DOVER - PART ONE

I've decided to post my thoughts on Dover now, before the fall race, in the hopes that you will think it sounds like so much fun you want to plan your trip now!

Hubby has been going to the Dover races for probably 15 years or more.  He used to go with a couple of buddies, but then his buddies got old.  Actually, they are the same age as us but they act like a bunch of old men.  So when he lost his race partners I said I would go along, just so he wouldn't miss out.  Well, one trip turned into two turned into the whole weekend ....  you get the idea.  Now I actually look forward to our Dover trip as much as he does!!

Dover is a unique track in where it is located.  Most of the tracks we have been to are in the middle of nowhere.  And by nowhere, I mean nowhere!  You drive miles and miles of rural lands and then BOOM, there's the track.  Well, not Dover.  This track is along a four-lane highway adjacent to a mall, across the highway from Delaware State University, and on the same property as Dover Downs racetrack and casino.  It is a few miles from Dover Air Force base where the large cargo planes fly to and from.  It's also about an hour or so from Rehoboth Beach, a quaint little beach town on the Atlantic Ocean.  So this is a great area to visit any time, but race weekend is icing on the cake!!

If you plan to camp, there are plenty of options.  Lots of the stores in the area will rent you a camping space for the weekend - stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.  The Dover Mall, which is adjacent to the track and an easy walk to it, also rents out part of its parking lot for campers.  We have stayed here and it is nice because it is level and paved.  We now camp on track property where it is grass.  I was a little leary of camping at the track just because I was afraid it would be a 24-hour party.  And while there is certainly a lot of partying going on, no one gets out of hand.  Everyone just has a fun time with lots of cornhole tournaments taking place.  Quiet hours begin at 11 p.m. and everyone respects that.  Security patrols on a regular basis and we have had no issues.  There are some lots where we have heard horror stories about the partying so if you call the track to make a camping reservation, be sure to tell them what type of camping you are looking for.  We like the track lot because it is easiest getting out on Sunday night after the race is over. 

We go on Thursday evening for the hauler parade, which is quite entertaining!  This is when all the big shiny tractor trailers that haul the race cars and their mobile garages come to town.  They drive through the streets of town and then down the main road to the racetrack.  Chairs line both sides of the road and little kids (and even some big kids) pump their arms to the get the trucks to blow their horns.  They drive into the track and park for the weekend.  Last year we got to see the entire operation and it was really interesting to see how the weekend unfolds from a logistics standpoint.

 

 

Some of the food concessions outside the track are open so it is a nice walk to get a drink, but I wouldn't plan on eating there.  It's just a little unpredictable on Thursday evening.

Tomorrow I will post about the races and our tickets.  Just a word of warning .... I am a princess at this race ;-)