Indy Bench Racing Weekend 2014 

Brrrrr. What a winter.  It's time to start thinking about racing to carry us into spring. As promised, Bench Racing Weekend 2014 is here and we are pleased to make this site available to help you register for this years event. We continue the 30 plus year heritage and add some enhancements. This year there are two events that you can register to attend:

First Event: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tour - this event will include an IMS Guided Tour, sometimes known as "Behind the Scenes Tour".  But IMS has added features to make our event more interesting. The Guided Tour includes; Media Center, timing & scoring, Victory Podium, Gasoline Alley Suite, and Yard of Bricks photo op.  IMS has added the following features not available on the standard tour;  Pagoda upper floors tour,Pace Car garage w/Pace Cars, and a bus tour of the new Indycar Grand Prix road course. We will covene following this to the 4th floor Media Center where Kevin Forbes, IMS Director of Engineering will discuss changes to the facility.  Attendees should plan to drive to the IMS Media Center (next to the Pagoda) to arrive between 8:30AM and 8:45AM.  The Speedway will have signs to show the way.

Lunch will be on your own as you return to the Crowne Plaza after the IMS Tour.  May we suggest four great restaurants on Main Street;  Charlie Browns with their fantastic racing memoriabilia, Lino's Cafe (inside Dallara), Dawson's on Main or Bourbon & Barbeque. Of course the Crowne Plaza restaurant would be happy to see you for lunch as well.

Second Event: Bench Racing Weekend Banquet and related activities.

*Updated* We are pleased to announce that Johnny Parsons has been added to our agenda. He will be in the hospitality suite from 2PM to 4PM to share memories and experiences. As a result, Bench Racing Weekend will now have two areas in which to gather and discuss. The agenda on Saturday now looks like this:

• Bench Racing Area A (2PM to 4PM) – Bob McConnell will feature a roadster to be announced.   We will also feature a 1980 Lightning Cosworth that was owned by Lindsay Hopkins, built by Facar and driven by Gary Bettenhausen.  It is in "pre restoration condition". Also featured will be memoriabilia and things of interest.
• Bench Racing Area B (2PM to 4PM) – join Johnny Parsons for lively bench racing discussion.
• Reception (6PM) – cash bar
• Banquet (7:15PM) – the banquet will offer a more robust menu.
• Guest Interview (8:15PM) – the featured guest is Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee and Indy 500 driver Paul Goldsmith who will be interviewed by Bob Jenkins and Robin Miller.
• Movies – (11AM to closing) Doak Ewing will offer more interesting movies, most of which are not readily available in the marketplace 

Hotels: We are pleased that Crowne Plaza has once again held the line on hotel pricing at $94 per night (plus taxes). You can make your hotel reservations by calling 317-244-6861  and asking to reserve your room with the "Bench Racing" group rate. We ask if at all possible that you choose Crowne Plaza as your  hotel to be sure that Bench Racing Weekend 2014 achieves its contracted room-night committment to Crowne Plaza. 

Hotel DEADLINE is March 5th on a first come first serve basis. Registration DEADLINE is March 7th.

If you need transportation to IMS from Crowne Plaza, please answer yes to that question on the Registration Form. We can help arrange car pooling as needed.

 

Register Now!