Where to sit and other questions.

[JCH]

Hello all,

I will be going to Reno for the first time this year and would appreciate any advice as to where to sit (reserved vs. GA), and where to stay in Reno and any other bits of info that we will need. Thanks

Coates Head

[Sky Critter]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

I would highly recommend getting a reserved seat in the grand stands, as high up as possible. I usually do the pits one day and the static display area for several hours on a different day. You'll want to be in your seats most of Saturday and Sunday. Once Sunday's racing is over, hand out in the stands for another hour or so and watch a lot of the static guys depart. This will also allow most of traffic to thin out.

We stay at the Peppermill or John Ascuaga's Nugget and really like both places. The rates are pretty good and there's a good selection of restaraunts. Both are easy to get to from the freeway.

Don't forget a camera, sunscreen and a jacket. A few years back we got burned on Thursday and it snowed on Sunday. Buy there or bring something to sit on (cushion) for the grand stands. The programs are always worth the 20 bucks.

A scanner is cool for listening in if you have one. DO NOT bring a transceiver as stuck mics are a problem every year.

Hope this helps a bit. Your're gonna love it!

[AirDOGGe]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

In the GA bleachers, we did best by getting there before the gates opened and getting seats at the very top, back row (best view, and you at least have the railing behind you as a backrest []).

[bulldawg66]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

Section 3 is always a great place to sit. It's in the GA stands and you can't miss it - just look for the orange shirts, banners, etc. Many of the airshow performers and racers will pull up in front of section 3 to salute and say hello, usually waving their own orange section 3 shirt! It really is pretty cool, plus everyone sitting there will have a wealth of knowledge on what's going on, plus can give you detailed history on the planes, etc.

As for where to stay, there are many good places in and around Reno. I come every year with my brother and we like to be down on Virginia Street. You can go with the nicer (albeit more expensive) hotels such as the Silver Legacy, or you can go dirt cheap like we do at the Cal-Neva.

One thing you DEFINITELY do not want to be without are sunglasses. It's usually severe clear at Stead and you'll have a hard time seeing what's going on without them. If you forget, there are sunglass tents at the airshow.

When you head up to Stead, if you get off on Lemmon there's a grocery store called Scolari's that sells discounted GA tickets, as well!

Welcome aboard, and I'm sure we'll be seeing you for years to come. Once you experience the races I'm sure you'll be coming back!

Tom

[Leo]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

I am cheap (broke) so have gone GA almost every year of the last 33. The ticket deal at Scolari's IS the best around, it is usually a $5 per ticket discount and no ticket generation fees so beats the regular ticket services all to heck. There are several locations around town. They also sell last years shirts and hats real cheap if they have them left.
Like Airdog we get there way before the gates open so we can get in and get a choice of spots. For several years there was a shelf on the bleacher tops where you could set chairs but that, alas, is gone.
We sit on the ramp, against the front fence and as far towards section 3 as possible. Although you cannot see some of the ground action to the west due to the hump in the runway, it is offset by the ability to sit in your own chair and move about a little easier than from the stands. I also like the lower shot angle on the taxiing racers.
Pack light. For the last several years they have been tight on food and drinks, but always let me brink in a modest lunch and a couple small waters to get me through. No ice chests or such (though I have seen them, no idea how they get in).
Layer your clothing. It will be chilly at the gate in the morning and if there is the slightest breeze it will be COLD. As the sun comes up it will warm up quick so you have to be able to shed. Sunscreen, a hat (I like either a wide brim or my goofy hat with the neck cloth) and sunglasses are a must. You will regret not having either.
Remember this is high desert and it can be hot, cold, raining or snowing, all in the same day, sometimes the same hour. So be as prepared as you can.
I spend Saturday through Wednesday in the pits as it is only $5-7 a day, then just enjoy the show the other days. The arrival days the week before are great if you can get here that early.
Finding a room at this late date, at a good price, may be hard. I have never stayed in town so don't really know.
Other than that, just have a ball and look us up!

