Purple in Sector 1

The Rio is like any other large scale casino resort in Las Vegas.  Large, lots of options and designed to separate you with as much of your money as possible.  They don’t build those kinds of places on donations.  One of the secrets to racing on a budget is to know how to get the most value from your dollar.  That doesn’t mean sleeping in the trailer or tow vehicle, or even a broken down motel. That means knowing where to get the best deals and values for the money.  Over the last decade or so Vegas has focused not so much on the ultra low prices of food and drink to attract gamblers as it has in increasing non gaming revenue, or NGR.  NGR has been one of the driving factors in what was until recently a very booming economy in the Las Vegas Valley.  But as with other things in the economy these days traffic to Vegas has slowed, albeit only by 10% or so but more importantly spending by those that come to Vegas has decreased.  If you are gaming, the house odds won’t be any better but at least some of the old school Vegas room, food and drink deals remain.

Lodging

When the SNATs block went on sale at the Rio earlier this year it was a pretty good deal.  Since then things have changed and room prices have fallen another 10%-20% off the rack rate and bargains can be had in nearly every property.   For bargain hunters one of the first things to ask for is the “Friends and Family” rate.  Not all properties have them and not all that do have them at all times but it is a good way to save some cash.   For example, right now Excalibur on the Strip has a friends and family deal though it’s advertised as the general rate.  It’s US$41/night week nights and US$81 on the weekends.  An added bonus is that the lot can accommodate trailers, RVs and tow vehicles and it’s not too far from the Rio.  Mandalay Bay also has a friends and family but it’s not available for that week.

An even better deal is at Palace Station, still not too far from the race though not on the Strip.  They too can accommodate trailers, tow vehicles and RVs.  Weekday rates of US$34 and weekend of US$59.  The Grand Cafe is an added bonus plus there is BJ play in the Temptation Room.  That’s a blackjack room with what they call the “hottest dealers in Vegas”.  I haven’t been so I don’t know if they are talking excessive body temps or looks.

On the cheaper end there is the Motel Six at Trop and I-15 or at Koval and Trop.  Both can accommodate trailers, tow vehicles and RVs and aren’t too far from the race.  Rates at either property are US$33 weekdays and US$57 weekends.   Unlike the full service resort hotel casinos they are strictly a motor hotel.  No casino, restaurants or bar though many are within walking distance or adjacent to the property.

The Gold Coast, next to the Rio, is offering rooms for US$31 weekday, US$66 weekend.  Earlier you could have gotten the weekday rooms for US$24 but that block appears to be gone.  It’s a full service resort casino hotel with modest dining establishments and cheap drinks.  Some of the best drink specials in town are often at a Coast property.  Circus Circus also has rooms for US$32 weekdays and US$67 weekends.   The Stratosphere is offering US$27 during the week, US$56 on the weekend.  All three properties can accommodate trailers, tow vehicles and RVs.

In another post we’ll cover where to eat, what services are near the track and where the nightlife and cheap drinks are.

Home of Supernats XII

It’s that time of year again, when racer’s hearts and minds turn to what is likely the most prestigious karting sprint event in the US, the SKUSA Supernationals.  Or as it’s called this year, The National Guard Supernationals Presented by Superkarts USA.  This will be my fifth Supernats attending (including the first year it ran at the Rio) and my first as a competitor.  

For the next couple of weeks we’ll share some local info on the Vegas scene.  Where things are in relation to the track, what to do when you’re not at the track and last but not least, a look at what it takes a privateer buying a ride with an established tea.  We’ll supplement that with photos and tweets each day from the event.  Many if not most of the people that will be reading this aren’t kart racers, or even race fans.  To most of them karting is something you do at the local amusement park or at one of the euro style kart centers that have become so popular around the country.  This will let them get a little peak into what we do for fun and let those that do follow karting get a different perspective live from the event.