need advice on Talladega
 

I'm thinking of signing up for the Vetts 4 Vets at Talladega this coming May. Would like info from anyone who had been there for this event. How many days do I need there, is there a good place to stay close by, can you take a passenger along on the track, how fast do you really get to go, do you need a helmet, and anything else that would be helpfull. I'll be starting this trip from New Jersey and will stop at Bowling Green for a few days first to take in the Museum, Factory and the new track, Thanks in advance for any help.

I've attended everyone of them but the 1st one and enjoyed them all. I can answer all your questions...

1) I always arrive on Thursday and stay at the Hampton Inn in Pell City Alabama. Its only 15 minutes from the track and there's everything you need right around there as far as eating goes. If you prefer there is a Holiday Inn Express right next door. You need to book early because both feel fast.

2) Yes you can take passengers

3) You do not need helmets

4) As far as speeds go just take my word you'll have fun. We do not post speeds anymore because a few years ago this event almost went away because of that. This event is a great Fund Raiser for a great cause and not a race to see how fast you can go.

5) By arriving on Thursday you can get settled in early and enjoy the car show at Hendricks Chevrolet on Friday. I use to arrive on Friday and had to hurry around but getting there on Thursday eased that up.
The event on Saturday at the track is all day so you'll be pretty burnt out once it's over. I leave for home early Sunday.

6) There should be a thread started soon for just the Corvette Forum members to run together in their group. Most of the group has run together in the past take my word we have the best group to run in. The organizers will do their best to put us in the same group to run together.

Sounds like fun. I may have to get in on that.

I drove out from California to do this event last year. It is for a great cause and an absolute BLAST. If you have ever watched a Talladega race on TV you must do this. Forum members like SoSlow1 (Tim) help make it special. You will have fun. We also went to the Corvette Museum and Assembly Line and then drove to Charlotte to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Best trip ever! I would love to do it this year but it is looking like I won't be able to. (It was a 5,800 mile trip for us).

Sorry to hear Gary you won't be able to make it this year..Just a few from last year...

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IMG_5013.jpg


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IMG_5001.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IMG_4994.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IMG_5366.jpg


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IMG_5374.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...6/IMG_5805.jpg

I stayed in Annistan (spelling??), nice hotels, good eats. V4V is fun and being in the Talladega track is just so great. But, don't expect to be able to open it up. They regulate speed to about 70, 90 max, and many of the drivers aren't interested in spacing out to let you hit it. Having said that, there's plenty of great cars to see, and the day was fun. I did 20 laps.

It's Anniston, with an "o". You may have actually stayed in Oxford. It's the town that's right on I-20, and it's adjacent to Anniston with no separation. The Cracker Barrel there is a pretty good place to eat, and there are several hotels at the interchange. Not sure how far it is from Talladega, but it's not far.

Thank you all for the good advice. As usual, this forum is the best place to get information, hope to see some of you there.

Some of the most fun you will legally have with your car.

Yes Sir !...It is a Blast !
 

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...3e5d3df2f7.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...30f079aaf8.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...8e00e60ac4.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...aecf826b57.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...228251c0f1.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...4e201caa44.jpg

Yea, it was probably Oxford. Several good hotel chains & restaurants right at I-20 exit, about a 15 minute or so drive to Talladega track.
Oh, I got it up to 130 only once, but mostly only hiway speed. Nice shady pit garage.

Great shots. It was nice being able to park in the garages out of the sun.

Thanks ...And yes , It was smoking hot the two times i've been there. The garge was nice and provided some great photo ops...As we all know , Corvette owners are photo whores....lol

Signing up today!

Tim summed it up perfectly in post 2. This event is an absolute blast, organized and sponsored by great people. This will be my 4th time at Talladega and I have always stayed at the Hampton Inn or the Holiday Inn Express next door, both are in Pell city Al, both are around $100/night, both with a hot breakfast, both parking lots full of Corvettes. Ask for the vettes4vets rate at either one as they have both offered them in years past.

Here is the thread in the Southeast forum where forum menbers with all Vette generations chat. Kind of an "official vettes4vets" thread. Jump in!


https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593973167

Rock star parking at the Hampton! Holiday Inn Express in the background.


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2...pszirxbrwx.jpg

Man I wish I could go!!!