[WVRACEFAN]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

JCH,

Congrats on going to your first Reno. Financial difficulties will keep me away again this year, but I was a newbie in '03, back in '05,'06,'07, and learned a lot. Good seats are a must on Sat and Sun, but not very during the week. A pit pass is a MUST, and during the week you'll likely spend most of your time there, which is why seating during the week is not as important.

I stay at the Circus Circus as it's easy to get to the hwy from there, rates are OK, and as it's connected to the Silver Legacy and Eldorado, you have three casinos and numerous restaurants to eat at w/o having to drive anywhere. Regardless, you should hit Brew Brothers brewery/restaurant at the Eldorado.

My '03 trip seemed to be a fluke weather wise as it was warm and sunny the whole time. My other trips showed that packing a variety of clothes is important. As others have said, anything can happen in Reno in September. Shorts and tanktop one day, long pants and jacket the next and still be freezing. Hat, sunscreen, nose/lip sunscreen are important. A bad sunburn on your first day can ruin your trip.

Enjoy!

[darrellmims]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

Section 3 ,is there any other choice ? Of course not everyone can set there. I'll be there Saturday strolling the pits and Sunday in Section 3

[kensantafe]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

I may have some box seats and pit passes at the start of the week
PM me in a few weeks
Ken

[BUD_XXX]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

All good advice.

And don't forget to bring or buy a big hat. The Nevada sun will agravate the Skin Cancer on just about everybody.

They usually have two or three booths at the races, to buy any kind of hat you like.

Oh yeah ....Brings lots of cash. between food, hotels and gambling...there won't be much left for all the stuff they sell....hats, shirts, books, drawings, oddball souvineers...etc.

[Leo]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

Not to head off-topic, but a reminder for everybody that highway 80 over the donner summit is under construction AGAIN. They opened a second lane eastbound for Hot August Nights but it is usually 1 barricaded lane both ways from Hirschdale to Verdi. I drive through there several times a week and it can be a slow biotch to travel.
Also there will be construction on Lemmon Drive and as far into Stead as Bravo. It is supposed to either be finished (HA!) or in a temporary state to not interfere with the races but who knows.
And lastly, always be aware of the school zones around the race site. Reno's finest enforces them with vigor and places several officers at them every day! Plus, the NHP has periodically been running speed traps on 395 north (well, and south) in the Golden Valley, Lemmon Valley and Stead areas for several months now.

[darrellmims]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

I like setting in Section 3 on Sunday. Saturday is spent back and forth from the Pits and in the stands.

[BUD_XXX]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

I remember dragging my trailer thru that section a couple of years back....scared crapless driving white knuckled.....

[mayday51]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

Here is a link to RARA's site, in point their brochure on the races and ticket/pit pass pricing:

http://www.airrace.org/2010RARABrochure.pdf

........we used to (when we could attend) at the Quality Inn,
or Comfort Inn. (got decent rates by reserving around march/april)


....If you are there,
It is good.
(your adventure may vary)

[Leo]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

Hope this doesn't constitute off topic, but you CAN do the races for cheap. For several years I bought my tickets, some easy food fixin's and tented it in the old lot (they used to charge less for tents. One of my best years it rained most of the week (82) and everything I had was soaked. I spent the week wet, cold and hungry. But I sat in my wet chair one evening eating soggy lunchmeat and watched Dreadnaught and the new Super Corsair fly around, the sounds reflecting off of the clouds. That and many more memories that year are why I STILL consider it one of my best years there.
It is all in what you make of it.
One more suggestion. If you've never been, don't get picture or video crazy. It is easy to want to capture EVERYTHING. Take what you can, but also take the time to soak in the sights and sounds without a viewfinder in the way. Take it from someone that has hundreds of photos and hours of video. The real deal is better.

[spec29]

Re: Where to sit and other questions.

You might want to consider taking hearing protection...NOT for the racers...(who wants to miss those sounds?)... but for the possible military demo's. The Thunderbirds' PA system is 'waaaayyy overloud, and planes like the F-22 are horrendously loud...I have been very uncomfortable even with both earplugs and industrial duty sound muffs...

Barn