I just learned about this less than a week away from the event. I feel like a kid that was just told that Christmas is going to be canceled. I'm really disappointed there was no notification from the ticket office though I'm not surprised. My ticket currently consist of infield and garage plus infield, parking nothing more. Now I have to see about any kind of credits I should be receiving. Very sad. This would've been our 6th year in a row. I seriously doubt we will return after this year.
Yeah, it's extremely frustrating that this post back in June was our only way to communicate with past ticket holders. The track controls the list of contact info, but said they'd be notifying you all.
I'm accepting this year, but just canceled for 2025 and told Daytona ticket office why - no GRM, no thanks. Been attending since 2010.
Thanks for the current effort Tom and previous experiences!
If they kick out the tent campers I'll have to cancel. This has been my bday trip for the last 9 years. Really sad I only did the midnight tour last year, but maybe it's only for this year since Brad pitts movie crew has apparently taken over that area.
Hoppps said:If they kick out the tent campers I'll have to cancel. This has been my bday trip for the last 9 years. Really sad I only did the midnight tour last year, but maybe it's only for this year since Brad pitts movie crew has apparently taken over that area.
I heard the same thing. I initially assumed the track felt like they could get more revenue from RVs parking there. But then I heard that the area has been taken over by the film crew for his F1 movie. I also received this map from Hagerty - it shows "Apex" in the former GRM spot.
Idk if that's a recent photo or not....but where's the Ferris wheel?
edit: jk I think I see it, just hard to see in the photo since it's pretty thin
Perhaps on a more positive note, I'm excited for this weekend. The weather looks surprisingly nice and I'm itching to shoot as much as possible with my film cameras.
See you all there!
This looks like a warm year. Low Saturday night predicted 63.
I can tell from experience the best way to take in the race is to be on a pit crew. LOL Second best is to be a corner worker. All that said it is a great spectator event if you do a bit of prep.
Be prepared to walk... a lot. Shoes are the number one decision. A good backpack is important so you can have fluids, snacks, windbreaker, sunscreen, shades, TP, proper hat, yadda, yadda, yadda. A small towel or blanket can make sitting on aluminum bleachers a lot more comfy.
There are many viewing areas and each has its own unique perspective. I like to try to take them all in once in the day, and once in the night. Don't avoid the Crashcar grandstands. It is a great place to sit down, rest, and take in the whole view. The exit of the International hairpin just after dawn is a favorite of mine because if you are photographing the sun shines into the windshields and you can actually see the drivers.
If you are not a total fanatic, leave the facility to get good meals, and even sleep. Sunday after noon is a lot more fun if you aren't totally exhausted.
A lot of fun can be had by striking up conversations with other folks around the infield. I carry cash. Many campers overstock the fluids they haul in. I offer to pay for drinks and it saves me hauling a lot of weight around. YMMV
If you want to know what's going on with the race, watch it on TV. But, you can follow it enough on your phone to have some idea. At 3 am, you really won't care... just take in the scene.
Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) said:This looks like a warm year. Low Saturday night predicted 63.
I can tell from experience the best way to take in the race is to be on a pit crew. LOL Second best is to be a corner worker. All that said it is a great spectator event if you do a bit of prep.
Be prepared to walk... a lot. Shoes are the number one decision. A good backpack is important so you can have fluids, snacks, windbreaker, sunscreen, shades, TP, proper hat, yadda, yadda, yadda. A small towel or blanket can make sitting on aluminum bleachers a lot more comfy.
There are many viewing areas and each has its own unique perspective. I like to try to take them all in once in the day, and once in the night. Don't avoid the Crashcar grandstands. It is a great place to sit down, rest, and take in the whole view. The exit of the International hairpin just after dawn is a favorite of mine because if you are photographing the sun shines into the windshields and you can actually see the drivers.
If you are not a total fanatic, leave the facility to get good meals, and even sleep. Sunday after noon is a lot more fun if you aren't totally exhausted.
A lot of fun can be had by striking up conversations with other folks around the infield. I carry cash. Many campers overstock the fluids they haul in. I offer to pay for drinks and it saves me hauling a lot of weight around. YMMV
If you want to know what's going on with the race, watch it on TV. But, you can follow it enough on your phone to have some idea. At 3 am, you really won't care... just take in the scene.
Interesting.
That is my insights for 24 hour champcar races. Lots of similarities apparently.
I would love to attend, but don't have tickets or a place to stay. Maybe I'll cannonball it and sleep in my truck.
wvumtnbkr said:Interesting.
