My CT Race Day View Spot Hunt
Right, so yesterday was the big CT race day event near downtown. I figured, hey, everyone talks about the “best spots,” but how do you really find ’em without being there? I’m all about actually doing the legwork, not just reading about it. Total rookie move last year meant I ended up squashed behind a billboard.
First thing I did was scope the track layout online. They had this official map. Honestly? Pretty useless. Too many vague lines. Printed it out anyway – old school – and grabbed my comfy walking shoes and a stupid big hat. Sun was blazing already by 9 AM. Ugh.
Hit the ground running (well, walking) around the track perimeter early. Security guys were just setting up. Saw a few other folks doing the same thing, serious binoculars and everything. My plan was simple: walk the whole accessible path outside the fence, checking sightlines. Needed places where you could actually see the cars properly, not just hear ’em scream past.
Found the first contender near Turn 3. Big parking garage! Parked myself on the top deck. Okay, pros? Got height! Could see them powering out of Turn 2 and swooping into 3. Sweet! Cons? Sun was directly in my face at that time. Felt like an ant under a magnifying glass after 10 minutes. Plus, you were looking down on them – kinda weird angle. Scratch that.
Moved on. Headed towards the back straight. Found this small grassy hill next to the fence. Nothing special marked, just a natural slope. Boom. Total goldmine. Higher than the fence line, clear view straight down the track. Could see ’em come from way down the back stretch, hammering towards me at insane speed, then disappear towards the chicane. Perfect spot to appreciate speed. And trees nearby gave patches of shade!
Got excited and told another couple wandering nearby. “Try this spot!” They did and gave thumbs up. Felt good.
Kept exploring though. Walked all the way around to the final corner complex. Found some bleachers the track sets up. Crowded already. View was decent, seeing the action through the last turns before the finish. But man, hot metal seats and zero breeze. Felt like a pancake on a griddle. Not my style for a whole day.
By lunchtime, I circled back to that little grassy hill near the back straight. Grabbed my folding chair (essential!), backpack with water (even more essential!) and settled in. Ate my sandwich, watched practice sessions. Saw the full spread: fast laps, spins near the chicane, even a yellow flag drill. Sound was awesome! Raw engine noise vibrating right through you. Could almost taste the gasoline.
The race itself? Glued to it. Saw battles down the back straight, moves into the braking zone. Saw the eventual winner make a killer pass right in front of where I sat. Best part? Plenty of space around me. No jostling. Could get up and stretch anytime. Easy escape route back towards the main gates too when it ended.
Final verdict? That unassuming grassy hill? Hands down the winner for me. Solid view, manageable crowd (unlike the main bleachers), natural shade opportunities, amazing sound without being deafened, and easy in-and-out. Lessons learned? Get there stupid early to walk the track yourself before the crowds hit. Official spots aren’t always the best. Comfy shoes? Non-negotiable. Water? Bring twice what you think you need. And trust your gut – if a spot feels right, plant your flag. Forget the maps, go see for yourself!
