Final weekend, in what’s turning into one thing of a Carroll household custom, we drove ten hours to affix Peter Hughes at Watkins Glen for an IMSA race. We camped within the infield, survived a deluge, poked across the paddock, noticed some pals and frolicked among the many race vehicles. It was about as a lot enjoyable as I’ve had all 12 months. None of it required me to flash a special-access journalist card, both. You would be having the very same enjoyable as me, just about.

I do know folks have fond reminiscences of IMSA within the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and presumably ‘90s. However I’m sure that sports activities automotive racing in America is healthier than it’s ever been. This — proper now — is its golden age. Have you ever seen the Cadillacs do the bump begin factor? Please, I implore you. Don’t miss this. No matter your age, you can be useless a lot before you assume. This period of IMSA will most likely be useless before that. It’s referred to as ‘lightning in a bottle’ for a motive. If in any respect potential, get your ass to an IMSA race.

A few of you might have already completed it. Daytona noticed report crowds for Rolex once more this 12 months, TV viewership was up. Laguna Seca reported its largest-ever development in ticket gross sales year-over-year. Lengthy Seashore bought out. Watkins Glen was packed to the rafters with campers and spectators all weekend. The grid was the biggest since 1984, comprised of 57 vehicles, many coming off among the finest ever runnings of the 24 Hours of LeMans.

A weekend’s price of entry goes to value you round 100 bucks and it’s much less for those who simply need to catch the precise race. A number of tracks help you camp, which makes the weekend cheaper and quite a bit easier from a logistical standpoint. Tenting additionally permits you higher entry to the paddock when the daytime crowds go away and it’s seemingly extra enjoyable for pals who’re much less into the entire, vehicles ripping round on a monitor factor. Total, the weekend ought to value about what parking close to an F1 circuit on a race weekend prices.

There are six races left on the schedule this 12 months. Seize tickets, fill a cooler, dig out your tent and go watch among the finest racing anybody’s ever seen.