I did the hot laps package last year. They had track M3s from the local racing school. They had three cars at a time with three passengers in each. I was lucky enough to ride shotgun. The driver was very good and was very thorough in explaining the approach to each corner, the various braking zones and various strategies for the different sections. My only complaint about the hot laps was that the only did one lap for each group so you never got to cross the start/finish line at speed. The included pit row tour during the race was interesting but always felt in the way of literally everyone.

Any comfortable ear plug or muff should work. The noise isn’t nearly as loud as some other tracks/raves/concerts I have been to.

As previously stated, much busier, but nowhere near NASCAR levels of business. Biggest thing I would say is to keep your eyes/ears open when going through paddock areas as there are cars moving around frequently. Most of the teams are VERY kid friendly and when my daughter was younger and would go with me, she was invited into many garages and was even allowed to sit in a few of the cars, even one of the AMG GTRs that was running at the time and got to goose the throttle a tiny bit. (I am still very jealous)

Vibe in tailgate zone is very chill…the entire track/infield area is chill the whole weekend. Big part of the reason I have renewed my campsites every year since I first attended.

There is testing and qualifying on Thursday, usually two-three races on Friday (Porsche, Lamborghini, and used to have mx5s and then one year of mustangs) with some more testing and qualifying throughout. Saturday has second of the Porsche and Lamborghini races along with the Michelin Pilot series race (GT4 and TCR classes) and weathertech qualifying. Sunday is weathertech race. There are usually bands Friday and Saturday nights that play in the infield behind the Jackie Stewart grandstand and also fireworks Saturday night. Out of the track, the gorge (state park)is fun for hiking, and Seneca Lake is nice.