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Indy A tradition like no other, The Indianapolis 500 is certain to keep you on the edge of your seat. Who will earn the right to kiss the yard of bricks and drink the milk in the winner's circle this year? Experience the Indy 500 on the famous grounds of The Brickyard with a package from Select Motor Racing - Travel !
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Package
Saturday, May 25:
Upon your arrival into Indianapolis International Airport (IND) make your way to the Hampton Inn downtown, where a two-night stay, including continental breakfast, has been reserved for you. At 5:00 p.m. enjoy a race preview party hosted by Derek Daly.
Sunday, May 26:
A police escort guarantees a quick trip to the Speedway, home of the legendary Indy 500. Head to your grandstand seat for all the pre-race entertainment.
Monday, May 27:
Make your way to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) for your return flight home or continue your vacation throughout beautiful Indianapolis
Hotel
The Hampton Inn downtown is located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis in the historic Cheaspeak Building.
Directly across from the Circle Centre Mall and within walking distance to 30 downtown restaurants, this hotel is very convenently located.
Each room is equipped with a coffee maker, iron and ironing board, cable TV, and clock/radios. Amenities also included are complimentary continental breakfast, wireless internet, free USA Today and local phone calls with no long distance credit card access fees.
Price Per Person: $1,095.00 Single Use Supplement: $450.00
Extra night prices are valid for certain nights only.
Special rates available for triple or quad rooms. Extra Night Per Room: $165.00
Hotel Room Types Double Bed max 2 person(s) Single room (1 bed) max 1 person(s)
Triple room max 3 person(s) Twin beds max 2 person(s)
Price is per person, based on two persons sharing a room. Single supplement is an additional cost per room (for the entire tour) if traveling alone. Extra nights subject to hotel availability.
Select VIP Package Stuarts 2011 Blog
When I arrived at the Indianapolis airport late Thursday afternoon, I was met and escorted by an ICVA rep to a van for the ride to the Omni Severin Hotel. The driver was a big race fan and told me he had twice done the Indy Experience where a pro driver takes you around the track in a two-seat Indy Car. The van driver said they got up to about 170 mph! (Both David and I have done that at California Speedway but only to 140 mph or so.)
I had a big room on the 9th floor of the hotel overlooking the street. It had the usual amenities including a big flat screen TV. There was a container of varicolored popcorn on arrival and later a big bag of trail mix was provided, along with two pieces of chocolate on the pillow that had an IndyCar logo on the wrapper. A free baseball cap commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Indy 500 was also provided in the room.
On Friday afternoon the hotel delivered two bottles of Andretti Vineyards wine, one red, one white, accompanied by a red brick. I was told by the hotel staff I could keep the brick! (I didn't.) Late Saturday afternoon the hotel brought by two small glasses of Grand Marnier. When I got back to my room Sunday after the 90F temps at the track there were two rolled-up, ice-cold face towels on the dresser.
That's marketing!
Friday morning all of us were driven just a few blocks to Patachou, a local restaurant chain. Their specialty is omelets but I had granola on a bed of plain yogurt. (I had breakfast there on my own on Saturday.)
After breakfast, we were driven to the White River State Park for the Segway Experience. It took all of five minutes to become accustomed to the Segway. My orientation was provided by the CEO of Indiana Segway himself! Top speed is 12.5 mph for the Segway folks' machines, less for us, OK as wide open on ours was plenty thrilling. We toured the Park stopping now and again to hear from a Segway rep(?) about local museums and points of interest. They are gentrifying Indianapolis big time. The Super Bowl will be there next year. The stadium is close to the hotel.
Friday night we went to a reception at the Conrad Hotel owner's posh penthouse suite. The owner had two masseuses on hand to ease our cares. We then ate downstairs at the Capital Grill, one in a classy nationwide chain. Our two tables shared a private dining room with a third table hosted by Roger Penske, whose team has won the the Indy 500 15 times. I was the only one in our party of 20+ that recognized him. Surprise! Penske's table looked to be a family affair with possibly two senior execs in his race organization.
