1st November 2018. Depart Orlando and head to Daytona International Speedway and overnight.
/Another perfect morning and we pack our gear and depart Grande Vista resort Orlando and make the short 75 minute drive to Daytona. Here we intend to do the 1.30pm tour of the World famous speedway.
Peita, Chris and the boys will meet us here at Grande Vista and we will drive to Daytona in convoy. Jeanette is now driving and enjoying it.
Another superb day with clear sky at 7.00am.
We awoke early enjoyed breakfast and methodically packed to packed to prepare to depart Orlando. Jeanette went to Walmart to exchange some tee shirts.
Checkout was at 10.00am and we did check out a little after that time paid our account. We have had a wonderful 6 days at Grande Vista here in Orlando.
The trip to Daytona Beach and Daytona International speedway took about 1 hour 20 minutes driving along I5 for some 30 miles of major road construction in Orlando. Jeanette drove the total journey today. We arrived at Daytona International Speedway at about 12.05pm in time for the earlier full tour scheduled for departure at 12.30pm.
We thoroughly enjoyed this comprehensive tour of the simply amazing Daytona racetrack. We toured a variety of area , drove on the track and were amazed by the banked turns of 31 degrees. The stadium and seating in the main straight has been increased to accommodate approximately 150,000 seated and an available attendance of 250,000 plus.
From here we crossed over and were allowed to exit the tram and walk at the corner where th3 banks are steep at 31 degrees. Quite amazing that they can travel at 170 miles per hour on those banked corners and 260 miles per hour on the straight.
We sat in the stands having used the escalators to ride up to level 3. Took many photos of all facets of the tour. Then visited the amazing museum of racing cars.
David and Chris purchased items from the shop featuring items associated with Daytona.
The photos are a great graphic descriptor of a wonderful tour. We all enjoyed it and the boys, Seb and Oliver in particular had a great time.
From here we went to lunch at the Olive Garden Restaurant where we all enjoyed a very good meal. Ken picked up the bill and we departed at 3.45pm. We then drove 20 minutes to our hotel here at Daytona Shores, the Hampton Inn by Hilton. Very comfortable and we are sharing 2 rooms 513 and 514. We have a view of the Atlantic Ocean. The ocean is rough and a change is forecast for tomorrow.
Just a great day.
Tomorrow we drive to Bluewater by Spinnaker at Hilton Head Island about a 4 hour drive. We all remain tired so early to bed this evening.
Our accommodation at Daytona Shores at the Hampton Inn by Hilton was comfortable and ideally served our needs.
Ken walked along th3 beach as did David a little later.
After the late lunch we decided not to eat anything other than some bars and fruit. In bed at approximately 9.30pm, a terrific day was had and Jeanette described the excitement of our Boys big and small at Daytona International Speedway. Really an outstanding tour of a great sporting venue.