I attended a single trackday last year at Autobahn, so have not had much experience with the facilities. For this year I am hoping to attend quite a few more events. My first one is Memorial Day weekend where I am signed up for all three days. Rather than pack my stuff up every night and drive home (I live just 30 miles away), I am planning to camp overnight Fri/Sat/Sun. Last time I parked on the grass facing the south course - and this worked very well with being able to drive the truck/trailer through as we pulled out (I have no experience backing up with a trailer). I think I enjoyed being on the grass more than I would being on the tarmac itself. I have a tent that suspends from my canopy in which I will be camping. I may have family members camping out with me as well but not likely (wimps). Is there a more optimal area to park if you're going to camp? (showers, restrooms, etc.) Is there a reason to prefer tarmac to grass? Is the $5 gate entrance fee per day? If you pay for camping is the $5 fee in the camping fee (for one person at least)? Is the ~$30 camping fee for the weekend or just one night? Anything else a camper at ACC ought to know? (I have tent, coolers, yamaha generator, positive can-do-attitude, etc. ;-) I know that the cafe there is open for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, can you order delivery to front gate? (I am speaking of reasonable hours like 5-8pm). I plan to grill out if I have a group but, if just me, I wanted to know my options. Also, when do gates close each evening? I'll have a second bike, street-ready, that I could use to ride out and pick something up if need be. Thanks for all advice.
When I camp at ACC, I used to pitch my tent in the grass area between the two paddock roads. Last time I went, however, I had a new coleman pop-up tent, and just threw it up under my canopy. Not sure how well this would work if four letter words were in the forecast. I would think the drainage on the grass would be better than on the tarmac, you're more likely to have rivers flowing through since it can't soak into the ground. I'll accept counterpoints from other campers that prefer the tarmac, however. Remember to glare at anyone that points their RV/camper generator exhaust at your campsite. You're not going to get very close to showers/restrooms, most of the closer paddock space is reserved for staff and their RVs, but IIRC there is a portapotty or five they throw out for the long weekends so you don't have to walk as far. The camping fee is for the weekend. It's basically an overnight parking pass for your car. The gate fee isn't included, you still need to pay for your wristbands, per day. Food delivery to the gate isn't a problem. Gates are open til 10PM to come in, but you may need to page the guard if he's on patrol. You can exit at any time, you just won't get back in after 10.
That's something I had not thought about: if you're on the tarmac, surrounded on three sides (and two corners) by others then I guess the only way to point the generator is out towards the road. On the grass side bordering the southern portion of the track I could just put my generator in front of my truck (furthest from the road and my canopy) and just run a long power cord to the canopy tent and that way the sound and exhaust were removed from my canopy area (but would not do this if others were camping back there). Any restrooms accessible at the cafe? Where are the showers? How clean are they? Communal? (my wife will want to know if she camps over) w00t! So, if I pull in, untether my trailer and leave everything but drive home in my car, I still need to pay for camping to leave my gear there overnight? (not a problem, just clarifying) I live 30 miles away and there is something to be said for sleeping in your own bed in terms of recuperating most effectively overnight. I doubt I would do this but worth knowing if I can. 30 miles doesn't seem like much but ends up being an hour time-wise and, after a long day of riding, it would be a strange ride home. The expression "fugue state" comes to mind. For Memorial Day weekend I will be camping - have to give it a try at least once so I can then decide in the future with full knowledge. Thank you for your advice.
No one will complain about generator noise too much during the day, but some rigs have AC and will run their generators all night. Mostly just an issue if you camp on the tarmac. Cafe restrooms are open until the cafe closes, usually around 5:30-6PM, IIRC Showers are individual stalls in gendered restrooms in the south tower, and in individual stalls in unisex area in north tower. Each stall in the north tower does have a locking door other than the shower door. 2 stalls in the north timing tower, 2 stalls per gender in the south timing tower (I would assume. I haven't been in the women's restroom). They are clean (this is a country club, remember?) If you aren't sleeping there, you do not need to pay a camping fee. Most people leave their canopies and bikes, and just tie everything down for the night / remove canopy covers if it's windy. I camp because I'm 60 minutes away, and I'd spend at LEAST twice to three times the camping fee driving my POV back and forth on a 3 day weekend. I *HAVE* forgotten to get a camping pass one time, and while I didn't get "caught", I did feel bad.