I had a Caesar's salad, ahi tuna with three sauces on the side, with rice. Various vegetables were passed around the table: sauteed mushrooms, creamed potatoes, greens. Creme brulee' with seasonal berries on top followed.
Saturday night a smaller group of us went with two ICVA reps to the R Bistro on Mass Ave. We had a choice of five items in each of the three categories. I had "local leaves" with raspberry vinaigrette, pork loin with spaetzle and collard greens in a whiskey sauce, and lemon posset accompanied by a 4+inch square sheet of pastry with unknown ingredients on top. The chef/owner joined us later to chat. Her photo appears in ICVA handouts! All the R Bistro staff's names were printed in the menu.
I went to the nearby O'Reilly's Irish Bar for dinner Sunday night. To cool off I ordered a glass of tonic water with a lime and they gave me a glass the size of a giant Slurpee. I had about finished half of it when they brought a second one, this one with two limes. Very refreshing! O'Reilly's had a sign that read the pub was non-smoking before 1 pm!
Monday I had breakfast at a Panera (national franchise chain) as most downtown cafes other than in hotels were closed for the Memorial Day holiday.
There were two other older chaps in our group, 60ish, one, a freelance photojournalist for Golf World and the other, the editor and publisher of Golf and Travel. They and a few others in the group had media passes and visited the paddock before the race.
The Omni Severin's general manager hung out with us and is named Kevin! And the two police-escorted buses that took us to the track were operated by Turner of Terre Haute.
You can't buy beer in Indianapolis on Sundays!
Two lads at the race carried a well-made sign that read: KY Lubricant - Official Sponsor of Bruno Junqueira. This refers to Bruno's ride being sold out from under him after he qualified by his team owner, AJ Foyt.
A T-shirt at the track read: Go Ugly Early.
Best regards,
Stuart
Race Day (Tickets start at $38)
• 5 a.m. Garage opens to participants
• 6 a.m. Military bomb to signify opening of track to public
• 7 a.m. Team equipment/supplies enter pits
• 8 a.m. Spectacle of Bands
• 10 a.m. IMS pace car rides
• 10:30 a.m. Cars begin entering pit lane
• 10:55 a.m. Cars in place in pit lane
• 11:15 a.m. Grid cars on front straightaway
• "On the Banks of the Wabash" - Purdue University Band
• 11:30 a.m. Clear pit lane (cold pit passes must leave)
• 11:40 a.m. Cars in place on grid
• 11:50 a.m. Engine warm up begins
• 12:00 p.m. Engine warm up concludes
• Cars will not receive fuel top off on the grid
• ABC broadcast begins
• 12:14 p.m. Drivers report to North Green Room (Pagoda)
• 12:25 p.m. Drivers in 11 rows for Driver Introductions
• 12:30 p.m. Race Mode required on annual/indy only credentials for pit access
• 12:33 p.m. Driver Introductions (live)
• 12:39 p.m. Drivers Picture - Yard of Bricks
• 12:47 p.m. "America the Beautiful"
• 12:52 p.m. "God Bless America"
• 12:54 p.m. "National Anthem" - Concludes with flyover
• 12:56 p.m. "Drivers to Your Cars"
• 12:57 p.m. Invocation
• 1:01 p.m. Rifle Volley
• 1:02 p.m. Taps
• 1:03 p.m. "Back Home Again in Indiana"
• Balloon spectacle
• 1:05 p.m. "Ladies and Gentleman Start Your Engines" - Mari Hulman George
• 1:06 p.m. Parade Lap
• 1:10 p.m. Pace Laps
• 1:12 p.m. Green Flag - 2010 Indianapolis 500® Mile Race
We would prefer to talk with you, we are not just an 'Online' Website Company.
However we understand if you just wish to book or enquire online for ease, use the form below which will process your enquiry or comment directly.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Kevin May
Select Motor Racing.
