As a resident of Louisville, I feel it my duty to bring up the issue of protecting your cars/stuff from thiefs while your visiting my fine town. Fortunately, Louisville is a very safe town, but we have all seen the posts here on the HAMB and other places about folks who attend one of these big car events only to get their cars stolen. Let's get a discussion going here about what we can do to protect ourselves from the low-life scum that make a living ripping other people off. Being local, it would be my pleasure to answer general questions you may have about different areas of town you should avoid, or at least be on high alert when you go there. Ask away, and discuss amongst yourselves
Interesting topic, I'll be watching this one. I know I've gotten off the interstate in the wrong part of town there more than once. I never saw so many yuppies in giant SUV's, scared the hell outa me.
I recommend staying out of the west end of town. The west end not far from the western boundries of the fairgrounds.
Several years ago I was staying at a certain Louisville motel that can best be described by the color of the roofing shingles. It is reasonably close to the fairgrounds and is on the east side of the city. There were groups of "low life's" hanging around the motel all of the time! They were running "shell game" gambling scams and trying to bum money from the guests. We were awakened in the middle of the night by flashing red lights from a fire truck responding to a car that had been set on fire in the parking lot! Fortunately, it was an OT car, but still it was very disturbing! The following years we stayed at the entrance to the fairground with no problems. YMMV, but I wanted to relay my experience. Jim
My advice to those attending would be to get a motel either within walking distance to the Fairgrounds or towards the east end of Louisville. There's about 8 or 10 motels just off exit 16 (Blankanbaker Pkwy.) off Interstate 64 which is less then 10 miles to the Fairgrounds. The rates are much cheaper. Some of my out of town friends have been staying there for years. Its not a high crime area, its safe and its in close proximity to loads of good restaurants. I too have ended up in the wrong part of town when attending rod runs out of state. Its no fun staying at a sketchy motel where you can't get a good nights sleep worrying wether your car will be there in the morning.
A good option might be to stay at the horseshoe casino and resort just across the river in southern indiana. It's about a 20 minute drive to the event. Security is good, the neighborhood is safe. Any of the hotels off Blankenbaker Parkway are safe. If your staying off Hurstbourne, your good... Tho the "red roof" does have some rif-raf from time to time. It's in a nice neighborhood, it's just that it's the only low priced place in that area, so some shady characters show up there sometimes. Avoid the Motel 6 off Goldsmith lane like the plague!!!!!!! Off Bardstown Road, the Economy inn is baaaaad news! But the travel-lodge and quality just across the street from it are ok. ***EDIT*** I just drove by the travel-lodge on Bardstown Rd. All the lights were off and there were no cars in the parking lot. I'm wondering if they're out of business???
Just a suggestion, but maybe folks would like to know the NAME of the "red roof place". Again, just a thought.
Staying at the Crowne Plaza across the street from the entrance - never had a problem there, other than the year they ran out of all beer except Bud - and that ain't beer!
Has anyone given any thought to using the buddy system? A group staying at the same hotel, and a member of that group is constantly on patrol to watch the cars?
There are numerous hotels just outside the Fairgrounds main entrance. I know the closest one is the Crown Plaza and they do have Louisville Police providing security. Not sure about the other motels. Also not really really sure what security really means anymore with what seems to be a rash of stolen rides. You probably can't get into any motels in walking distance ay this late date. Like I posted before, stay at the east end of Louisville like exit 16 off I-64 Blankanbaker Lane. Its asfe area in the good end of town with prices probably much less then around the Fairgrounds.
As I've already stated, OVERALL Louisville is a very safe city. The neighborhood in close proximity to the main and east entrances of the fairgrounds are, for the most part, safe. It's basically a working class mixed-race area... Quite a few car guys. Some of the hooptie [bling donk] crowd, and a few low-riders in the mix. Good folks for the most part. My bigger concern, and the main reason I created this post is the "professional" car thiefs who will be traveling to Louisville for this event. It's those guys I'm worried about. I've got quite a few contacts and friends here in town. Some of those friends are pretty low on the food chain... I'm not aware of anyone here in town that runs the type of opperation that would target our kind of cars. [but you never know]... I'm worried about the guy who would jack your $100k '32 ford, and have it on a shipping container bound for Saudi Arabia before the sun went down.
Don't know about Y'all, but I don't live in a dump at home and sure don't want to stay a sketchy motel when on the road. Every town has areas you don't want to be. Its not only the bed bug epidemic but your safety as well. A dump motel can ruin an otherwise fun weekend. its good to ask local where they would stay so theres no surprises. I'll help anyone find a decent motel. Just send a PM.
I live off the Blankenbaker exit on East I-64 and there are several new motels there with an easy 15 min. drive to the fairgrounds. Safe, clean, new area.
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