Anybody been to past races in Cleveland?
 

The upcoming APBA Offshore race course appears to have 2 good viewing areas - the pass-required site near Cleveland Stadium at the west end of the course; and Cleveland Lakefront State Park and Sam Miller Park at the east end of the course. Anybody been to those parks?

- What is the terrain like: bluffs? wide/narrow beach?
- Is there an admission fee for the State Park?
- What is the parking situation like?

Thanks for any info (and any other useful info you think is needed).

http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/arou...n/map/map.html


Try the above link, last year the wet/dry pits where behind (north) of the Cleveland Browns Stadium, inside the Port of Cleveland property (fenced).

Hi Misha
 

If you use the link that "sroker" has posted find the word "Port" in Port of Cleveland. The pit area was just to the west of here. This area is all fenced in. This is where all the Trucks, Trailers, and Boats were along with some vendors. A lot of people were sitting and standing on the breakwall to watch the race.
I believe the fee was $10 per person but it gets you right up close to the action where you can talk to the racers.

We also walked down to Voinovich Park. This is where they had the majority of the general public. The money we payed for the pits got us into the park. This area was very good for viewing the race and much better then standing on the rocks. Very nice setting and they had commentators announcing the race over a sound system. There were beer and pop vendors here also.

They were running a shuttle service back and forth from these areas. It is an easy walk so check out the Rock Hall and Science Center that are right by the water useing the sidewalks and finish it off going by the Stadium.

There was plenty of parking to the west of the Stadium but expect to pay for it.

They pretty much had security and areas fenced off so if you wanted to get a good view you were going to have to pay.
I'm sure there are plenty of places you could go and not pay but it was worth every penny of the $10 to be standing right next to the race boats.
Last year they raced inside the breakwall and did a big loop to the outside of the wall into the lake and back around. It was as if you could reach out and touch them when they were flying by.

Now the question is are they going to do the same thing this year? I here that it is being operated by someone else.

http://cleveland.about.com/library/t...voinovich+park

Cordell

I should have checked first
 

Looks like it is going to be pretty much the same set up as last year.

Check out resources section in the top right corner of page.

http://www.apba-offshore.com/location.cfm?EventID=13

Have a great time!

Cordell:)

Anyone taking their boat?
 

If so, where are you putting in?
Where are you dropping anchor to watch?
How close are you allowed to get to the action by boat?

ttt

We will be there and have been sold out for some time. May be able to free up a boat for the Poker run if someone wishes to run.

Flyinbrian
 

Edgewater Park just to the west of all of the action has pretty decent ramps and they are close.

I don't know how you will be trying to find the ramp. It is to the West of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Science Center, And Cleveland Browns Stadium.

You need to follow the shoreway towards Lakewood useing route 2 and 6. Get off the Edgewater Park Exit. You will see Edgewater park marina. Turn down the access road to the right following the fenced in area with boats on the other side. When you get to the end of the fenced area look to the left and this is the launch ramp area.

I made prior plans for that weekend but things could change. I keep my boat at Commodores Club.

This is just my opinion but I think that the view from the area that they have set up on shore is great and the boats come by at a stones throw away.
It looked like last year that they kept boats on the outside of the breakwall and a fair distance from the race action.

Cordell

Thanks Cordell
 

That's the info I was looking for!

I may tow my boat up, watch from shore, then put the boat in later to go to the Flats or something.

Or am I asking for it by going there?

Flyinbrian
 

Take your boat! The water will be busy but you'll probably be sorry if you don't.
You'll be able to find a place to dock along the wall or raft off of another boat in the flats. Just be prepared for it with the right size and amount of fenders.
During the mornings and early afternoon you can get away with being by your self tied up.
By late afternoon and evening you could end up with several boats rafted off you.

There is a poker run by Poker Runs America and National Marine the same weekend. It's $600 bucks for 2 people and I'm not sure what it all includes but here is a link if you want to check it out.
http://www.pokerrunsamerica.com/index.html

Cordell