Last weekend, in Carroll family tradition, we drove ten hours to join Peter Hughes at Watkins Glen in an IMSA race. We camped inland, survived a flood, poked around the paddock, saw some friends and hung out among the racing cars. It was about as much fun as I’ve had all year. I didn’t have to flash a special access journalist card for any of them. You can have about as much fun as I do.
I know people have fond memories of IMSA in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and maybe ’90s. But I’m sure sports car racing in America is better than ever. This is – at the moment – its golden age. Did you see Cadillac does it bump start thing? Please, I’m begging you. Don’t miss this one. Regardless of your age, you will die much sooner than you think. This era of IMSA will probably die out sooner rather than later. It’s called “lightning in a bottle” for a reason. If possible, take your ass to an IMSA race.
Some have already done so. Daytona had a record number of Rolexes again this year, and the TV audience increased. Laguna Seca reported its largest year-over-year increase in ticket sales to date. Long Beach sold out. Watkins Glen was packed with campers and spectators all weekend. The grid was the largest since 1984, with 57 cars, many of which ran in one of the best races ever at the 24 Hours of LeMans.
A weekend pass will cost around a hundred dollars, and less if you just want to catch the current tournament. Many courses allow camping, which makes the weekend cheaper and logistically much easier. Camping also gives you easier access to the runway when the crowds are gone in the living room, and it’s likely to be more fun for your friends who are less into it all when the cars are racing around the track. All in all, the weekend costs about what it costs to park near an F1 track on a race weekend.
There are six races left in the competition this year’s schedule. Buy a ticket, fill a cooler, dig out the tent and watch the best racing you’ve ever seen.
