Can I still make it to Austin's F1 race (3 people)?

Sorry to bother you folks, but I'd greatly appreciate your help if not too much trouble. This would be my first F1 race, so not familiar at all with the planning. Wasn't thinking on attending F1 with the V6 cars, but my brother convinced me to. This would probably be my first and last race, so suggestions which would be the best area to watch (if available, of course), if practices are worth watching (to know when to fly in), and if paddock passes are worth it, would be greatly appreciated. And also if you know where to buy the race tickets, and which hotels still have room available. We'd fly in (need to check on plane tickets too), and rent a car, so need parking advice as well. Don't have hours to spend on this, so my only chance to make it is with your help . Have a great afternoon.

 

Thanks man. Thing is the better hotels I know are taken, so need to find another. Was hoping for some pointers to play it safe. But if not, will put somebody to check hotel ratings/location and call to see if there's availability. Thank you.

By the way, my dealer sent me info on Ferrari's deal, but it's over 7 grand per ticket, so not worth it with the current cars IMO. Remember reading the grandstands and turn 12 were the best locations, but only the grandstands are covered, so prefer that, but those are only available thru ticket scalpers. Man, I HATE that practice; don't understand why it hasn't been prohibited (and on concerts too). Anyway, might go for turn 12 since those are still available at COTA. And how about paddock passes? Are they worth it? Don't know what access do you have, and when.

 

Hey gang, don't want to eliminate the Ferrari deal just yet, but not even my dealer knows what it includes. He said no guests included, but I remember reading it included 1. If no guests, it's out of the question. But if it includes 1, maybe. I also like to know if you watch the race from up there, or what's the deal. If you still need to buy race tickets, then not interested either. And finally, do you for sure meet the drivers, or just maybe? And how about pit lane access? Is that only thru the tour, or you can go at other times as well? Hopefully somebody with first-hand experience can chime in. Many thanks.

 

That was an awesome tip; thank you very much . And thank you for the rest of the information as well. Want to watch the race, but will attend the other 2 days for sure. Also want to see the Ferrari Challenge races, besides qualifying and maybe a practice or two.

The first thing I need to find out is where are the shuttle pick-up stops downtown. Then look for hotels nearby.

 

Thank you again. With that info, looked for nice hotels near the convention center, and the Four Seasons, Radisson, and Hampton-Inn are all booked. Only the Hilton Austin has availability at the tune of $819 per night... and the entire stay would be NON-REFUNDABLE. SOBs. So your strategy wouldn't work. Guy said ALL drivers and teams stay there, but I doubt it. Well, at least there's an option. Will look for tickets on the main grandstands before booking anything. Take care.

 

Okay, didn't want to risk waiting since everything was booked solid on all other nice downtown hotels, so reserved at the Hilton Austin Downtown on the executive floor ($3,171 for 3 nights. Holy crap; it's like 4 times normal rates. Oh well). Booked plane tickets as well. Just have the tickets left, but will do that tomorrow. StubHub didn't have any for the main grandstands, so will have to look elsewhere. I'm afraid to buy from those outlets, but have no choice. I'd appreciate if somebody has a recommendation. Want the middle (top to bottom, and left to right) of the main grandstand, preferrably. Not the most expensive ones at the very top. But if there's a good reason for those seats, I'd like to know. We're getting it in the a$$ already, so might as well do it right all the way. Ha ha. Also will call COTA and see what's the deal with paddock passes.

I'd also like to hear from somebody having done the Ferrari hospitality deal before buying tickets. Thanks gang.

 

Not getting much help here, but will try one last time with a specific question:

I'm between mezzanine and club seating. At club, I'd have to get seats at the last 1/3 so I get shade. Mezzanine would be a bit closer to the track than the above. But only club seem to have a view of pit lane. Called COTA and ticket prices were $1K for mezzanine and $1,200 for club before they sold out. Thru ticket scalpers, I fould mezzanine at $928 on row 2, sec 7A. But club are $1,560 and above, so the former seem like a better value. Want to know experiences with that.

Also would like to know the opinion of somebody who has done the Ferrari hospitality deal. And where you'd watch the race from. Would it be at the suites above club level? Thank you in advance for your input.

 

Thanks a lot Marlow; greatly appreciated. Hey, may I ask you a couple of questions? No pit lane tours or access? And finally, what's the shuttle for? For going somewhere else inside the track? Many thanks.

 

Thanks a lot for that info. Glad I didn't get those. I'm arriving Friday. No pit lane tour. And most likely not even meeting the drivers, hence that language. Found great seats up in the club area below face value ($1K) from a PSL holder who couldn't make it. Have much better use of those 12 grand saved .

Thank you for all your help. And hope to meet some of you at the FunFest. Or the track. Will be staying at the Hilton in front of the convention center (only place with rooms left).
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I specifically asked the Hilton if they had any blocked, and said no. But don't expect a clerk to know . Anyway, paid $1K/might a week ago directly from them, and another guy going with us told me they had them listed on Expedia for half that. I'll never going to buy from such sites ever again (a bad experience made me learn that lesson the hard way), but hope that's not true. I'd feel stupid. Ha ha. Nah. Didn't want risking a good downtown room; this will probably be my first and last F1 race (if F1 doesn't go back to NA screaming engines), so wanted to do it right.

 

I now book everything directly (airline carrier, hotel, car rental company), and rarely spend more. This was a different deal due to that stupid 'blocking', but didn't want to risk not having a downtown hotel. Got a suite at the executive floor, so maybe not quite $600, but have no doubt cheaper than what I paid. But it is what it is . Take care.

 

Whatever the case, it wasn't worth it man, but it was probably the only chance to go with car enthusiasts rather than my wife (she's not into motorsports). But I appreciate trying to make me feel better. He he. Like many here, I'd have preferred to spend equal or more money in Europe (or Montreal), where there's no scalping. That practice pisses me off to no end, and didn't want to be part of it. But made an exception due to being just guys. And no, the scalping/raping/gouging/etc is not going to make me have any less fun . Hope we're treated to a good race, to feel better at the end of the trip for all the money wasted. Ha ha.