That is my insights for 24 hour champcar races. Lots of similarities apparently.
I would love to attend, but don't have tickets or a place to stay. Maybe I'll cannonball it and sleep in my truck.
I have friends with extra tickets they're looking to sell...
Found the reference to the Brad Pitt filming. According to Hagerty:
Brad Pitt’s F1 Movie Will Be Filming at Daytona’s Rolex 24
17 January 2024
Jean-Francois Monier/AFP via Getty Images
The as-yet-untitled Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt will be filming at the IMSA Roar Before the 24 this weekend at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida and at the Rolex 24 itself, the following weekend. An Orlando television station reported seeing Pitt on Monday night near the track. Those involved with filming have had to sign confidentiality agreements, so most of the information about the film is hearsay.
Here’s what we know: The movie, which is being co-produced by Sir Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 driver, and led by Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski, has Pitt, 60, playing a race driver Sonny Hayes. Pitt said in an interview with Sky Sports at the British Grand Prix: “He has a horrible crash, kind of craps out and disappears and is racing in other disciplines … His friend, played by Javier Bardem, is a team owner. They’re a last-place team, 21, 22 on the grid. They’ve never scored a point. They have a young phenom played by Damson Idris. He brings me in as a kind of Hail Mary, and hijinks ensue.”
The movie already has filmed at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and at the Formula 1 race in Las Vegas, using a Carlin Formula 2 car. “I’m a little giddy right now, I’ve got to say,” Pitt told Sky Sports. “It’s great to be here. Having such a laugh, time of my life.”
So what is a team filming a Formula 1 movie doing at a sports car race? Presumably, capturing footage for the “other discipline” that Pitt talked about in the interview. Pitt’s character may be racing at Daytona, possibly alongside the rookie driver played by Idris, whose character’s name is Joshua Pearce. Pitt said in the Sky Sports interview that his character raced at Daytona, as well as in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Jerry Bruckheimer, 80, is the lead producer. He’s responsible for a long line of films including Days of Thunder, Flashdance, Top Gun, The Rock, Crimson Tide, Con Air, Armageddon, Enemy of the State, Black Hawk Down, Pearl Harbor, as well as the Beverly Hills Cop, Bad Boys, Pirates of the Caribbean, and National Treasure franchises.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal confirmed that the movie will be shooting at a surf shop in Daytona Beach and at a restaurant in New Smyrna Beach, in between the Roar and the Rolex 24 weekend, which is January 26–28.
2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona Brandan Gillogly
Racer magazine reports that the film has struck an agreement with an actual race-car team competing in the GT Daytona class. Their car will carry the livery, and presumably cameras, for the film crew. The car is expected to mix in with other cars during the practice sessions of the Roar, and possibly even during the race itself.
In an interview, Lewis Hamilton said the movie, which may or may not be called Apex, is likely to appear in 2025.
“It will be as authentic as we can get it,” Pitt, who has raced motorcycles, told Sky Sports. “As a civilian, I had no idea what it takes to be a driver.”
In reply to Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) :
Yup, a good plan of attack.
Look for me up in the grandstands a bit this weekend: comfy chairs, killer view, lots of toilets.
I'm changing my tune about this movie ordeal - of course I'd still love to have GRM there, but if I want this sport to grow than a movie like this that actually goes to the races and put money and effort into making it realistic (I hope) is a good thing.
Also, a cool spot to watch is the stands by nascar 2. You gotta walk past a bunch of fancy rv's, but watching the cars pass on the banks is always cool.
And make sure you have a short email address so you can quickly fill out forms to get free swag! My t-shirt arsenal is literally free shirts from the last 9 years of Rolex lol.
It's almost hard to believe, but we just got the motorhome parked in Geico West. If you're down here and feeling thirsty, you can stop by and share a little bourbon!
I also have a tent and an infield car camping spot in theory, and we plan to use it for our infield "base", so if you're looking for a place to crash, I might be able to hook you up.
I just found out a film production company is occupying that space for an upcoming F1 movie featuring Brad Pitt. Is there a chance the GRM Experience could return next year?
stevette said:I just found out a film production company is occupying that space for an upcoming F1 movie featuring Brad Pitt. Is there a chance the GRM Experience could return next year?
Don't hold your breath.
The only reason Apex is there is because they are paying more than the RV renters would be. Plus, it works out as a nice transition year, since none of them has renewal rights yet.
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