First Timer...any tips???

[Tigercat24]

This year will be my first trip to Reno...my fiance (wife by the time the races come around) will be with me for our first NCAR. What are some things thatwe should be ready for? (this includes actual vital information and also cool things we should know "just because" :-P )

[Air Boss]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

First (and, dare I say maybe more importantly (Gasp!)) congrats on the marriage! Best wishes to the bride and congrats to you!

I"ll take a crack at it and sure others will add to it. Should be ready to:
HAVE A GREAT TIME!; purchase reserved seats/pit passes for the entire event; withstand high temps, no shade (sunscreen if you believe in that stuff), high winds, rain, snow, etc (think US Postal Service motto); have bino's and camera gear always at the ready; have a scanner to listen in on radio traffic (PLEASE, no transceivers, just scanner); stay in downtown hotel/casino or rent an RV and stay in the lots close to the field (recommend RV if you can...much more intense experience than leaving the field every day..do this soon as rooms/RV's get gobbled up quickly) meet some incredible pilots, crews, fans (Orangies, you out there?); support RARA by leaving behind a few bucks in dogs, beer, memorabilia, hats, shirts, etc); comfortable shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking; oh, did I mention "HAVE A GREAT TIME!"

Welcome aboard Tigercat! Here's to crossing paths in September!

[airtj]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

Be prepared to have your bags searched before entering the air races, they do not allow drinks of any kind to be brought in. Sunscreen is a must! The sunscreen that has worked the best for me at the air races is Blue Lizard. Check around your local pharmacies, we have to get it at a hospital pharmacy. A good set of sunglasses and a hat is also a must. If sitting on the bleachers you might want to buy a sit cushion. Be prepared for different kinds of weather, it has rained and snowed on us at the air races.

[Big_Jim]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

If you haven't purchased your admission tickets yet and really want to do it right, join the National Air-raace Group (NAG) and buy one of the week-long 'line-passes'. Only way to go. Gives you General Admission and pit access for the entire week at a price that is much cheaper than 'parting it out' each day. Hands-down the best deal you'll find to do the races.

If you ask 100 people on this site what the best thing to do, where the best place to sit, etc. is, you're going to get 100 different answers....and none of them will necessarily be wrong.

The Section 3 folks will tell you that their's is the best. People who have had the same 'reserved' seats for 20 years will say their's is worth the extra money. The people who camp out in the Valley of Speed will swear by it to the end of their days. And the ones who 'live' in the pits all week will tell you that's up close and where the action is.

The best answer is, be prepared for anything. Bring lots of money because you'll have to pay for gas to and from (it's 12 miles out of town), you'll have to pay for parking every day (unless you decide to take a shuttle from one of the casinos every day), admission costs, plus an additional cost for the pit passes. Food. Every manner of race merchandise. Buying RARA merchandise helps keep the event going. Buying 'team' merchandise in the pits helps the teams afford it. It's all important. But it all adds up. I guess it depends on how many days you'll be there over the week. My biggest suggestion is don't just sit in the stands all day long. Get out and explore.

Bring good shoes because there will be lots of walking involved. From one end of the pits where the 'little planes' are parked at the west end, to the Heritage Competition/display and jet pits is a good mile in distance.

The pits for the Unlimited/T-6/Sport/Bipe/F-1 are on the west end, and you have to buy a pass each day for that. The Jet pits and the Heritage display on the east end are free.

If you decide to sit in the General Admission grandstands, plan on getting there around 6:30 or earlier to get in line, as the best seats are in the top couple of rows of the stands and they go quickly. Reserved stands are more expensive, but you can come and go as you please without worrying about losing a seat. If you decide to watch from the pits, be prepared to make friends because come race time it's like 'rail-birds' at the horse track...gets crowded.

If you're going to be there for several days and you have a rental car, you at least owe it to yourself to go out and spend just one afternoon in the Valley of Speed out in Red Rock. I know a lot of people frown on it, but if you've already paid your admission to the races, it's not hurting RARA any...and it gives a unique perspective that only enhances your understanding while viewing from the grandstands the rest of the time.

My suggestion if you're going to bring a camera is that unless you have what I refer to as the "Sherpa-cameras" (ones with a lens so long that you need to have your own sherpa out front steadying it), take pictures in the pits, but when you're in the stands watching the races...just put the camera down and watch and enjoy. As one who has spent the last several decades watching the races through a viewfinder, I had to say that the year my camera broke and I just sat and 'watched' the last two days were very eye-opening.

As many on this site will tell you, some of the best pictures are in the morning before the field opens. Lots of the planes will go out on the ramp to do engine checks or morning test flights, and the lighting of the sunrise on the planes is spectacular....but you need to get there about 6:00 am to catch the fun...and to get in that early, you need to have a line pass of some sort (see first paragraph). The General Admission gates don't open early enough to let you take advantage of it.

And as other's have suggested, bring ALL manner of clothing each day...no matter what the weather-guessers say. I have had it go from clear blue skies and 80 degree temps to dust storms, wind, rain, snow, and temps in the 40's...sometimes all in the same day. It is the desert, after all.

Take it for what it's worth...but I have a lot of years under my belt, and over the years have learned what I want to see and what I really don't care about, and try to maximize my time and efforts on 'my wants'. But for a rookie, the biggest thing is just go in open-eyed, take it all in, and don't let anyone shoehorn you in to doing it 'their' way. Do it your way and figure it out for yourself....because there is no sense in your marriage ending in divorce after such a short time because of a silly airshow.

