Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

From northwest Ohio, I have been to a number of different tracks including Eldora, Knoxville and Charlotte to name a few. This year the i55 Ironman is on our bucket list. We r looking for any info about tickets, seating, camping at the track etc.   Also anybody else have bucket list tracks this year that others could help with their experiences?  Need to get vacation request in as winter winds down.

It is one of my favorite events of the year. Since they paired the powri midgets with them a couple years ago it even got better.  The top several rows on the front and backstretch are reserved, but there are plenty of good general admission seats available. I would also say that a pit pass is worth it for at least one night. Standing in the infield against the fence is an awesome experience. I would suggest doing that during the heats since its a little difficult to catch all of the action standing down there. There are always a bunch of campers and rvs, but I don't believe that there are any hookups. I don't think you will be disappointed in the action if it's the first time at the track. 

The ticket diagrams on the World of Outlaws website shows the seating charts.  All the reserved seats that they sell are good seats, the higher the better, or course.  My group has seats in the top rows near the flagstand in section C.  If you do not have reserved seats the seats below the reserved seats in Section K are good as are the seats in turn 3.  Some brave fans stand between turns 3 and 4 to be close to the action.  The seats in turn 4 catch more dirt than any others.  I recommend advance reserve seats if you are sure you are coming.  For the Ironman the place is packed 

There are many acres of camping available.  Take a look at an aerial view of the track (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55) on Google Maps and you can get an idea.  The entire road leading to the pits east of the track is parked primarily with motor homes and some campers in a row.  The grassy areas toward the creek are where others have their campers and tailgate parties.  Camping is free.   

I always bring a pair fo safety glasses to the track, but when I saw some people with ski goggles, I became concerned.   The track was really gritty and everyone had to go to their safety glasses.   I saw a couple of people with breathing masks and I would have used one if I had one.

The racing was very good.   Deffinitely something evevyone should do at least once.   I have been to St Lous several times and I still enjoy the tourist traps.   I always do a tour of the Bud brewery and I always go up in the arch.   I think those are must dos when you go

Thank u madman, can't wait. So if we show up on Friday, we should be able to get a spot to put tents up and camper at the track. Also we can get a general admission ticket with good seats? Can't beat that.

I went last year to the Iron Man on my way out to Knoxville for the Nationals. It was my first time going to I-55 and it was a great event. We had pit passes each night so we sat in the general admission seats just to the left of the flag stand. They were low, only about 5 rows up but they were still very good seats and we saw everything without a problem. The racing was top notch. The track is awesome. I knew it was high banked but once you see it in person you really get an idea of just how high the banking is. With POWRI being on the card with the WoO it makes for a hell of weekend. It is a must see event in my opinion for everyone.      

Ironman is a must see.  Track is bad-ass.  Powri midgets are a perfect support class, you'll go back.

RIch M

For a different and neat place to watch from is the infield in turns 1 & 2! No dirt or dust problems down there, but a bad ass view for sure! Bring a lawn chair and the bathrooms and concessions are right there, best seats in the house! Several years ago I replaced the 360 nats with this race and now I wouldn't miss The Iron Man!

I would reiterate the pit pass idea. I did that last year and it was great. Sitting in the pit grandstands, while you get wailed with dirt, it didn't seem as bad as the turns or the frontstretch. Pevely is my favorite place to see winged sprints and the midgets are also really good there. 

Belleville Midget Nationals has been on my bucket list for a long time. Anyone else been? Is it worth it?

I went in 2015, it's pretty cool. Belleville is literally in the middle of nowhere (you don't truly understand that term until you've been in Kansas). The car counts have improved recently, there is a group of fans who have put substantial dollars into the purse to get car counts back to the 30s. 

The atmosphere is really neat, it's like a fair going on behind the race track, lots of good food and rides for kids.

I wouldn't miss the Ironman for it, but it's an event I'm glad i can say I've been to. 

Thank you.

I have been to both and I would put Belleville above the IronMan.   Belleville is an absolute speed palace.   The speeds that the cars carry around the track is absolutely amazing.  It is the pure deffinitieon of "Go Fast or Go Home" I also enjoy watching the fair go on while the racing is happening. 

I will admit that in the last 10 years that USAC midgets have surpassed WOO as my favorite class. If you have both on your bucket list, you should definitely make the effort to see both.   Can't miss events.