US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation...

Where do you get that? I read it that the entire 70K+ shuttle riders would take 3.5 hrs to move. Meaning that if all 70K+ lined up at exactly the same time and you were at the end of the line, then it would possibly take that long to get there. Typically that wouldn't happen on the way in (people never arrive at exactly the same time), but it could be like that on the way out. I don't think practice days will be at full capacity. Still, wouldn't hurt to budget 3-4 hours on race day.

Historic Grand Prix is the only one announced thus far:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2012/07/07/041897-historics-hgpa-will-race-usgp.html

 

Somewhere in the FAQ it also says no one can enter on foot, no drop offs, no taxis, no bikes, no private cars (unless PSL). The shuttle (good or bad) seems like the only option for non-PSLs. We are going to park at the Expo Center and take the shuttle. Also says 10-15 minute walk into the circuit from shuttle drop off.

We'll see how it goes. Good or bad, it is still an F1 race, which is better than a good day at work.

 

In The Olden Times when TWS was hosting Indy Car races, a name act band (Los Lobos one year) would stage a concert after the race, to attract fans and lessen the peak load on the transport.

Texaco Grand Prix of Houston did the same, I recall racing against the lead singer from Third Eye Blind, in one of the support races.


I beat him like a drum........

 

Just FYI, the Expo center has similar access to CoTA itself -- basically in the middle of nowhere with limited access (one or two small roads). During much smaller events I have waited about 30-45 mins to park at the Expo center. The country runs the place and hopefully they will put some traffic direction and contra flow out there to help, but that's really not a given...

At least the city seems to be taking things seriously now. Better late than never:
http://impactnews.com/articles/austin-officials-stress-need-for-preparedness-after-london-f1-trip

 

Thanks for the head's up. Don't know what time we will leave SA for the race yet, but that helps.

 

Anybody else planning on riding a bike?
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Haha; that's hysterical....my wife & I will be in Austin, would love to stop by....

Kevin

 

Is that map for bicycle parking then walking or taking a shuttle bus to the track? I'll be staying with family over in the South Congress & 290 area, thought about bringing a bicycle but I don't see the point if I can't just ride it to the track & lock it up.

 

Thanks man, I saw your most generous (then again, you're from Texas, their hospitality is world reknown) offer.

If this race survives a few years (and chances are it will, now that they actually built the track), I am 100% certain I'll come down at least once. Austin strikes me as a beautiful city with lots to see and the track and its elevation changes look like it will be a spectacular venue.

My prediction is, that Austin's hotel managers will see the light eventually, just as those from Indianapolis did: In the first few years it was impossible to find a hotel in downtown because these knuckleheads block reserved the whole weekend. Eventually they learned the hard way that many fans prefer to make their own travel arrangements and don't book with a tour organizer or scalper.

As I have said on here many times before: I'm all for capitalism and hijacking hotel prices (it is demand and supply after all), but for crying out loud: Don't just take your entire hotel off the market by blocking the dates.

 

I'll be offering to airdrop people in via sky diving. $250 per person, operational parachutes extra.

 

How much for the privilege of selecting which chute is operational or not for people?

 

The bike parking is around 2 miles from the site. Haven't decided for sure if I'm going to do that though. I know a friend who lives just over 5 miles from the drop off point though, so it might be quicker for me just to go that route.

 

If people are stranded downtown or at the expo center, getting to, waiting for or stuck in a shuttle, they won't be at CoTA.

 

We just finished building our dream home in Austin

I bought 3 seats for all three days - Turn 11 West, Row 20 seats 1-3! Not sure yet if I will drive or try local transportation.

Will drive over there in the next month or two and check out logistics

 

Free to you if you are up for making the most spectacular arrival to a sporting event by a fan in the history of sports.

 

Any word if shuttles from San Antonio to the track (or the Austin shuttle areas)?

Given the prices in San Antonio it might be doable for me to make a family trip out of it. Only 2 of us care about the race so the other 2 members of the Nut family can stay in SA and see the sights there.
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I don't know of a shuttle, but there is Megabus, Greyhound, and Amtrak.. Geez, Amtrak could make a killing if they had a way to run 10x the normal frequency that weekend. Impossible I imagine because of freight traffic... But still.

Not sure I'd want to put my USGP plans in any of those company's hands, but maybe if you also had a plan B...

 

Interesting thought and a way to miss the traffic; I'll look into that. Thanks.

 

He is joking, AMTRAK in Texas stops dead in Longview, that would be a long walk, to COTA.

 

Im pretty sure Ive seen them stopping right at the station on lamar right across the river. In fact I know I have cause I remember watching them load luggage onto the thing.....

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF-8&q=Amtrak+Austin&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Amtrak&hnear=0x8644b599a0cc032f:0x5d9b464bd469d57a,Austin,+TX&ei=VX4EUMipI-jD2QXSqu2YBQ&ved=0CJ8BELYD&oi=local_group

 

Thump.

 

It definitely stops in Austin, I've ridden it. The Austin Amtrak station is off Lamar near Cesar Chavez. Just west of downtown, adjacent to the Town Lake YMCA. Unfortunately there is only 1 trip per day from SA.

 

Hmmm....Thanks for the correction.

I wonder what he was doing, getting off in Longview....

 

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Are there trees in the Austin area? Are trees part of the COTA plan?