Just now opened the envelope containing our 2014 Indianapolis 500 tickets and lo and behold our seats have increased in price by just shy of 24% IN JUST TWO YEARS.

IMS increased ticket prices for 2014 by around 14% and now The State of Indiana is getting in on the act to the tune of another 10%.

The accompanying letter that came with the tickets says The State of Indiana is imposing a Motorsports Admission Fee. This tidy little fee is designed to strengthen The State of Indiana's position as a global leader in the motorsports industry and create new benefits for for economic development in tourism, hospitality and motorsports businesses statewide.

I called the IMS ticket office and bent the ear of a very nice lady that had the unlucky displeasure of picking up the phone. She was very gracious and cheerfully informed me that I should be glad tickets aren't higher and that I can bring food and beverages to my seats on race day. I wasn't impressed and told her the Indy 500, as much as I love attending it, is less than a shadow of what it was 20 years ago and you got the nerve to be jackin' ticket prices 20% to 25% a pop? She replied that there are folks willing to give as much as $1000 for seats in our stand, section and row. I told her to send those folks my way 'cause if they offer me $2000 for my seats they'll damned sure have a deal. She said be very careful 'cause scalpin' is illegal without a permit in Indiana and Indiana especially likes bustin' folks from neighboring states for scalping tickets plus you lose your tickets, forever. I said forget about sendin' anybody my way to buy tickets 'till after the 2016 race.

Good Lord, I thought Illinois was bad.

I'm wonderin' what Indiana is going to do with this money besides line someones pockets with it.

We've got 28 years seniority in the 500 ticket renewal plan but as soon as the 2016 500 is over IMS and Indiana can start screwing some other happy race fan 'cause I can't take it in the pooper dry any longer!!

I'm also wonderin' if this blood sucking technique will apply to places like Terre Haute, The Fairgrounds and Anderson as well as IMS? If it does, Indiana will be into me pretty deep for the whole Memorial Day long weekend.

Sorry for the rant. I'll shut up now.

Rant away, Kenny. I imagine most folks on this forum feel the same way. This will be only my third trip to the 500, and in all probability will be my last. I obviously don't have the history at the Brickyard that you and others have, so probably don't have the right to rant, but I do agree with you. Maybe the state will only assess this tax at major motorsports events like the 500 and Brickyard 400. I believe my Little 500 tickets are the same price as 2012, so hopefully the local tracks aren't going to be stuck with charging more for tickets, and patrons won't be charged with paying for the increased taxation.

From Fox 59 News, May, 2013:
"Gov. Mike Pence has signed a bill Friday that will help pay for improvements at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
House Enrolled Act 1544 gives the Indiana Finance Authority the power to issue bonds to help raise $100 million for upgrades at IMS. The bill creates a Motorsports Investment District that will take sales and income tax at IMS property to be used for reinvestment in the track.
“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has contributed to the life of our state for more than a century, enhancing the global reputation of Indiana,” Pence said. “The legislation I signed today makes a state investment that will further economic development in the motorsports industry while also protecting the interests of Hoosier taxpayers.”
The legislation has several safeguards, including a security interest in IMS assets, an annual $2 million investment by the track through the life of the bonds and a guarantee of the debt.
Mark D. Miles, chief executive officer of Hulman & Company, expressed gratitude at the governor’s decision to sign the bill.
“The success of this legislation reflects their broad understanding of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, its impact on the state’s economy and our prospects for growth,” Miles said. “The company is committed to doing everything possible to produce a return for taxpayers. We’ve been humbled by the overwhelming enthusiasm we’ve received from Hoosiers as we’ve gone through the legislative process.”
The bill also creates a Motorsports Improvement Fund that will give loans to businesses including race tracks, team owners, drivers, suppliers and other qualified businesses. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will oversee the fund.
According to the state, the motorsports industry employs about 23,000 people in Indiana. Thousands more work for motorsports-related companies in 91 of the state’s 92 counties."
From the Indianapolis Business Journal, July, 2013:
"Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials say they've seen no adverse sales impact from a risky move to raise ticket prices for the 2014 Indianapolis 500 by about 15 percent--the first price increase in almost a decade."

It's been a long time coming, and no secret. Check out the price for Colts tickets. The 500 is still a good deal comparatively, and you can bring in your own food as the nice lady said, unlike an NFL, NBA or MLB event. In today's economy, the fact that prices held steady for 10 years is a miracle.
The tax is only going to be imposed at IMS, much like taxes levied at Lucas Oil Stadium and Banker's Life Fieldhouse, and is the first time in the history of IMS that they've asked for, and received municipal help. Again, a miracle in today's economy.

This is my 50th consecutive 500, and I don't feel that ticket prices are "Outa' Sight". I've had the same seats since 1968, so I'm used to seeing a lot of the same faces each year. Some of my seat mates are now watching from that great grandstand in the sky, so there has been some turnover in recent years.
I've heard some of the newcomers talking of paying several times face value for their seats, so apparently scalpers have entered the picture.
The Speedway allows you to bring a cooler into the stands, unlike a lot of the short tracks, and nearly all the NASCAR tracks, so I'm not going to complain.
I think the tickets are a bargain compared to other sports and will enthusiastically send my renewal for 2015!

Wow Ron! 50 consecutive years. Congratulations on this amazing feat! There needs to be some kind of award for that!

Just out of curiosity, why 2 more years?

probably because the 100th running of the 500 is in 2016!

You sound like my great uncle he's been working the 500 for 53 years this year!

Thanks, Bob! I sought a parade or 21 gun salute from the Speedway, but they turned me down.

Ron, this will be my #62. However I missed 2 for a couple of sheet times. The last 3 have been via police escort to a suite owned by a friend of my son. Cant do the walk anymore. would rather use our regular seats top row fourth turn.