US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation...

I don't think it sold out but if it did it could be scalpers.

 

If you look on the COTA website, or any of their postings on facebook/twitter, they never use the term "sold out". They say GA ticket sales have "closed". I take this to mean they might open them again, or sell single day GA tickets at a later date. Some have speculated it's a marketing tactic to create the illusion of scarcity, while others think there might actually be a GA cap due to the permits limiting total attendance at any time at 120K (and they've added lots of GS seating).

 

That is a load of BS. I think they are trying to sell out the GS first, but because everyone is going for the GA, they closed them. I can't believe I did not buy them a month ago.

 

You and me both...

Keeping the faith - OR, cancelling a hotel room!

 

I just spoke with CoTA on the phone and they told me that all GA tickets are sold out! They have a cap of GA tickets they can sell and they have reached it. Also they informed me that even if my 3 year old will sit in my wife's lap the entire time, or more likely she will be chasing him around, I need to buy him a full price ticket.
I have hard time keeping my kids in one place for more than 10 minutes and for me the GA tickets are pretty much the only option.
So I plead to anyone who can get me any help of obtaining 3 GA tickets to contact me.
TIA

 

Sorry to hear about your situation but that is great news for COTA and Austin!

..as for the pundits, I already know that we should all wait for the 2013 New Jersey Grand Prix which will be 10 times better, that Hoboken is far more interesting (people and sites) than Austin and they know how handle large crowd (unlike our small university town)...

there again...http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/06/new-jersey-grand-prix-highly-unlikely-for-2013-says-ecclestone.html

 

Good, I was worried for a minute they wouldn't sell any tickets, cause they weren't doing any marketing

Less than 3 months.....

from the FofF1 austin FB

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=505350726146144&set=a.161638520517368.39180.157330087614878&type=1&theater
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Somehow I dont think an F1 race is a good place to take a restless 3 y/o. The cars are ear splitting loud and scary for young ones

 

I think we should start a separate thread since this one is pretty dense.

 

Not a bad idea.

 

My older son did 120mph on his way home from the hospital the day after he was born. He was 1 year old when he attended his first F1 race and last year took a 23 hours flight time to visit his grandparents like a champ, sleeping through the take offs and landings.
Taking my kids there is not a problem. Finding the tickets is.

 

...please tell us you were on a track....

 

I'll plead the fifth on that one.

 

Ok guys, Here's the down low on three day access, they are taking VOLUNTEERS to run the event, you have to create a user name in that website.

THEN they send you an email asking WHERE you want to work....shuttle stops, whatever...

I just went in (and took Valeria too) as "Wayfinders at Circuit of the Americas" all three days....

6AM to 6PM shift, and you have to be able to be on your feet for that time, I'm assuming I get to take lunch and a break now and then.....

323 positions left, as I post this on Saturday 8/11/12.

I'm "IN".......

 

"Bagsy drive the safety car!"

Oh wait!


Bernd Maylander's beat Me to it!



"I call Shotgun!"


What? -That's gone as well?! - Man.... I just can't catch a break!

 

I haven't seen many photo updates recently on this thread, so I thought I'd add some current construction progress images. On August 10, COTA conducted their last tours prior to the track completion (so they can focus 100% on accelerated construction, according to them). But plenty of media got to tour just before that.

<100 days left, I wonder how they are doing compared to India or South Korea. Here are a bunch of photos. Sorry if you've all seen them already.

Turn 1 as viewed from the starting grid! If you forget miss the turn, perhaps you can jump over Elroy (courtesy of Friends of Formula 1 FB page)
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/259465_507544545926762_1364571673_o.jpg

Aerial views, courtesy of DrivingXllence FB Page (http://www.facebook.com/DXLus)

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/394441_461723453861070_2134778753_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/488146_461723467194402_939280946_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/432067_461723477194401_1147471741_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578788_461723493861066_1937816767_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/539203_461723540527728_1122368466_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/386833_461723567194392_1019375739_n.jpg

From the track (courtesy of Austin American Statesman, link below)

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/08/23/00/slideshow_1002380911_MM_Circuit_of_Americas-19.JPG
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/08/23/00/slideshow_1002380858_MM_Circuit_of_Americas-18.JPG
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/08/23/00/slideshow_1002380910_MM_Circuit_of_Americas-17.JPG
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/08/23/00/slideshow_1002380855_MM_Circuit_of_Americas-13.JPG
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/08/23/00/slideshow_1002380908_MM_Circuit_of_Americas-12.JPG
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/08/23/00/slideshow_1002380854_MM_Circuit_of_Americas-10.JPG
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/08/23/00/slideshow_1002380853_MM_Circuit_of_Americas-8.JPG
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/08/23/00/slideshow_1002380883_MM_Circuit_of_Americas-4.JPG
http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/cnishared/tools/shared/mediahub/08/23/00/slideshow_1002380880_MM_Circuit_of_Americas-1.JPG

More here: http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/ ... 12/#612424

And here, from Art Nunes: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.507908509223699.128348.157330087614878&type=1
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A few more from the Friends of Formula 1 Facebook page, taken mostly around the T10/T11 area. Plus more from Art Nunes gallery on FoF1FB page. Gives a good idea of the elevation changes throughout the track which are not evident in some of the aerial views.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/430247_507028609311689_1822639303_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/533085_507035859310964_1115345558_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/562867_507028889311661_193617776_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/549611_507028719311678_547095191_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/309039_507028935978323_1295944837_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/418672_507029152644968_1002888305_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/417291_507909809223569_956209517_n.jpg
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As the track nears completion, I am reminded that the main topic of this thread a year ago was whether or not the track would be completed and a race held. Some were adamant that it would not. The aborted American Race Team (no longer remember their name) was used as an example. I was optimistic because I saw COTA led by people with resources, experience, determination, and excellent management skills. Those who don't understand the importance of project management skills in pulling off a project like this will have been caught by surprise. This project experienced at least its fair share of problems and delays, but applied good management practices and over came them. They also seem to be on track to make this more than a F1 facility that sits idle and only gets used infrequently. I expect them to be financially successful and for the race to be here for a long time. Hats off to them.

 

From the Volunteer website:

"There will be two official COTA park-and-ride shuttle locations: one at the corner of 15th and Trinity in downtown Austin, the other at the Travis County Exposition Center on 7311 Decker Lane. These shuttle buses will be the sole mode of transportation to and from the track for the majority of our guests. Volunteer duties may include directing people to the appropriate lines, answering questions, providing information, problem solving, and performing a soft security check for prohibited items. Many volunteers will ride with passengers on the shuttle to further assist guests while in transit. "

 

Are the pics real & serious from the Austin GP track???
To me, it looks more like a launching pad for the space shuttle as for a F1 car.
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Has anyone found any reasonably priced packages for the race

 

Turn 1 is going to be badass.

 

Needs to be sped up and a track map overlaid but still an interesting view as-is...

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LA9Aw7Se-0[/ame]

 

Turn 15 will be action packed, IMO.

 

Long time no hear my friend, welcome back!