US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation...

Thank you COTA for a fantastic weekend. The race, facilities, and organization was excellent and should only be better next year since they have an entire year to adjust for any minor issues they had this year. The Fan Fest in downtown Austin was a blast as well, too bad I didnt book for any of the celebrations happening tonight. Going to make the trip every year. Only suggestions I would have for COTA is more food vendors in the bleacher and GA areas, and double or triple the capacity of the pedestrian bridges with a divider for direction. Other then that, the experience was above par. Even after the race, i couldn't believe how fast I was able to make it to the toll road.

 

Yee haw!!!!

I'd say this whole thing turned into a HUGE success for everyone involved.

Helped too that it was probably the most exciting race of the year without and screwups/drama.

Proud to be a Texan.

 

Don't be shy folks, there's plenty of crow to go around. Help yourselves to all you can eat and then some.

 

Thanks Austin!!!
I had a great time, the whole city came together and made the event work I was very impressed.

 

Yes, thank goodness for that late infusion of Mexican drug cartel money.

 

+1

We had an absolutely fabulous time! I'm originally from Austin so am not surprised at how well the city handled the event. In fact, I'm quite proud of my old home town. Everyone was so worried it would be a failure but it was the complete opposite. I made a point to speak with as many tourists as possible and sentiment was unanimously positive.

Transportation in and out was very easy for us (parking pass). It took us a whopping 25 min to go from the track post-race to my buddy's house near Zilker Park. What happened to all those issues getting in and out of the track people were so worried about? We did it all three days and had zero problem.

There were really only two issues we could observe - long lines for concessions and long lines for merchandise. They probably could've made a lot more $$$ this weekend with more vendors onsite. I'd also encourage them to bring in more local establishments for food. But really if you think about it, that's pretty darn good considering all that could've gone wrong.

For all you guys who didn't attend the race for fear of the potential "issues" really missed out. This thing went down so smoothly, it's not even funny and it will continue to get better every year. This will be an annual tradition for me, I can assure you.

 

I suggest we leave it open till all naysayers that volunteered they would "Eat Crow" come forward and send photos of their gourmet meal ;-)

Oh yea Mexican Boat-tailed Grackles are a good substitute if you can't find crow.

 

I took all three modes of transportation available with the following results:

Friday: Shuttle bus from Exposition Center east of town. Arrived and parked at 7:30, walked up to bus right away arrived at track in short order, walk was a bit long but made it into Main grandstand suite by 9am. Began walking to shuttle to head back to shop around 3:30pm and returned right at 5pm so each way total travel time was about 1.5 hours

Saturday: Choppered in with the rich and famous, left home in West lake and arrived at helipad east of town 30 min drive and waited an hour to take off for 15min flight then 5 min shuttle to Main grandstand suite, about the same wait back and travel time so about 1 hour 50 min ea way

Sunday: Parking Pass Section A, left home late at 8:15 and arrived in time to eat breakfast tacos and drink bloody mary's in the plaza then head over to our seats at turn 12 and watch RedCar take home a second place win in FChallenge. After the F1 race, we listened to all interviews and then walked from 12 to our lot over by MG lot A and arrived home in 45 minutes

All three modes worked great.

 

I'll take my share of roast crow with a slice of humble pie for desert.

 

I need some crow.

 

table for one here... the crow special please...

all went better than expected, thumbs up Austin.

 

Way back, somebody compared the time frame with that of the India track and said if they could do it so could we. Who was that guy?

 

I was surprised too! Formula Run was a nightmare getting in and out. Here's my experience on shuttle vs. parking: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=141906298&postcount=151

 

There was significant deflection of the grandstands in some turns. I heard several people mention it. From scary to 'disconcerting/worrisome'.

Everything else was awesome. As mentioned above, Cota II knocked it outa the park IMO. Huge congratulations to those that made this happen so seemlessly for most fans.

 

Not a defect but a "feature"

 

I am the 20%.....well done with a Shiner, please.

Well done, COTA and Austin!

 

Hey hey hey! This isn't Burger King, where you have it your way! You'll take the crow however it's served!

 

A friend of mine went to the race with her boyfriend. This was their first race ever and she is by no means a car person. She said they both had a great time and would go again. This is huge. Great job Austin and COTA.

-F

 

My experience was..............

Thursday: I foundout that DF1 had graciously mailed his tickets to me at 10am and I was on the road later that evening with BigTex and Valery. We arrived around 9pm at BigTex's friends house and we drank and bs'd and hit 'The Broken Spoke' which is an Austin institution. Had a great time and I realized with all the "Candy" I need to learn how to country dance lol.

Friday: Sharon drops me off, as she had to work, and I bike to the bicycle/shuttle park. I was relegated to sitting on the steps but struckup a great conversation with the driver who was also from Houston and very cool. BigTex had given me a race flyer but I walked the entire track and eventually met up with him and Valery and then made it too my seat a few minutes practice started which were great seats. I learned after the first car came by that I forgot my ear plugs at home and would learn later that evening that I had forgotten my sun screen aswell as I am as red as a tomatoe and blistered.

I take the shuttle to downtown and hit Shultz's for the first time ever. I made my way to the outside patio and order a beer and then look around for a seat and spot one. I go over and ask if he does not mind if I join him, help yourself he says. This old boy goes by Tex and his lady friend is Montana but Tex is Willie Nelsons identical twin and eventually I bring that up. Shortly before BigTex and Sterling get there he starts showing me pictures of him and Willie and Neil Young onstage from the '70s. Great night.

Saturday: We arrived late simply because we wanted to catch the historics race more than anything. AWESOME!!!

Sunday: I arrive at the track and get dropped off at the gate entrance to my seat and my ticket is gone!!!! I got 'jacked' because my was in the same inside pocket they had been in for friday and saturday. I am pissed so I try calling BigTex with no luck and another person because I know my exact seating but without the purchase name on the ticket I was screwed. Turns out BigTex had access to lost tickets which I could have gotten one but the seed was sown.

I took the shuttle pack into town and went to Shultz's for a cold beer and caught the last 27 laps on the big screen tv. I made a few new friends because at the bar it was I and 4 attractive lady's. The bartender was a dear and I asked her about where I need to catch the bus back to my host's house but at the end of her shift she offered me a ride and dropped me of right in front of the house, she was so very cool.
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More pics. Sorry they are cellphone pics so the quality of some are subpar.
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A few more.

In closing if I may just say that I had the best weekend I have had in along time and it would not have been possible without DF1,BigTex,Valery,Sterling,Sharon and Eric who delivered the tickets.

As with any new track there are details that need to be worked out but overall what a fantastic track and layout we have. I will be back every year if I can.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrjTNe8LrXM