Thank you (and everyone else) for the useful info. I finally got an email from COTA today with parking info, and I chose another option that suited me better, since I really didn't want to go downtown. There is a park & ride lot on FM973 just west of the Elroy Road exit (451) off of TX-130. They have shuttle bus service to the McAngus Road drop-off point, and it's only $30 for the whole weekend. I know it means a bit of a walk to the track, but I probably walked that far from the Metro station in Montreal! And since I'll be coming up 130 from my hotel in Seguin, it seemed like the best option for me.
It's staggering what these people don't 'get'. And yeah, I loved visiting the support paddocks in Montreal.
Its the Bernie syndrome... lock down the Paddock to keep the rifraff out.... I remember when you could go to an F-1 paddock and stand there all day watch the cars get prepped and actually see the drivers come and go. even today ( unless you have a full FIA credential) if you are in the Paddock the only time you see a driver is them going and leaving the garage... and then down at the press media corral...last year we met Nico at Mercedes - with Toto W. and they were exceptionally nice but Hamilton came walking in brezed right past us no notice, no smile etc... Toto was right there - did not even look at him. Lauda has not changed - he's still arrogant but will at least acknowledge you. That they support race paddocks are all locked down is crazy to me. In reality nobody is there for the support races... its just for fun.
ok - so a "flip side" to the lockdown BS. Once you're "in".... In Montreal for the past 3 years, as a driver I've had track access on Thursdays. Essentially, we do the track walk, sometimes using a golf cart. I usually bring my daughters with me... My 2 daughters (huge fans) have met just about every driver in the paddock. This year, Nico Rosberg pulled up from his run to spend about 10 minutes talking to them; Felipe Massa and Ricciardo could not have been nicer. Kimi was downright chatty, as was Vettel. I let my 13 year old drive the golf cart, she nearly ran Charlie Whiting over (it was his fault). Alonso was grumpy, but accommodating....(the kids were wearing all Ferrari gear...). My oldest is a serious kart racer and now has her helmet signed by everyone on the Montreal grid...plus Gutierrez....except Hamilton. The ONLY driver who ignored the kids (they were the only people on the track for 100m in either direction, and frantically waving and screaming) was Lewis, as he drove by on his golf cart. At this point, Lewis could cure cancer and end world hunger and my kids will always think he's just an a__. (FWIW - in Austin, we get track walk access, but they check your credentials every 100m, you have to walk (no golf carts) and we get 45 minutes....it's a long walk. "No fun")
A couple of more questions: 1. What food concessions at the track are recommended? I imagine that BB brisket must be pretty good.... 2. Any suggestion as to a place to eat in Austin on Saturday evening that is good and not too pricey? I used to go to Crescent St. in Montreal after Saturday's race activities.
1. I rarely eat any of the food at COTA as it's just too damn expensive, so I can't give a reliable recommendation except to eat a big breakfast or lunch before you get there, and sneak in some snacks in the bottom of a backpack. They only check the top of whatever you have in there from what I've seen. 2. If you're talking about downtown food, I can't recommend too much that's very good AND not too pricey. I guess it depends on what's "too pricey" to you though. I can tell you I've never, not ever, been disappointed at Eddie V's. Just fantastic. Seafood, steaks, great drinks & appetizers, and a great relaxed atmosphere with a friendly and expertly attentive staff. They are my #1 downtown Austin food recommendation, without a doubt. Also, don't tell anyone, but there's a BBQ trailer on S. Lamar that rivals any of the bigger names in Austin, and you don't have to wait in huge lines. It's called Brown's BBQ, and it sits in front of the Corner Bar. For some great Cajun, I recommend Evangeline Cafe on Brodie Lane in South Austin. It's not in downtown, but it's only about a 15 minute drive away. Fantastic, and usually has top live music acts in the restaurant. https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/orf9_FoA6Fq5ugDw8sEpZjAEfYs=/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3883792/10644862_892476414098064_7565481149179800920_n_1_.0.jpg
Has anyone gotten a renaissance confirmation number? This is the first time I have used the hotels for hope service.
Again, thanks for the info. I am going to eat lunch at the track, even if it is a bit pricey. Here's a link to a better event schedule: Circuit of The Americas Experiences
Can't remember if I already posted this...The Senna Hall of Fame Collection debuts in Austin The Senna Hall of Fame Collection debuts in Austin - Formula 1 News
That's similar to a Gilles Villeneuve collection that I saw in downtown Montreal on GP weekend in 2010. No doubt this will follow the circus down to Mexico City (presumably) and Sao Paolo.
She got the bang of pads and diapers. If you are really interested I could do a YouTube diaper change. Here is mom. Sitter will have to wait Image Unavailable, Please Login
There are a bunch of food outlets along the track. I did not eat at any of them, we were trying to walk the whole track during the Ferrari challenge practice ... but its a long way! as for Austin - Perla's seafood -is very good, its probabbly a bit pricey- but frankly everythin in Austin is double or triple the cost during the F-1 weekend. there was also a good italian place right down the street from the amber lounge and Hampton Inn... forget the name but it was not too expensive.. and actually pretty good. we spent one night and did the down town fair... eat from food trucks... terrible... but interesting... Just shows that what I thought would have been fun 20 years ago is now awful!
Heh. You should have seen Austin 20 years ago. No food trucks, about 1/4 the traffic, and soooo much more laid back. I'll bet you would have loved it. I know I did. But anyway... Re: the prices going up during F1, I don't think that's so much the case for restaurants. Downtown restaurants here are just expnsive all the time nowadays. The downtown hotels do raise their rates for all the big events, but there's still lots of availability in the area throughout the weekend (228 hotels with Fri-Mon rooms starting below $60).
^^^Oops, wrong weekend. Should say 228 hotels starting at $93. Cheaper rates if you need fewer nights. Hotels.com - hotels in Austin, Texas, United States of America
Most of the vendors are ok, but smaller versions of local Austin places. The T1 building has a good local grill in it. I will post up on some downtown places, or come South of the River to see what I call "real Austin"..Matt's El rancho on South Lamar, El Mercado on South First. I will just post my phone number! The Big Green House is a stone's throw from Lucy's Chicken, on South Congress. South Congress, at Live Oak stoplight.
A trip to El Gallo, from the dorm was "dining out"... Wait sorry that's FORTY years ago....off to my HS Reuninon tonight!! Time flies...
