I have never been to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and I am going to purchase tickets on the morning of September 29th. I need to make sure I get decent seats. Money isn't that big of a deal to me; I think the max ticket price for Sunday is $140.00. That's not that bad. I expected them to be a lot more.
Anyway, can anyone recommend: Infield, turn one, paddock, etc...
Thanks a bunch,
Barrett.

 

I went to the first running. Everyone in practice & qualifying, including us, quickly congregated to the turn1 (indy would call it turn 4 on the oval) area. There, you could see down the straight, and the first 3-4-5 turns on the infield. It's amazing to see those cars brake from 220 or so down to almost nothing to make the hard right-hander. You want to be in section H or J, fairly high up. These are absolutely the best. But looking at www.brickyard.com, it looks like those seats might be sold out (not a big surprise). If that is the case, maybe the front straight where you can perhaps see the pit & grid action (Paddock or A?). And possibly G might have a decent view of the infields final set of turns. I think it does, but I don't recall. Maybe Northwest Vista, but bring binocs as it is getting far away!

 

I went in 2000 and 2001, and I agree that the first corner has the action certainly on lap one at least. I did enjoy the last turn out of the infield onto the Oval Turn 2 as it is cool watching and hearing them accelerate out onto that very long front straight, this being the longest flat-out sector in all of F1. However the most enjoyable time I spent was for practice just standing on the spectator mound at the end of Hulman Blvd. I am a big fan of glowing brake rotors and since F1 braking is so awesome this was quite a spot.

 

Hands down USGP turn one, Indy turn 4. I've been attending since 2000 and I've been everywhere during practice and quals. My seats are in stand J and they really can't be beat. USGP turn one is the only real passing zone

 

I went last year and had the Penthouse seats. As far as not geating a sun bath they can't be beat. If you get the ones further from the starting line you can see the first few turns (but will need binoculars).

On the other side, the pitstops are a show in themselves (closer to the starting line).

 

Here are some pics that will show you what you can see from the penthouse seats

The main view is of course the main straight




You can walk to the end of the penthouse and will be able to see turns 1,2,3 & 4 if you have
binoculars (or a good telephoto lens )




If you walk to the other end you can see the last turn (I did not take a photo though)

You can also see the pits. Slow moving cars coming out of a pitstop can be captured well
on a cheap still camera.


The only really annoying thing is that close up shots will be spoiled by the darn fence (You will not get a publishable shot)

The really good thing is that you will NOT get a single ray of sun. This of course is a good thing if you are with someone who does not take sun well.

 

Thanks guys. I forgot to clarify, but I'm going to the 2004 race in June. I buy the morning tickets go on sale. This way I can almost be promised any seat I want...which will most likely be turn one.
Thanks a bunch guys. See ya there!