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Diversions

Vrooom with a view

Finding a good spot to watch the IndyCar drivers overtake one another is key. But there's plenty more to see at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. And don't forget your ear plugs.

By PETER COUTURE
Published March 29, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Mike Pease (2005)] Walking the scenic St. Petersburg course is a fun way to see the race. Pick a car to follow so you have a rooting interest, and keep an eye on the video boards so you know what’s happening away from where you are at the moment.

Watching a street race like this weekend's Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg can be a little like watching a golf tournament - only louder.

You can plant yourself in one spot and let the action come to you, or you can roam the course.

St. Petersburg has earned praise from the IndyCar competitors, who like its 14-turn layout and waterfront location shades of the world's most scenic street course - Monaco.

"My suggestion would be to find a seat in a corner or a couple of corners," says Chris Esslinger, the longtime director of communications for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the oldest U.S. street race and part of the Champ Car circuit that ran at St. Petersburg in 2003.

Esslinger's advice comes with a reminder that passing on street courses is at a minimum, and the corners are often the only place one car can overtake another, outside of a pit stop. "You want to be able to see the big screen so that when the cars leave your line of sight, you can see what's going on," he said.

In St. Petersburg, the three grandstand sections fit that bill.

The main one that faces the long Albert Whitted Airport straightaway offers a view of the pits, the large video screens and the start/finish line. (The higher you are, the better the view).

The one at what is called the Honda Corner, Turn 10, overlooks a tricky left-hander facing the South Yacht Basin that can lead to mishaps. The grandstand at Turns 1 and 2 is at the end of the airport straightaway and offers a view of one of the best passing zones.

But the best way to experience the race may be to get out of your seat - or don't even bother with one. (General admission tickets often mean standing-room only.)

"We've found over time that more and more people are walking the course - whether it's St. Pete or Long Beach - there is so much going on (besides the race) . . . that people like to be mobile," Esslinger says.

In St. Petersburg, that means you can roam the 1.8-mile street circuit and the paddock (it's worth the extra cost for a pass - just don't expect to waltz up to Danica Patrick for an autograph). To really get a feel for the speed, sound and sudden braking, take in some of the race along the concrete barriers on First Street S, where the cars decelerate off a straightaway for a series of turns past Pioneer Park.

Some other tips for wanderers:

- It's hard to keep track of the race leaders and the lap count. Be prepared to walk back to areas with video boards, which are along the airport straightaway and between Turns 10 and 11.

- Choose one car to follow. Danica Patrick? St. Petersburg resident Dan Wheldon? Any race is more enjoyable with a rooting interest. IndyCars aren't the rolling billboards that NASCAR racers are, so a quick look online at www.indycar.com/drivers can help recognize the driver speeding past you. The same goes for Saturday's ALMS sports car race, which features distinctive cars in different classes.

- Ear plugs. Buy them - ahead of time or at the race. Even though the IndyCar Series is using more sound reduction technology on its engines for 2007, you'll still be glad you have them.

Schedule

Today: American Le Mans Series Driver Chat, 6 to 7 p.m., BayWalk, Second Street at Second Avenue N, downtown St. Petersburg.

Friday: Gates open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for practices and qualifying.

Saturday: Gates open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with practices and qualifying in the morning.

- 2:50 p.m., Indy Pro 40-lap race

- 5:05 p.m., Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg

- Approximately 8:15 p.m., Concert by Los Lobos in the Honda Plaza inside the race circuit. The concert is included in race admission.

Sunday: Gates open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

- 11:30 a.m., Indy Pro 40-lap race

- 2:45 p.m., Honda Indy St. Pete (100 laps)

- 5:15 p.m., Concert by Yellowcard in the Honda Plaza inside the race circuit. The concert is included in race admission.

Tickets

General admission

Friday and Saturday: $25 adult, $10 junior

Sunday: $40 adult, $15 junior

Three-day: $45 adult, $20 junior

Reserved grandstand

Three-day: $110 or $85 adult, $80 or $55 junior

Sunday reserved: $80 or $60 adult, $55 or $35 for junior

IndyCar series paddock pass (requires admission ticket)

One-day unlimited: $30 adult, $25 junior

Three-day unlimited: $55 adult, $50 junior

Tickets available through 5 p.m. Friday at the Honda Grand Prix box office, 25 Second St. N; at www.Ticketmaster.com or, Friday through Sunday, at ticket booths at First Street and First Avenue N; Second Street at Fourth Avenue S; and Second Street at Fifth Avenue S.

For information: Call (727) 898-4639.

If you go

The races run on a 1.8-mile course on the waterfront streets of downtown St. Petersburg. Parking is available in downtown lots and garages; follow the instructional signs from Interstate 275. For a list of some downtown St. Petersburg restaurants, see May We Suggest on page 36W. Other area attractions are listed in the Diversions Calendar, which begins on page 28W.

Coming Friday

For a complete guide to the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, including a turn-by-turn analysis of the best spots to view the race and detailed parking instructions, see a special section Friday in the St. Petersburg Times.

[Last modified March 28, 2007, 11:32:52]