Southeastern sports-related activities aren’t necessarily confined to tailgating. Put down the koozie and chicken wings, and soak up some action.
NASCAR Racing Experience, Talladega, Ala.
Armchair NASCAR drivers get the literal keys to the kingdom for this fantasy racing session in an actual NASCAR race car. It all takes place within the hallowed confines of Talladega Superspeedway, a new addition among NASCAR's participating tracks. Home of the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and more, Talladega features a tri-oval track, which resembles a combination of a triangle and an oval. It measures 2.66 miles, making it the longest NASCAR oval in operation. At Talladega, drivers typically get to choose between the Practice Drive 5, Premium Drive 5 or Premium Drive 8 sessions. Both the Practice Drive 5 and Premium Drive 5 put participants behind the wheel for a three-hour NASCAR immersion. After preparing for the drive, guests put the pedal to the metal for a five-minute timed session. Both experiences are the same, except the Premium Drive 5 takes place on peak dates. Gear heads who can't get enough shoot the works for the Premium Drive 8. Although it's also a three-hour experience, drivers score an eight-minute timed session. Wannabe Earnhardts can pay for as many as four back-to-back eight-minute runs. According to NASCAR Racing Experience staff, Talladega's 2015 dates should be announced in November and will likely take place in April, May and June of next year. In the meantime, start stashing some cash in your trunk. The 2014 Talladega prices ranged from $399.99 for a Practice Drive 5 session to $2,034.99 for four eight-minute Premium Drive 8 sessions.
1-877-839-4458, www.nascarracingexperience.com/talladegasuperspeedway.html, @NASCARRaceExp
Rafting the Chattooga River in South Carolina
OK, so maybe banjo music and whitewater excursions haven't been the same since the 1972 film "Deliverance." That doesn't stop both outdoor enthusiasts and film fanatics from exploring the Chattooga River in South Carolina. This time paddlers squeal with delight braving gushing rapids and gasp-inducing drops on whitewater rafting trips. Regal mountains, generous greenery and gorgeous rock formations provide the unspoiled setting. Since the Chattooga is federally protected, it's as if someone pushed nature's pause button. The serene surroundings contrast the river's liquid thrills as whitewater often equals white knuckle. Expect your stomach to rise as your raft takes a 7-foot plunge. Many of the rapids bear splashy names such as "Last Supper" and, of course, "Deliverance." Legend has it the latter rapid caused movie camera crews to lose bundles of equipment during the shoot. Yeah, some paddlers may hit the drink, but a pre-trip training and safety session shares information on how to handle such things. With flotation devices and keen guides with safety ropes at the ready, anyone taking a spill either gets yanked out of the water and back into the raft by a guide or fellow rafter, or swims to a nearby rock or shore. Some excursions may include a swimming opportunity and access to small cliff jumps. Several area services offer whitewater rafting expeditions including Nantahala Outdoor Center in Mount Rest and Wildwater in Long Creek. Typical trips on the Section III or IV portions of the Chattooga last between five and six hours on the water. Prices start around $100 per person. Keep in mind the Section IV rapids get a bit hairy and the staff recommends previously experienced paddlers for this one. Newbies and families can opt for Wildwater's shorter and more subdued excursion. Its 2 1/2-hour mini trip down Section III starts at $69.95 per person.
Nantahala Outdoor Center, 851-A Chattooga Ridge Road, Mount Rest, S.C., 1-888-905-7238, noc.com
Wildwater Chattooga, 1251 Academy Road, Long Creek, S.C., 1-866-319-8870, wildwaterrafting.com, @WildwaterLtd
2015 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro, N.C.
The country's top blade masters slice the ice for this annual figure skating competition crowning America's national champions. The 2015 showdown takes place at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, the home of the 2011 event. This proves to be good news for fans as all events drop at one location. Skaters lace 'em up Jan. 16 for the official practice day. Practice sessions in the complex's special events center are free to the public. Only those holding all-event tickets can attend practices in Greensboro Coliseum's main arena. Across the next eight days, skaters duke it out in the men's, ladies', pairs and ice dance categories. Organizers expect more than 350 competitors in the juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior and senior levels, including some Sochi Olympians. It all culminates on Jan. 25 for the Skating Spectacular. This exhibition allows the champions in the novice and junior levels, as well as the medal winners in the senior level, a chance to flex their on-ice muscles without having to compete. A special on-site FanFest runs throughout the week featuring skating demonstrations, autograph sessions, and heaps of other activities including Wii games and an intimate movie theater screening figure skating films. Although tickets are available for individual competitive sessions, all-event tickets allow access to everything except for the Skating Spectacular, which is a separate ticketed event. All-event tickets range from $250-$850 each.
Jan. 17-25, 2015. Greensboro Coliseum Complex, 1921 W. Lee St., Greensboro, N.C., 919-678-1651, northcarolina2015.com/Tickets.
Crazy 8s 8K Run in Kingsport, Tenn.
