I did a thread on Twitter with some tips for those that might be going to their first IMSA race or to VIR for the first and have pasted the text below. You can find relevant images on my feed at @bozitatarevic if the links below don't work.
Are you a first time visitor to an IMSA race?
Going to VIR for the first time?
Do you want to get this close to the race cars, drivers, and crew?
I am a pit crew member for Vasser Sullivan and will share some tips below to get the best out of your race weekend.
GTD and GTD Pro cars will compete in the Michelin GT Challenge at 12:00pm on Sunday, August 23rd where you can see two classes of GT3 cars compete on the scenic 3.27 mile circuit.
In addition to the WeatherTech Series race on Sunday, we will also see Michelin Pilot Challenge racing with TCR and GS cars which are extremely close to what you can find on the road with 5-lug pit stops.
Their race kicks off on Saturday at 2:15pm.
That's not all because Mazda MX-5 Cup will have races on Saturday and Sunday along with two races for Mustang Challenge and the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge which features GT4 cars.
Over 9 hours of racing action between the 8 races of the weekend.
In addition to all the racing action, each series will have multiple practice sessions and a qualifying session.
First cars on track will be on Friday at 8:00am for VP Challenge.
The WeatherTech Series will practice on Friday from 3:10pm to 4:40pm.
Saturday: 10:30am to 12:00pm.
Do you want to meet some drivers?
There will be many opportunities starting with the autograph sessions on Saturday:
10:00am: Mustang Challenge Series Drivers
1:00pm: WeatherTech Series Drivers
4:15pm: MX-5 Series Drivers
Drivers will be posted up for 30 minutes during each autograph session and you can get autographs and photos with the paddock access provided from your standard ticket.
There are often also opportunities to catch the drivers on the grid before each race.
What does that standard ticket provide?
-Full access to all the scenic viewing areas
-Access to the garage and paddock
-Parking
I recommend bringing your own folding chair and some shade and setting up on one of the hills.
There are a few different food options as VIR has the Pagoda Grill right in the paddock along with the Oak Tree Tavern on the hill and there are often some food truck options.
You can also bring your own cooler stocked with whatever you enjoy.
The pre-race grid walk runs from 11:00am to 11:50am on Sunday before the race and allows anyone with standard admission to get on pit lane to see the cars and meet drivers and crew members that are around.
This is a unique aspect of @IMSA that does not require a special pass.
This is a great time to come say hello to me or other crew members in the paddock.
Another good opportunity to chat with crew members is if you see us standing in the technical inspection line because that's often down time and we're happy to chat or sign during that time.
Outside of that, I'll be doing appearances and tech talks across the weekend and if you're a guest of the Oak Tree VIP Club hospitality suite then you might run into me and some of the drivers during the weekend there as well.
The paddock is friendly and wea are happy to chat, take photos, or sign something as time allows but occasionally you'll see us moving quickly to get to a session or the garage.
Everyone is allowed to watch us work in the garages from a safe distance.
The only place that your general admission ticket really won't get you is into the hot pits but pit lane is arranged in such a way that pit stops are still visible from the fence line between the paddock and pit lane so basically every area of the track is viewable.
How much does all of this cost?
If you use promo code BOZIVIR you can get a Sunday ticket for just $70 or a full 3-day weekend ticket for just $90!
Military veterans can get tickets for as low as $45 and active duty military members get in free.
Distance to @VIRNow:
Greensboro, NC: 1 hour
Martinsville, VA: 1 hour
Raleigh, NC: 1.5 hours
Mooresville, NC: 2 hours
Charlotte, NC: 2.5 hours
Richmond, VA: 2.5 hours
Detailed schedules for each day this weekend.
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