I'm quite disappointed, I did a lot of walking and it doesn't seem like there's a lot of good vantage points to watch the race. Only one I found so far is on the landing of a stairwell at the Hilton next to the walkover bridge at turn 11 (the bridge w/ the green Baltimore Convention Ctr awning). There's an area between 8 and 9 that would be pretty good but it has a fence banner, pisses me off.

Anyone here found any good spots?

 

Don't get me started. I couldn't be more upset at the organizers of this event . There were literally 0 places to watch the race with a general admissions ticket, despite being lied to with the website specifically saying there would be. The police and security had the nerve to tell people they couldn't watch from ANY of the bridges of that excellent parking garage overlooking turn 3. WTF did we pay for if we aren't even allowed to stand in the infield area and watch the race?! I felt treated like a criminal or loiterer despite having a GA ticket! My favorite thing honestly was the car coral, which is sad since that isn't even really part of the race. The Ford GT40 in gulf oil livery was sweeet though, as was the 25th anniversary countach and a number of other nice cars !

 

I had a GA admission ticket and it was amazing...

GA is GA.. Pony up for grand stand next year.

 

I would have loved to purchase a grandstand ticket, but unfortunately they were already sold out when I got my tickets. But that is not the point.

From the BGP website "A Grounds Admission ticket gives you full access to the infield party, including the concerts, the Family Fun Zone, and the Interactive Racing Zone. But don't think that's all you get: There are a multitude of areas around the track that provide excellent viewing of the racing action, and of course, the sound of these awesome vehicles screaming through the streets of Baltimore is an experience in and of itself. " Yet I am wrong in being upset about being lied to? As a matter of fact I heard many people, including strangers, complaining of the lack of race viewing options with GA ticket. I'm glad you had a good time, and I did as well, but that was do to hanging out with friends and seeing some cool cars. That doesn't mean the GA ticket was a good value, or that I received services that were promised in the ticket description.

 

Watched the race from home and noticed all the banners on the fencing that would block the view. Much worse viewing compared to the only street race I've ever been to, the US F1 GP at Phoenix featuring Prost and Senna. Even then I really didn't "see" the race until I got home and watched the video tape of the race. For me the biggest surprise was the guttural sound of the v10 and v12 engines--tv doesn't do it justice. I'm sure the Indycars sound amazing too.

 

I expected more from ground admissions, as nearly all vantage points from up above were blocked off. I spent nearly the entire race trying to find a good view. Didnt even know the race was over. The sound was amazing though and I did watch one of the cars nearly crash in to the sidewall towards the end of the race.

 

Sorry you expected more out of the lowest priced ticketing option but the fact is there were plenty of places around. I have the video on my phone. I was able to watch several laps from each turn against fence. (Well to be fair, nearly all of them -- I made it a point to try, though.) It was just a lot of ground to cover.

 

Yes, they did go to great lengths to make the grand stand tickets more valuable than GA by blocking similar or better views. Good of 'em. They are a for profit organization. :shrug.

 

I have to disagree with your assessment of more a expensive ticket means a better view. My dad spoke to a woman who had a grandstand seat in section 27 and she said she really couldn't see the front chicane very well and she couldn't see into turn 1. She said was disappointed she bought a grandstand seat. The view on the landing of the Hilton around Turn 11 would have been better if they didn't have that pedestrian bridge right there.

Speaking of pedestrian bridges, they could have used another pedestrian crossover bridge, around the runoff area around Turn 3 which would make getting over to the Turns 5/6/7 complex easier.

One other thing that bothered me was this extra fencing inside of the regular fencing. WTH? They didn't have that at the National GP in DC.

I'm cutting the organizers a little slack only because it's the first race but the vantage points will need to be improved for next year. And after all, at least it's not nascar.

 

You mean the fence that seperated the attendees from the track side officials and media? Yea.... not sure why they would do that at all. ..............