Round Up at the Car Club Corral

I was rather puzzled when first viewing the animated map of the Baltimore Grand Prix.  I noted there was something called a paddock in Lot B here at Camden Yards and,  immediately next to it in Lot C, a corral.

To the uninitiated, it sounded more like a layout at the Preakness (or the Ponderosa.)  But now that details of the American Le Mans Series part of the Labor Day extravaganza are coming out, I better understand why Camden Yards will be the center of so much of the Grand Prix action.

The American Le Mans Series involves cars made by various manufacturers, such as Porsche, Corvette, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mazda, and Acura.

These brands have their devotees -- many of whom participate in road course driving themselves.  As has been noted previously in this blog, road course driving is exceedingly popular in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region.  A number of our regional stadiums are used for these amateur meets.

Other events -- such as the Polish Mountain Hill Climb sponsored by the National Road Autosport Club in Cumberland -- have an avid following for their annual open road challenge up the mountain.

In short, Maryland is a motor sports state, from tracks and strips in Allegany, Washington and Frederick Counties to road course driving and rallies in the central region to more tracks, strips and courses on the Eastern Shore and St. Mary's County.

And with this culture comes car clubs -- like-minded folks who share a passion for a particular discipline or vehicle model.

Traditionially, when there are major racing events, there are also car club corrals, where these interest groups can bring their prize steeds, brag, and hang out together while enjoying the sights, sounds and smells that go with the sport.

(I'm not sure if tailgating is a part of this experience or not.  While at Polish Mountain, I saw activities that look suspiciously like grilling, but this may not have been a sanctioned activity.)

In any case, the Baltimore Grand Prix, by popular demand, is featuring a Car Club Corral for member groups.

Among the benefits for Car Club attendees are premier parking in Lot C (next to the track between turns on Lee Street, adjacent to the ALMS paddock,) a dedicated grandstand seat between turns 10 and 12, and various hospitality options (which could mean tents or rallies in the Warehouse.)

These car club functions sometimes include seminars and sessions with manufacturer reps.  And BGP is even promising an on-track parade!

(Note:  there will be personally guided tours of Bin 400, Warehouse B, offered with the Lamborghini club hospitality package.)

So while the Junquemobile may feel slighted that there are no rallies for vintage Quest mini-vans, I have to admit the idea of sharing the Camden Yards complex with a fleet of hot cars does sound appealing.

This event just keeps getting better and better . . . .!