US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation...

There are 30,000 hotel rooms in Austin, and 48,000 in San Antonio, not counting neighboring towns of San Marcos, New Braunfels, Round Rock, Georgetown, and many more.

Austin has been portrayed as backwoods, and is anything but. There is a ton of good restaurants , bars, and music venues to have something for everyone. I was pointing out that Austin, as the epicenter of the event, does have multiple events a year as large or larger than the crowd the F1 race will bring.

BS on the flying issue. With direct flights to europe from DFW and Houston, it's just a 45 minute flight from each of those to Austin. You can also do a 200 mile, 3 hour, drive from either to Austin.

I still contend if you can still get 180,000 Nascar fans, and 80-100,000 fans for Indycar at Texas Motor Speedway north of Ft Worth, that the first F1 race in Austin will draw a larger US crowd than you think.

 

By that comment can we infer that you finally do believe there will be a race in Austin this year?

 

they're selling PSLs. They auctioned off 2 tickets at a Charity event recently.

 

http://www.gtspirit.com/2012/03/10/exact-copy-of-nurburgring-proposed-in-nevada/

 

I agree that distance, like most things, is relative based upon experiences. I make the Dallas to Austin round trip in one day on a regular basis, so the distance doesn't seem that far any more. Years ago when first started doing it, I would typically stop once or twice for a breather, now when I hit Austin, I'm just starting to hit my stride. One year when we went to one of the Indianapolis Grand Prix, we stayed in Chicago, drove down and back the day of the race which wasn't too bad.
Speaking of driving long distances, it's funny watching the ameteur distance drivers on the road when you are driving at a steady constant speed for a long distance. You start to notice certain cars fly past you at well above the speed limit, only to pass you a couple of more times before you reach your destination. I can only assume they are driving like crazy to make up for all the time they lose making all the rest stops.
I have a feeling that the non casual F1 fans that can't find a room in Austin are not going to be deterred by a little driving. Worst case scenario, the drive from West Houston isn't as long as the drive from Dallas.

 

I think you'd be wrong.

Add a 300 mile round trip to 8 hours at the track, and you've got 12 hours left to eat twice and sleep. Sounds like perfectly miserable way to experience F1.

 

Give it a break, stay in New Bransfels, and cruise on in...

As far as International Flights, I think Dallas and Houston can handle any load.....then RV or Rent a car on over into God's Country.

I'm in the Broken Spoke tonight with Jesse Dayton if anyone wants to have a cold one!

Wedding is this weekend, but I am still hanging with the strippers from last weekend....say "Hi" Michelle.......

 

We have an offer of a Ranch in Bastrop along the River, it would be great for an RV or tent camping..

And Ferrari / Lamborghini Parking will be at Live Oak and South Congress.
My partners house....Google it.
Right by that big mosaic sculpture, look for that.....it's in his front yard!

Italian Restaurant right across the street with another 400 -600 parking places..

SXSW was pretty fun, people kept wandering into our Stag Party by mistake, and I had Sunday chicken dinner with Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Kevin Welch.

You guys around the world head on over, I'll put a roof over your head!!
Or at least a Tent awning, or something.....

 

My brother is loaning me his RV with the promise I won't catch it on fire, we'll have banners up, on that!!

"Welcome FerrariCHat"....I need to get some more sponsors, I have Goodyear, Royal Purple, and Saint Arnolds Beer.....

 

Here's what 'werewolf' said over on the New Jersey GP thread....looks like iamthesimpleone's series of building pics don't offer much assurance...

"Buildings are the easy part of any racetrack. It's the track itself that causes headaches, cost over-runs, unforeseen expenses, etc ... especially if that track surface is going to meet Tilke standards for Formula One."

 

Up at 6, Austin by 9 or 10, race at noon, head back to Austin by 3 or 4, back at hotel by 6 or 7; heck my work day is longer then that sometimes. Someone that can't handle that is an ameteur traveler.

 

Does that include extensive travel between Dallas and Austin?

 

I've traveled across the country for the military 15+ times already. Coast to coast sometimes in 2 days. I also do massive music festivals on a regular basis. I think I can handle a little traffic.
I'm planning on flying in for the race, and fly out. If for some reason I come out for the whole weekend, I'll be staying at the Air Force base in San Antonio. Can't beat $30/night!

Just a thought for you active duty or retired service members.

 

Then it appears as if you have the same travel experience jkddad. He may be wrong but you don't have to be ****** about it.

 

True, but buildings look more interesting. Looks like they're almost done grading......

first two from COTA, last one from the friends of f1austin FB page....
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.409933945687823.111227.157330087614878&type=1
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I think COTA will sell as many tickets as they can....As to the grandstands, they shrunk it from 11 to 9,000. First said that a while ago. Have to cut costs wherever they can I guess. I'm still curious if they're talking about permanent grand stands, there, or are they not going to put up temporary ones elsewhere

Just as relevant as attendance figures is the economic impact report the comptroller certifies after the race. That's what I'll be watching

 

Has to be a typo? That would be ridiculous.