Tailgating: Sonoma

Some race fans don't care for road courses, but you can count me among those who do. I like road-course racing because it's a change from the weekly grind of racing on ovals. They turn left and right. They brake and shift gears. They go uphill and downhill. They pit the car on the opposite side than they usually do. See -- road courses are different!

Before you head out to Sonoma, here are some things you should know:

Getting there

From Alameda and Contra Costa Counties: Take I-580 W to I-80 E to I-580 W again, toward the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. Once over bridge, take Hwy 101 N. Take Hwy 37 eastbound, then left at Hwy 121. The track is ¼ mile up on the left.

From L.A., Fresno and Stockton areas: Take I-580 W through Dublin and Castro Valley into Oakland where I-580 will merge with 80 E. Follow to the I-580 Wexit for the Richmond/San Rafael bridge towards Hwy 101. Proceed north on 101 to the Hwy 37 junction. Take Hwy 37 eastbound, then left at Hwy 121. The track is ¼ mile up on the left.

From Reno, Sacramento and Fairfield areas: Take I-80 W from Sacramento to Vallejo. Take Hwy 37 W towards Novato and Sonoma. Take right at Hwy 121. The track is ¼ mile up on the left.

From San Francisco: Cross Golden Gate Bridge to Hwy 101 N. Take Hwy 37 E toward Vallejo. Left at Hwy 121.The track is ¼ mile up on the left.

From Ukiah, Santa Rosa and Petaluma areas: Take Hwy 101 S to the Hwy 116 E exit in Petaluma. Follow Hwy 116 S. Left at Hwy 37 E. Left at Hwy 121. The track is ¼ mile up on the left.

What to bring

• No alcohol may be brought into the facility. Beer is available for purchase at several locations throughout the raceway.

• Bags/backpacks -- All bags entering the raceway are subject to search. Bags/backpacks larger than 15" x 15" x 15" are not permitted in any seating area.

• Coolers may be brought into the facility. No cooler larger than 15" x 15" x 15" is permitted in any seating area. Coolers larger than 15" x 15" x 15" are permitted in camping/parking areas only.

• Smoking is not permitted in any seating area.

Parking and camping

No matter if you decide to stay at a private campground or a speedway facility, camping is the best option at Infineon if you do not want to sit in traffic.

If staying at a private campground, ask about driving time when you call. One place in Napa may be only 16 miles from the track, but another is 46 miles. There are mountains and lots of small towns to drive through, so driving time will vary.

Speedway Camping and Parking: The Trackside RV Terraces are located on the west side of the raceway overlooking Turns 3 and 4 on the road course. Rows A and B offer views of nearly 80 percent of the raceway, while Rows C through G put you in close proximity to terrace seats and concessions.

Located across Hwy 121 just behind Turns 7 through 9 on the road course, the 50 Acres Campground provides easy access in and out of the facility.

Cougar Mountain Campground is located in Lot 6 west of the raceway with views of the Bay and San Francisco. Cougar Mountain Campground is your quieter alternative to the 50 Acre Campground. Shuttle stops are located just across from the campground for easy access to the race track and seating areas. Spaces are sold first come, first served, and you are parked in the order you arrive.

The all new El Monte Carousel Infield Campground is surrounded by racing. Views of the track in the campground are limited, but all raceway amenities are easily accessible. Only self-contained RVs are allowed.

The Turn 8 Trackside RV Terraces bring the racing right to the front door of your RV. Located between Turns 7 and 9 on the road course, the Turn 8 RV spaces put you within 50 yards of the racers. Watch them as they fight for position through the bottleneck at Turn 7 and power through the esses of Turns 8 and 9.