This annual competition in July has a serious worldwide rep, partly due to its gimmicks. Call it a double eight-tendre. The numeric theme runs throughout beginning with the race's 8-kilometer length. Add to the fact Crazy 8s finds its runners slapping their shoe bottoms along a figure eight-shaped course on the streets surrounding J. Fred Johnson Stadium. Then you have the race's dark side. Since it doesn't step off until 9:58 p.m., area residents help illuminate the streets of Kingsport by lining portions of the course with luminary bags. All unique twists aside, Crazy 8s has been the site of some record-breaking runs. They don't call it the world's fastest 8K for nothing. Kenya's Peter Githuka broke the men's 8K world record at Crazy 8s in 1996, and Morocco's Asmae Leghzaoui set a new women's world record in 2002. The men's record has since been broken elsewhere, but Crazy 8s participants have an incentive to bring it back to Kingsport. The first Crazy 8s runner to break the world record scores additional cash prizes in the form of the Regional Eye Center $10,008 World Record Bonus, and the $5,000 Bank of Tennessee Dash for the Gold. Everyone who finishes the race gets a rousing hero's welcome inside the J. Fred Johnson Stadium. Runners cross the finish line on the field.
crazy8s.org, @Crazy8sRoadRace
Golfing at Sea Island
When pro golfers flock like shorebirds and nest near this golfing mecca, the endorsement swings volumes. Davis Love III, Zach Johnson, Lucas Glover and other PGA stars call St. Simons Island home. Draping with Spanish moss, the beach town has its own brand of lure with a tally of tempting eateries and oceanfront attractions. A quick blip across the causeway sits Sea Island, the plush, privately owned and operated resort property laying claim to lauded golf courses. Splurge for accommodations at the Cloister, the Cottages, the Lodge or the Inn, and you’ll have access to Sea Island Golf Club. The newly opened Inn and its mid-priced rates make it more accessible for the budget-minded. In 2011, Golf Digest ranked it No. 4 among the 75 best golf resorts on the continent. Its crown jewel remains the links-style Seaside, revamped in 1999 by famed course craftsman Tom Fazio. Perched on the southern tip of St. Simons, the island’s sound in view, Seaside’s layout comes rife with challenges, making it the prime host for PGA Tour’s McGladrey Classic (Oct. 20-26). Course architect Rees Jones put his stamp on the renovation of the Plantation course, which twists through a legion of cedar, longleaf pine and live oak. Love III and brother Mark Love renovated the Retreat course in 2000 with its slopes of Bermuda grass. Keep in mind greens fees aren’t for the timid. Peak season prices at Seaside top out at $295 per game, and Plantation and Retreat reach $210. Golfers looking to sink even more cash in their craft can indulge in a personalized assessment at the Golf Performance Center, where many pros get their heads in the game. Not quite ready to tee up the funds to visit Sea Island? Other golfing options are available on St. Simons, and you still may have the opportunity to rub elbows with Davis Love III. His Paddle and Putt Shop, specializing in stand-up paddle boards, can be found in the Redfern Village shopping district.
Sea Island Golf Club, 100 Retreat Ave., St. Simons Island, 1-800-732-4752, www.seaisland.com, @SeaIslandResort
Spring training baseball in Orlando, Fla.
Atlanta Braves fans often fly south for the spring as their favorite team trades ball caps for mouse ears. The Bravos continue their spring training at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex located at Walt Disney World Resort. The team whips itself into shape at Champion Stadium, a Disneyfied baseball experience. This means those meticulous Disney touches — heightened customer service and uber cleanliness— make the starting lineup. Kids buzz the bases after each game and fireworks burst often. Instead of typical mascots, you'll find Mickey and company bouncing about. And now that Disney has its mitts wrapped around "Star Wars," don't be shocked to see Evan Gattis trading stares with Darth Vader as the dark lord wields a lightsaber-shaped bat. A total of 9,500 fans can fill Champion Stadium, and families often spread blankets across the general admission lawn. Although parking is free, some take advantage of staying on Disney property. Amenities include complimentary bus service to and from the games. Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, one of its budget hotels, remains a popular pick and is just a zip-a-dee-doo-dah away. Although 2015 tickets have yet to go on sale, 2014 prices started at $12-$24 for lawn seats and topped at $39-$52 for lower level reserved. The 2015 Braves spring training season runs Feb. 25-March 25.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, 700 S. Victory Way, Kissimmee, Fla., espnwwos.com, @DisneySports
OFFBEAT
Harness racing in Hawkinsville
Who knew Hawkinsville was a hub for harness racing? Since the late 1800s, horse owners have been taking advantage of the Georgia red clay by training their equines on Hawkinsville tracks. Today that same clay lines the track of the Lawrence Bennett Harness Facility. Although it’s owned by the city, Dan Ater, a district director of the U.S. Trotters Association, manages the grounds. Each April, the track opens to the public for the Hawkinsville Harness Festival. Sure, you’ll find fireworks, live music, bounce houses, carnival-esque grub and other festival frivolity. But actual harness racing serves as the main event, hoofing to life on that red clay. Although harness racing may be a not-too-distant cousin of ancient Greek chariot racing, you won’t find any daredevilry out of “Ben-Hur.” A Standardbred horse races at a trot pace, pulling a driver who’s perched atop a two-wheeled cart called a sulky.
Lawrence Bennett Harness Facility, 290 Abbeville Highway, Hawkinsville, 478-892-9463, hawkinsvilleharnessfestival.com
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