2013 TCL Grand Prix Picture Story

 

 Another fun filled event at Rapids International Raceway is the TCL Grand Prix. Presented here are some unique views of the event.
All photos are by myself.

A view from above the pit garages and as guests can dine at Kams Restaurant and then walk to the roof and watch the race. Notice the blur of the cars going past through the Goodyear Carousel Turn behind the Porsche dealership.

In these troubling times the folks at Rapids take their security very seriously. From atop the roof of the museum, a sniper team always scans the crowd for any sign of someone who wants to complete a terrorist mission. Sometimes the snipers are from the famed FBI Hostage Rescue Team, Delta Force, or Seal Team 3. Where they come from is a secret on race day. Everyone knows about the sniper team on the roof of the museum. They don't know the locations of the other teams. The soldiers pictured here are intentionally blurred so as to not identify them or their service branch.

A shot of pitlane from on top of the tunnel that is over the pit exit.

Caturine Pond is not a very popular attraction next to the track. Usually dry, it sometimes springs up. It is stinky and track officials are debating how to handle the situation.

Ferrari hasn't raced in the Indyslotcar series for 12 years. Rapids is the team's test track. That and the nostalgia for that team in this series history fuel souvenir sales to this day.

 Fans can still enjoy the 1950's diner motif in some areas

 The US Army's 24th Armored division is stationed near the town and every event they bring out vehicles like this M1 tank and two versions of the M113. Two hours after the grand prix a tank always fires a live artillery round into a nearby hillside as a signal that the all the grand prix events are over and people should clear the racetrack so it can be cleaned and returned to normal vehicle traffic.

 Looking down one of the streets. If you look past the army display you'll notice the ambulances in their hospital parking bays. 

There are rides for the kids.

 A look at the Madderom firehouse with a damaged car on top. The firehouse was named after Everet Kamikawa's longtime childhood friend Brian and his dad Garrett, who donated many of the buildings now built in the town.

 Dan Gary Gerald and Lil Chris Economacki along with a young fan behind the camera scenes.

A view of the Indycar victory lane from a hill overlooking the tunnel, where the previous pit lane shot was taken. If you look carefully you can see winner John Wiedemann waving to the crowd.

People from all around are entertained as Gandolf makes an appearance to promote the movie "The Hobbit."

Winner John Wiedemann throwing cash to the fans off of the victory rostrum.

Until Next Time...It's Not Bad Being In the Pits!

Steve The Wrench Ratchett