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Ok 4M experts, I need some advice. I am planning a trip with my brother and we are trying to decide which set of races to hit. We have both never been to either place to see racing. Due to work and time off, hitting both in one year won't be possible. So, which one do you all reccomend going to first? I live in southern Indiana, so the plan would be to fly to either Tampa or Phoenix and rent a car to get around. Both places seem to be nicely located for hotels and restaurants, so that seems pretty even to me. Watching some races on YouTube and the action seems pretty good at both tracks. I like the schedule at East Bay a little more due to the fact that they are running Monday thru Saturday, but that is not a deal breaker at the end of the day. Just need some help to push us one way or the other. Thanks.
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Last edited by Just The Tip; 10-31-2018, 02:46 AM. -
I've been to the EB Winternationals probably 15 times or more but never hit the WWSO. Opinions on EB I have many, comparisons to the WWSO I have nothing. Either way you're heading to someplace warmer than where you live. -
I’m in the same boat at the moment. I’ve never been out west before but I’m not sure if I wanna do wwso, or VolusiaComment
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The thing with Eastbay or Volusia you probably should've made hotel reservations 8 months ago to get decent pricing because they could be outrageously high. Especially Volusia.Comment
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I have family with in a half hour so I wouldn’t really need to worry about that thereOriginally posted by MI Dirt Fan View PostComment
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If never been west, the mountains and sunset are some of best you'll ever see. San Diego not long drive from phoenix. Would imagine more to do in day time as well. If get chance take the drive to sedonaComment
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I wait and snipe the cheap prices on Priceline. Move around a lot, but that has it's benefits too.Originally posted by MI Dirt Fan View PostComment
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I’ve been to soeedweeks for about the last 15 years. I always try to catch the last night or two at east bay then as much as i can at volusia. Seen some awesome racing there over the years. Bubbas has a race in between those two now as week. Plus Daytona 500.. bigger car counts and better cars in Florida. I went to Arizona a year or two ago and last few nights were rained out so didn’t get to see any racing but will be going back this year to catch a few nights to see what it’s like.Comment
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I loved the years of going to East Bay, its a unique race track, BUT you only see 1 class, and early in the week a bunch of "heavy hitters" skip the non-Lucas point nights. With that being said, 1st time going to East Bay is still enjoyable and you're not racing late into the night and have time to do other things. I like Volusia as well. If I was going to do a week in FL I'd hit Volusia early in the week then hit East Bay for the Lucas points races.
Never been to the WWS but opposite of East Bay, they run alot of classes.Comment
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East bay wins the tie with the strawberry shortcake.....Where is the move over flag when you need it?????Comment
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Been to both.
For pure racing quality and depth of field - East Bay is by far superior. East Bay will get most of the national travellers plus top regional guys and the depth of talent in the field is just greater. Racing surface is a hard/slick (AZ) versus soft/wet track that slicks off with higher laps so East Bay changes throughout the night. Although, night racing at AZ tracks is really good when track is wet/fast then slicks off later.
Track Experience: to me, East Bay truly marks the start of the racing season. Many guys go out to AZ to test and knock the rust off and have fun. But at East Bay they race really hard and for the Lucas guys... they know they have to start well or dig themselves in a hole early. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is like walking through post race at East Bay and literally every car has panels off and crews are banging out sheet metal. Only pile larger in the pits than the discarded tires... the nose pieces, sheet metal and bars that get removed/replaced during the week.
Cost: Arizona beats Florida hands down. Much more to do in Arizona like sight seeing and places to go that are inexpensive than Florida. While not Spring Break - Florida knows it is peak season and everything there from food to sight seeing is expensive. If you are on a tight budget... you will see quality racing in AZ and have a lot of fun away from the track at a lower cost.
People: East Bay will have more true racing fans to connect with prior/after races. Just in the camping area alone you will find people that have been going to East Bay for 20+ years. Great stories and great times camping whereas in AZ you don't see the volume of camping you do at East Bay.
My recommendation - do what I have done for several years - go to Florida - take in the last few nights of East Bay, go up to Bubba and take in an event and then head over to the big track at Volusia to take in a few races. You get to see three very different race tracks and for the most part, some really good racing (Bubba is hit or miss but the shape is something really unique). Also, while at Volusia you can swing over to Daytona during the day and get into some of the NASCAR and ARCA stuff for free. Watching cards speed by at 200+ mph is always a rush.
Rich Olson
Minneapolis, MNComment
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Rich how long has it been since you came to AZ? I had the exact opposite experience with surface and camping folks. The camping area at FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway is packed full as are the grandstands every night. All the snowbirds are in town plus a ton of travelers.
Everyone should make the trip to the Wild West Shootout at least once in their life. It is such a great experience. Laid back but some very hard door to door racing. Add to that the Keyser Quarter Million Challenge and the drama is through the roof. I think this year's field will be one of the best to ever come to Az.Comment
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Girl you know it's true, lol.....Originally posted by Clayton_Wetter View Post
Find us a Millie vanilli meme.
Joking aside, I've been to east bay quite a bit but never anywhere out west ....it's on the list but just haven't been able to swing it yet.
And plus, that dang strawberry shortcake.Where is the move over flag when you need it?????Comment
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Thank you Rich for the detailed response. That was exactly what I was hoping for. I have actually been to Volusia and Bubba before, so this trip was going to be purely East Bay if we decide on Florida. Their Monday thru Saturday schedule is something that really appeals to me.Originally posted by FANSFund View PostComment
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