[Tigercat24]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

I purchased Reserved Seating for the week and Pit Passes for the week back in March right after they went on sale, so I'm set there. The only real drawback I have right now is that because of finances, we are staying with friends that live on the other side of Lake Tahoe, so it will be a trip each day It is a trip I'm willing to make, but it does present some hassle. And yes, I do have a Sherpa-camera with all manner of lenses, filters, etc. It takes beautiful photos and shoots even better video with fantastic audio (thanks to the shotgun mic I purchased for it).

Like I said, the only problem I have right now is where my lodging is. It's a free stay, but with a long trip from where we are staying to the airport. If anyone has pointers for where to stay that is closer by and dirt cheap, I'm all ears

[flyingjibus]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

I was going to say this, but Big Jim hit it on the head.

My suggestion if you're going to bring a camera is that unless you have what I refer to as the "Sherpa-cameras" (ones with a lens so long that you need to have your own sherpa out front steadying it), take pictures in the pits, but when you're in the stands watching the races...just put the camera down and watch and enjoy. As one who has spent the last several decades watching the races through a viewfinder, I had to say that the year my camera broke and I just sat and 'watched' the last two days were very eye-opening.

[Leo]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

I agree, I take all of my pictures in the pits now and just enjoy the rest.

You may find that commute will be more expensive than staying local. Rooms are not cheap as they tend to raise the rates during events but it might be worth looking into if it's not too late.
You wonder why some of the locals with extra space don't let fans, ahem, borrow it.
I have tent camped before and if the weather doesn't turn to crud it is fine. The sights, sounds and camraderie is something to be experienced. There are others here that still tent I am sure but I bet they have fairly elaborate set-ups!

Even with reserve seats you want to get there early. Races start at 8 with the bipes and formula and you don't want to miss them. Some of the best racing happens early!

[Air Boss]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

As usual, Big Jim and the fellas are all over it. Did the Tahoe ommute one year (daughter lives in Crystal Bay). It's doable but a drain. Given fuel $$ and time each day from Tahoe might consider smaller places in and around Reno like Super 8, Motel 6, and indy motels. Check Google, expedia, etc for rates. Don't forget AAA if you are a member.

Have not been paying close attention to it but consider High G Ridge as something different. Tickets sold each day to ride out to viewing area north of Outer 6. It will be a bit further away from the course this year (given course changes) but offers unique view. Photography could be a challenge as it faces south and you may end up shooting into sun from time to time.

Bottom line: What those guys said! Get there early and stay untl they kick you out!

[Leo]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

I would add that unless your fiancee/wife is as much a fan as you, be prepared to give concessions to the discomfort, noise, crowds, etc. so she will come back and let YOU come back. If mama ain't happy, nobody is!

[Big_Jim]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

I would add that unless your fiancee/wife is as much a fan as you, be prepared to give concessions to the discomfort, noise, crowds, etc. so she will come back and let YOU come back. If mama ain't happy, nobody is!

My suggestion is to give up at least part of one day, and time in the evenings to doing what 'she' wants to do. I know a couple of times with the ex came along, she stayed in town and wandered the casinos all day. Other times I'd be out early in the morning while she and the kids were still asleep...then come back around noon to get them from the hotel.

Leo's right...keep mama happy.

[Skyracer]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

Double what Leo and Big Jim are saying. You don't want to contract AIDS (Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome) in your first year of marriage.

[V1670]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

About all I can add is you're gonna LOVE it! Be prepared for anything from the 40's to the 90's. Wind/heat/rain/snow/dust. Good shoes. Easy to walk 5-6 miles in one day with all the stuff to see.
Go early in the week for Qualifying. It's one big,friendly gathering. but the
Qual's are where the REAL hard-core airplane nuts are and some of the friendliest, most knowledgable folks you'll ever meet hang out.

As mentioned, I go early in the week and stay till "ya get kicked out"
It's a fabulous event. Be prepared to get hooked and make it an annual trek.

[Airpirate]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

I purchased Reserved Seating for the week and Pit Passes for the week back in March right after they went on sale, so I'm set there. The only real drawback I have right now is that because of finances, we are staying with friends that live on the other side of Lake Tahoe, so it will be a trip each day It is a trip I'm willing to make, but it does present some hassle. And yes, I do have a Sherpa-camera with all manner of lenses, filters, etc. It takes beautiful photos and shoots even better video with fantastic audio (thanks to the shotgun mic I purchased for it).

Like I said, the only problem I have right now is where my lodging is. It's a free stay, but with a long trip from where we are staying to the airport. If anyone has pointers for where to stay that is closer by and dirt cheap, I'm all ears

The commute from Tahoe is not so bad, I have been at the races every year for the past 25, (cept 2001 when we couldn't fly). Stayed in town in Reno, have friends about 4 miles from Stead, stayed there with a large group. Started staying to Tahoe about 8 years ago. Real nice to get up higher where it cooler and have a cleanser outside of Sunnyside or Garwoods. As some of guys mentioned, I drag my wife to the races one day, the rest of the time she bar hops and shops with the other wives. It's all good

[Bob]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

Be prepared to have your bags searched before entering the air races, they do not allow drinks of any kind to be brought in. Sunscreen is a must! The sunscreen that has worked the best for me at the air races is Blue Lizard. Check around your local pharmacies, we have to get it at a hospital pharmacy. A good set of sunglasses and a hat is also a must. If sitting on the bleachers you might want to buy a sit cushion. Be prepared for different kinds of weather, it has rained and snowed on us at the air races.

I have yet to have the folks at the gate tell me I couldnt bring in water, a few sodas and my lunch. Just dont try to bring an ice chest in with you and dont get carried away.

[Plane Nuts]

Re: First Timer...any tips???

If you are going to stay in Reno, Circus Circus is relatively inexpensive. The hotel/casinos are hungry and have dropped their room prices. We have stayed there for many years. We as in the wife and I. Air race fever is contagious. Luckily my wife caught it.