EVERY TICKET IS A PIT PASS AT GLEN HELEN: You Read That Right; If You Have A Ticket To Get In the Gate, You Have a Pit Pass; Free Of Charge
12 EVERY TICKET IS PIT PASS AT GLEN HELEN: YOU READ THAT RIGHT; IF YOU HAVE A TICKET TO GET IN THE GATE YOU HAVE A PIT PASS;
If you go back and read "Jody's Glen Helen Diary" at the top of this site, you will notice that he describes how Glen Helen promoter, Dr. Bud Feldkamp, wanted to give every spectator (man, woman and child) a free pit pass for the May 23 National Championship opener. Additionally, Dr. Bud wanted the pits open to fans from dawn to dusk. Bud felt that one of the big draws of professional racing, be it NHRA, NASCAR or Formula 1, is the machinery and the behind-the-scenes drama. He wanted the fans to be more involved with the heart of the sport.
Unfortunately, the powers-that-be refused to allow Glen Helen's "Open Pit" idea to happen (even though it wouldn't cost them any money. Glen Helen was willing to give up the income from selling pit passes and pay for any extra security in the pits). The answer was still no.
Luckily, promoter Bud Feldkamp is not a man who is easily discouraged. So, when the AMA (MXSports/DMG/NPG) told him that he could sell pit passes to the fans for the hours of 9:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday, Bud decided that every ticket to the race would become a pit pass. No extra charge, your ticket to get in the gates is a ticket to get in the pits.
So, if you are going to the Glen Helen 250/450 National, you can walk right into the pits. No guards. No frisking. No extra ticket require. No money changing hands. Go in, enjoy yourself and shoot all the snapshots you want of the bikes and riders.
And, if you see Dr. Bud Feldkamp, thank him because he fought for the fans.
If you are going to any of the other 11 AMA National, you will have to check with them about the possibility of free pit passes (Hangtown offers a early entry pit pass with their Saturday tickets. Go to www.hangtownracing.com for more info).
