Posts
270
Joined
12/18/2011
Location
Dayton, OH
US
Just curious what everyone, who attended the race thought about it ? the layout is cool from a racer standpoint. But as a spectator did anyone find it a little congested ? it seemed like only two or three main areas to view. anywhere else besides those places were nothing special and far away from the action. Just seemed a little harder to get close to the track in a lot of places. I watched/stood just past the covered bridge on the camp ground side, as to avoid the huge crowds in the two main areas. It’s also not really worth the hike up to the top area anymore. Not much to see up there and it had tons of wasted space with no people. I dunno it was OK and I’m not trying to whine TOO much. But maybe by next year they will have it dialed in a little better. Weather was awesome and the racing was awesome and the crowd seemed HUGE this year. Had a blast over all. Just curious what everyone else thought ?
Curious what you thought of the overall infrastructure. They showed a some nice aerial shots of the entire facility and it just looked awesome to me. How was the parking? Getting in and out? Concessions?
The Shop
Washougal is without a doubt the best track on the circuit for viewing. You can sit for a while on the hillside, or wander and see these guys up close and personal. It's awesome...
I thought Ironman was decent, but could be better for spectators. Lots of areas that could/should be accessible for spectators that are pretty cordoned-off. Cool track though...
i hope they run the event for years to come. they seem to be putting in as much effort as anyone in improving the experience.
But i will agree the godzilla jump wasn't anything great to view with where you can stand at. But just behind the viewing area, you could watch the opposite side of them coming over the skyscraper jump and go through the two corners and up the hill toward the covered bridge, with plenty of shade to stand in it was a nice area to be at.
All in all i thought they did a great job!
I thought the new Ironman layout was very good, and certainly better for spectators, and a better and safer start. We had some really good racing (and thankfully, finally, good weather at the Ironman).
DC
Racer X
As a racer having at least 2-3 tracks a year make good solid changes like that is ideal. It’s obviously hard to replicate and nail each time without screwing up but was very cool to see and I’m sure the riders enjoyed it.
Also, this was was my first year at high point and that track's viewing is hard to beat.
Pit Row
One thing I will say is that the crowd, compared to Red Bud is very subdued. Ironman spectators are very quite and polite compared to the drunken party that is Red Bud. I appreciated the lack of drunken assholes screaming every 5 seconds. But I did miss the crowds screaming for the racers and the enthusiasm that Red Bud has that Ironman doesn't seem to have.
I will go again next year, it's a nice venue good food booths and easy access and the racing was epic.
1. Drove 7 hours from GA and parked in 3 minutes at 8:30 am. My third time here.
2. Walked in for wrist bands at $40 each in 2 minutes.
3. Walked to track area in 3 minutes.
4. Best viewing track in last 40 years.
5. Best 30 food vendors I have experienced.
6. Stayed through title ceremony and was out of facility in 10 minutes. Troopers had their shit together.
7. 12 of us attended from age 1 to 60.
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