Kevin’s Last Minute Ten Tips for Oktoberfest Race Weekend

The 47th Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend is coming up this weekend (October 6-9) at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wisconsin. 
 
For those returning of coming for the first time, here are some tips and ideas to help make it a fun weekend.
 
Tip #1: Get the multi-day wristband.  If you are sitting in the stands or want to hang out in the pits all four days, getting the multi-day wristband will save you time in line and a few dollars as well.
 
Tip #2: Don’t leave your blankets in the stands after the races each night thinking they will be there the next day.  Why? Cause they won’t be there.  The track will not allow you to save your seats for the entire four days.  But, each morning when the grandstands officially opens, you can join in the famous “Running of the Blankets” to mark your seats for the racing action later that day.
 
Tip #3: Grab an official event guide and check out the activities that fans can do throughout the weekend.  Some things include: Dean’s Satellite Camper Challenge, Pet Costume Parade, Memorabilia show, and pumpkin coloring contest. 
 
Tip #4: Buy a 50/50 raffle ticket.  You are helping the ag society, who in turn helps make continuous improvements to the track/facility.  Winners have gone home with some good coin. 
 
Tip #5:  For those staying in the campground or come early to the track, there is always a hot breakfast for sale along the midway each morning.  Sunday will have the famous charity pancake breakfast in the exhibition hall.
 
Tip #6: Keep your eye out for two special food items are well known at Oktoberfest.  Those are the pork chop sandwiches and the Queen’s Anne apple.  The pork chop sandwich is an open butterfly, boneless sandwich cooked on an open grill.  The Queen’s Anne apple is a sliced apple topped with caramel and whipped cream.
 
Tip #7: Understand how the Dick Trickle 99 presented by JE Pistons works.  It is three 33-lap segments.  After each session, each driver will receive points.  One point for first, two points for second, three for third, etc.  The driver with the least amount of points at the end of the three segments is the winner, not necessarily the first car that crosses the line after three segments.  The lineup for each segment will vary. First segment, the field will start straight up by their qualifying times.  Second and third segment, lead lap cars with an invert of ten plus a draw.  Look for scoring sheets around the concession areas.
 
Tip #8: Hang around for the famous after race parties afterwards with live music on Friday and Saturday nights.  Best opportunity to talk with your famous drivers and other race fans.
 
Tip #9: Check out the 8th Annual Champion’s Re-Union on Sunday before the race at the hospitality chalet down near turns one and two.  You never know who will show up, it may be someone you cheered for growing up.
 
Tip #10: Follow and use @RaceOktoberfest on Twitter and Oktoberfest Race Weekend on Facebook.  Get the latest news from the weekend and all year long leading up to next year’s event. 
 
Bonus Tip: Have fun and make new friends.
 
Hope to see you this weekend.  See me in the tower…look up and wave! (With all five fingers please.)