September 2, 2013

Well, today was Indianapolis day.  We decided to take a tour of a Historic Place.  It was designated as such in 1975.

 

 Well, this place probably wasn't what you expected...but it is now a historic place.

 We took a grounds tour which included a visit to the Indy Hall of Fame, a ride on the racetrack...by bus, and a look at different places in the infield.

The "Brickyard" was the name given to the track after 3.2 million bricks were laid down in 2 months using around the clock shifts.  It was surfaced with bricks in 1909.

Today we found Grammie in several places including the Hall of Fame.  About 90 % of the many cars in the Hall of Fame are in the same shape, including tires, with which they finished the race.

The above car was used by the first female ever to lead a lap in the Indy 500....Danica

 A replica of the one used by Mario to win in 1969.

Parnelli winning in 1963

Richard Petty in a NASCAR type the first year they were raced at the Brickyard.

The first car ever to win an Indy 500...used in 1911.

We find Grammie again on the Brickyard section of the straightaway.  It is at the finish line.

Another view of the bricks looking across the track.

Tom standing in the middle of some winners spinout.

The flagman's nest occupied by 3 during the race...The flagman, the assistant...and the camera man.

A view of the final straightaway.

Looking past the start line towards turn 1.

Turn 2 out by the golf course.  Did you know that holes 7, 8, 9, and 10 are inside the track?

A view of the winners circle from the track.

Grammie is  ready to answer questions from the press room after getting the run around.

A view of one of the VIP rooms above Gasoline Alley.  All this can be yours for 12 hours per day for 17 days in August.  You and your Corporation can have up to 80 people for $65,000.

 Looking through Gasoline alley into the work area out back.  For $40 you can have access to this area during the race...but no seats for the race.

The Race Control room.  From here, all areas of the track can be monitored and scanned for problems.  As the story by the tour guide went, if a watch was lost on the track, the cameras could read the second hand on the watch.

Tom waiting his turn on the 7th tee.  Parred this one.

Chipping up on the 8th hole.  Par again.

Couldn't help but taking a pic with a Brickyard flag.

Tom waiting for his turn to put.  Made birdie.

 In the afternoon, we finally got the camera down to the Canal area,

 Tourists (unknown) enjoying the ride.

Paddle boats, kayaks, and an assortment of bikes are available to use in the 3 mile canal area.

Pieces of the twin towers places here as part of a 911 memorial.

Hope you enjoyed looking today.  Tomorrow we are going to visit the State Capitol building.