I've been to DD once already. The thing to do is either pay the $5 to park in the Love's gas station parking lot, or tell the parking attendants you're going to Houligans to eat and park in there. Actually, Love's would be 2nd in the line up as the turn off for Houligan's is adjacent/just before Love's. A 3rd choice is to go in at the light like you'd have to to go to Love's, but then go on back to where they'll direct you to the nosebleed section, but then say you are getting work done at JC's or Kuryakin and go into the vendor area and park there. They weren't enforcing all that when I was in, but that doesn't mean they won't when it gets really busy.
I really only go to DD if I get there early, like by 10am. Park in Houligan's or Love's like I said above, then get out within a reasonable time. If you guys want to meet up, I'd suggest picking a place like the bar @ Houligan's, or maybe the Chevrolet display in the first row of vendors behind Houligan's and hope everyone is prompt! Maybe tie on some sort of gay bandanna to ID each other - as if no pirate gear isn't ID enough!
The track (aka Daytona International Speedway) isn't all that bad to get in to. The set up is different this yr with everything being up front. This is a result of the new "Daytona Rising" construction project which is now complete or nearly so. There is a place to turn in just after the Cracker Barrel restaurant, but you can also go down and turn in by the tunnel entrance to the infield, then turn back to your right and go through the Speedway museum parking lot (where Dale Earnhardt statue is) and work your way back. It may even be easier that way depending on traffic on Speedway and bike/pedestrian traffic at the track. The Yamaha tent is nearer to the museum than Cracker Barrel (farther east). Many of the normal entrances are blocked off or only for the demo bikes.
Have fun and don't get any coleslaw or wrestling oil in your ear! PM if you want and I'll shoot you my cell #. I do day trips, so leave early and home by 4 or so. I don't like being up there after dark. I live about an hour south of Main St or DD. For Main St I have to go up US1; DD is all highway, but farther away, so time is about the same. If anyone needs anything, let me know. I have a really messy but fairly well equipped shop at my house.
I also have an old tired truck with a ramp and tie downs if needed. I already rescued some dirt dog biker on a well thrased '87 HD that was broke down on US 1 by where I live. My wife spotted him on her way home from work, so I went out to see if I could help, and ended up taking him & bike to Cabbage Patch where he was camping with his friends. His friends wouldn't come because they were all hammered up pretty good. It was an interesting ride to say the least. I don't like to see anyone stranded if there's some way I can help regardless of what they ride.
