Daytona Admission (Fans) Fees?

[zracer196]

Just curious if anyone knows why they were making friends and family purchase credential / crew passes?  I have been racing Daytona since 1996 and have never had to have friends / family buy an expensive pass for ONE day of admission.  It was cheap to get in the infield, but could not get into the pits w/o a crew credential...Used to be able to get a wrist band for the paddock passes...Maybe $10-15 for that...

My wife went to the new turn one tunnel and they let her in for free...Told her if I escorted her in it was OK...I was happy with that but none of my teammates could do that...Alot of confusion for the fans...Especially ones that have been coming for years...

Wish there was some notice of that so I could tell everyone how to get in and how much it was going to cost...

Anyone have a clue?

Thanks in advance!

[WebCrush]

I'm also curious about that AND how many entries there were.  The grids seemed pretty large and I'm willing to think that the $30k insurance bill was MORE than covered.

I also heard that CCS rented the ENTIRE track and was received ALL gate fees as well.

[SVbadguy]

For spectators:
Thursday it was $6 to get into the infield.
Friday $10.  Free parking.
Saturday $15.  Free motorcycle parking
Sunday $20  Free motorcycle parking
There was also an advance 4-day ticket for $40.  
None of this allowed pit access.

Sucks if your family (like mine) just wanted to watch Fri and Sat, but can't come to your pit.

[zracer196]

I was wondering why they changed the way they were doing things for all these years...Epecially w/o telling anyone...

$40+ was alot for one day...

In my case I had co-workers, friends, etc. coming from Orlando...Alot of them had never seen motorcycle racing...I told them how much fun it was for the FAMILY (kids can sit on the bikes, we will be grilling, food, drinks, etc...), hang with us in the pits, etc.

What a disappointment when they called me and told me they could not get in...Even if they had wanted to pay, what chaos it was.  Nobody knew what to tell them.  Finally we found out that they had to get full blown crew credentials...

Sad way to find out...

Oh Well, I guess we know for next time.  That will mean ALOT LESS FANS...It is already disappointing.  Now there will be less...

[secularist]

I was wondering why they changed the way they were doing things for all these years...Epecially w/o telling anyone...

$40+ was alot for one day...

In my case I had co-workers, friends, etc. coming from Orlando...Alot of them had never seen motorcycle racing...I told them how much fun it was for the FAMILY (kids can sit on the bikes, we will be grilling, food, drinks, etc...), hang with us in the pits, etc.

What a disappointment when they called me and told me they could not get in...Even if they had wanted to pay, what chaos it was.  Nobody knew what to tell them.  Finally we found out that they had to get full blown crew credentials...

Sad way to find out...

Oh Well, I guess we know for next time.  That will mean ALOT LESS FANS...It is already disappointing.  Now there will be less...

the paddock was sooooooooo packed though on the Busch side that if there were family and fans roaming around people would have been hurt for sure...plenty of close calls as it was.  I always feel better leaving gear laying around when the security is a tad higher...racer's don't steal from each other.

[zracer196]

I don't disagree with the security reason...

Notice of the change would have been nice though.  I wouldn't get a bunch of people all hyped up about "being right there with me" if I knew it was changing...

Maybe it was insurance reasons like the increase in the entry fees?  

[secularist]

I don't disagree with the security reason...

Notice of the change would have been nice though.  I wouldn't get a bunch of people all hyped up about "being right there with me" if I knew it was changing...

Maybe it was insurance reasons like the increase in the entry fees?  

and I'm with you...I mean hey it's Daytona!!! what better place to have your peeps be able to watch you?!

somehow I don't think that place can ever be the family friendly enviroment that a VIR is so easily.  by design.  any place that is the hub of NASCRAP is gonna be all regimented, I guess.  the price we have to pay for playing in the big boys sandbox.