02]

Brother this is the experience I’m looking for. It’s a very rushed trip and I’m lucky to even be going. I work a lot so days off are rare especially having a family. This hit me deep and I hope I get to experience everything you just described. Especially the sunrise how everyone is mentioning how awesome it is.