rssYOUR DAYTONA 500 SURVIVAL KIT

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT ATTENDING THE DAYTONA 500

The information you should know before attending the Daytona 500 fall into two broad categories. You must know the RULES and you would be well advised to follow a few simple SUGGESTIONS.

THE RULES:

The Daytona International Speedway is responsible for staging one of the largest sporting events in the world. Nearly 200,000 fans arrive every year to witness this icon of sporting competitions and rules are instituted to insure the safety of all concerned and to promote a positive and enjoyable experience for you the spectator. Here’s what you must know:

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

Firearms, fireworks or explosives of any type, other weapons
Hard-sided coolers, thermos or insulated cups of any size
Coolers larger than 14” in width, height or depth (one cooler per person)
Coolers with telescoping handles
Umbrellas
Strollers
Glass of any type
Scooters
Skateboards
Pets (Exceptions made for service animals)
Bags larger than a typical back-pack (described as the type used by most students for carrying books to school) (one bag per person)

ITEMS PERMITTED:

Soft sided coolers no larger than 14” in width, height or depth (may have a hard plastic removable shell) (New rule for 2011)
Your own food and beverages, including alcohol
Cameras, binoculars, head phones, scanners (must be on strap or hand held and not carried in a bag, other than your one permitted back pack)
Comfort and hygiene products such as napkins, sun screen, sanitary wipes, hand sanitizer
Seat cushions
Cell phones

NOTE: All bags and coolers are subject to search prior to entry to the Daytona International Speedway. Clear (see-through) back packs are highly desirable, but not required, as they enable track officials to inspect your bags without the necessity for having you open them to reveal the contents.

PIT PASS RULES:

The following rules apply to persons with Pit Passes wishing to gain admission to the pits.

1. Must wear long pants (no shorts permitted)
2. Must wear shirt with long or short sleeves (No tank tops, halter tops, bikini tops)
3. Must wear enclosed shoes (no open toed shoes, sandals, flip-flops or bare feet)

SUGGESTIONS:

The suggestions that follow are intended to insure that your experience as a spectator at the Daytona 500 is the best that it can be.

PARKING: You can either park close to the track or in a distant location and be shuttled to the track. All parking is free, except for special parking lots where special parking passes are sold in advance of race day. Parking lots close to the track fill up quickly, so if you intend to park close, plan to arrive early. Just remember the closer you park the longer it will take for you to leave due to the heavy traffic congestion, which will develop immediately after the conclusion of the race. Fans who park in distant lots and are shuttled to and from the track may actually be able to “escape” faster than those who park right outside the track. (See the Parking Page for more information on parking and for suggestions on which route you should take to get to the track).

TICKETS: Tickets for the Daytona 500 may be purchased in advance directly from the Daytona International Speedway ticket office or from secondary sources, such as online ticket vendors, or curbside ticket scalpers. The best way to avoid being defrauded in a ticket scam is to purchase your tickets from the speedway itself. However, the best tickets are usually already reserved and therefore unavailable through the speedway as a direct source. You have virtually no recourse should you buy fake or stolen tickets from a curbside scalper, so this should be your last resort for purchasing tickets. However, many fans secure their tickets this way each year without incident. Often times the best tickets are found through a reputable ticket brokers or ticket reseller. This website is an affiliate for Tickets Now, which is one of the leading ticket resellers doing business on the internet today. However, there are other reputable online ticket sellers that may have just what you’re looking for. Generally to secure tickets to the best seats available, look for seats that are high up in the grandstands and preferably on the front straightaway where you can see the action in the pits.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS: While Daytona Beach, Florida may bring to mind thoughts of hot tropical weather, you should take note that 71 degrees is the average high and 49 degrees is the average low for the month of February, when this race is run. Therefore, when you pack your racing attire, you should pack for hot and cold temperatures. A layering strategy, which allows you to add and subtract clothing throughout the race may serve you well. You should also have sun screen, sun glasses and a hat with a bill or brim to shield you from the sun. In 2011, the race will start at 1:00 P.M. , but in order to witness the start, you will be on route to your seat, in one manner or another, for at least a couple of hours prior to the start time. You should also wear comfortable walking shoes. Even if you happen to secure a parking spot in close proximity to the track, you will undoubtedly be walking substantial distances between your vehicle, your seats, the restroom, gift shop, and concession stands. Accordingly, tennis shoes are highly recommended. Finally, if there is even the slightest hint of rain in the forecast, pack an inexpensive pocket poncho to shield you from an unwelcome downpour. These throw-away ponchos can be purchased at most corner drug stores for less than $10.00 each.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: Emergency Medical Technicians are trained to look on the cell phones of incapacitated individuals for information about who to call in case of an emergency. They look in the contacts list for an entry for ICE (In Case of Emergency) and they will contact the person or persons listed. Everyone with a cell phone should take a moment to enter this information in their contacts list.