The Red Bull race, althought cancelled early due to windy weather would be worth a full 5 stars…read more Unfortunately, the venue and Motor Speedway management of the event was subpar.
Four of us purchased Club House seats to the Vegas Red Bull Air Races. We were all excited that our $350 tickets would provide a pleasant, upscale viewing experience. Not so. First of all, communication about the tickets was poor. After several emails back and forth, my husband was told he could pick the tickets up at "Will Call" if he was worried about getting them on time. Really? Can you just mail them on time?
The website gave very little information about the race schedule, side acts, map of the venue, etc. The signage at the track was poor. When we asked for directions, one attendant asked us to see our map and then complained that he could "hardly read it." He then pointed us in the general direction. Another attendant said he "had no idea where Lot 4" was located, but then remembered "Hey, I"M LOT 4. ITS RIGHT OVER THERE!!"
We had to pass through security on our way in. I had an umbrella to use for my walk from the parking lot and was told I had to put it away. I put it in my purse. My purse was checked at the next point, and the guard there told me he would have to "confiscate" my umbrella. I asked him if I could claim it on my way out and he said (flatly), "Nope, I'll be gone by then." He then pushed it rudely towards my husband and said "you can can take it to the car or I can confiscate it now." My husband waliked it to the car and had to make his way through the line again.
Once parked, we made our way to the Club House seats, looking forward to the comfortable, air conditioned view. Upon entering, we were told our seats were outside in full sun on the 90+ degree day! We were told we could sit inside the Club House Hospitality Room, which was crowded, standing room only. In fact, 90% of the race attendees of all ticket types were huddled under the overhang in the only shade to be found. We were quick enough to nab a table as another group got up to walk around. The view from the table was obstructed, but better than sitting in full sun.
The attendants in the hospitality room were useless. We were given only two programs when we entered, so I returned to the desk to ask for another only to find out they had run out of copies. This was at 11:00 a.m. on the first day! The wifi was not working for anyone in the room. When I told this to the hospitality desk, the young lady responded, "Oh, really. I don't have anything to do about that."
I have no complaints about the food served in the Hospitality Room. Very little for me as a vegetarian, but I expected that at this venue and was ready to purchase food. Unfortunately, there were very few choices available. The food trucks there were "carnival" type funnel cakes, etc.
I didn't have any wine, but the member of my party who did said the white wine was pretty bad.
My husband was hoping for some jet flyby's or other exciting side acts. The acrobatic air show (helicopter and plane) were great. The numerous motorcyle acts were not very interesting and very hard to see.
By the second day, we had a strategy to get there super early and find better seats by the window. We were there 20 minutes before opening and were met with a long line of folks waiting. The lined moved quickly at the time for opening and the two guys in our group hustled to get good seats. We were lucky enough to get the last four spaces available by the window. I'm not sure how so many others got in so quickly.
The race itself was thrilling, but unfortunately was cancelled early due to windy weather on Day 2.