Sebring - a few questions

[Chris24]

Hi Phil,

Not sure on plans yet and may have jumped the gun a bit, I may be leaving Sebring Wednesday night and staying in either a villa in Haines City or a hotel in Kissimmee with my mate Chris so that we are in the same place to set off from and at least half way there as you need to be there 3-4 hours before the launch to get a spot.

But I will have a better idea of my plans nearer the time. If its the villa though, there should be a two twin beds in the spare room that I will be staying in that night so thats always a possibility if you wanted to do that.

Will let you know some firmer details nearer the time.

[Matt Harper]

you need to be there 3-4 hours before the launch to get a spot.

This man is on crack. You won't get near the place 3-4 hours before a daytime launch.

[Doris]

If the weather is nice, you can see it from the track!

Hope you guys will get to see it, I arrived in orlando one day after the launch, that was two years ago!

Hey Roy... Is that the one that I saw with Rick, mark, and Julian?  It was awesome!      

Dx

[knetter]

If the weather is nice, you can see it from the track!

Hope you guys will get to see it, I arrived in orlando one day after the launch, that was two years ago!

Hey Roy... Is that the one that I saw with Rick, mark, and Julian?  It was awesome!      

Dx

  Yeah, that one! Good thing the week at Sebring more then made up for it, specially the tropicoma and the yo baby's, not to mention Sef's poison!

[Fisherman]

Travel booked, out from Manchester to Orlando Tuesday, back Monday. Will head towards Kissimmee on arrival as suggested, any recommendations for somewhere on the coast to stay on the Sunday night? Vero Beach, Cocoa Beach?

I take it rolling up on the Wednesday & buying tickets on the gate will be no problem?

[F-Troop Mom]

Your right, rolling up on Wed at the track should be no problem.  Just get your ticket at the gate.

As far as a hotel, there are SOOOOO many to choose from in that tourist area, you shouldn't have any problems.  If you do end up in Cocoa try and stop by Ron Jon's Surf Shop, lots of typical Florida stuff to bring home (or the track).

[Chris24]

Don't forget theres a shuttle launch from KSC at 1.34 pm on the Thursday 

[smokie]

Travel booked, out from Manchester to Orlando Tuesday, back Monday. Will head towards Kissimmee on arrival as suggested, any recommendations for somewhere on the coast to stay on the Sunday night? Vero Beach, Cocoa Beach?

I take it rolling up on the Wednesday & buying tickets on the gate will be no problem?

Advance purchase (pre 13 Feb I believe) saves you a few bucks (www.sebringraceway.com), both in face value and postage. Just ask for them to be left on the Will Call desk, which is part of the ticket office at the main entrance. ISTR they want to see ID (passport) before releasing them, but I've never had a problem with them.

[Fisherman]

How far up the coast would get us a decent view of the shuttle launch?

[Chris24]

Depends on your definition of decent. You will see it from Sebring but it will be a spec with a big vapour trail so to speak and you probably won't hear it.

We are going to watch from about 12 miles away which is the closest you can get without paying. At that distance you see alot more and hear it and hopefully feel the ground shake.

There are only 5 shuttle launches left so depends on if you really want to see and experience one. We do having never seen one so we are making the effort to go and watch it from as close as we can get.

Last opportunity so don't mind giving up most of thursday at Sebring for a special occassion. Should be back for the party's and night practice anyway on thursday night.

[Bob U]

We are going to watch from about 12 miles away which is the closest you can get without paying.

Surely not

[nopanic - neil]

We are going to watch from about 12 miles away which is the closest you can get without paying.

Surely not

Go and sit on Coco Beach, then after the money you saved, you can buy some stylish clothes from Ron Johns surf shop  

[Paddy_NL]

We are going to watch from about 12 miles away which is the closest you can get without paying.

Surely not

Go and sit on Coco Beach, then after the money you saved, you can buy some stylish clothes from Ron Johns surf shop  

About three miles without paying from what I understood from the Amazing Randy back in '07. Maybe mr. Harper knows better spots

[Chris24]

Closest spot to view a launch is 3.8 miles but thats the VIP area and no chance of getting in there unless you are NASA, Press or family etc.

Closest public area is on the NASA Causeway between 6 and 7 miles depending which end you are on. But that costs $56 and tickets sell out within minutes.

Next closest is KSC visitor centre about 8 miles away  and costs $38 but view is obstructed by the tree line until it clears them.

Then its either Titusville or the space park at Titusville which is 12 miles away or a spot that Matt Harper has told us about on Merrit Island, quieter location but also 12 miles away. Both of these are free to access and view from.

Then its Cocco Beach which is roughtly 14 miles from the launch pad.

[Chris24]

Yep, I have been doing my home work on this and consulting the locals (Matt) about it.