US GP Austin 2013 Advise

I'll try out the Austin GP this year for the first time. Will be an interesting experience to compare it with all the other GPs I've been to (this is my 25th, jubilee, yeah!).

From what I've learned so far, it stinks that they only sell ticket as 3 day packages (I love to buy a different seat for every day to see them from different spots).

Also transportation seems to be an issue, but I'll withhold judgement until I made the trip. It does seem off though that taxis can't deliver you straight to the entrance as in most other venues.

 

25 GPs. Very nice. Hope to match that someday. Austin 2013 will be my 3rd. Maybe Montreal & Mexico City next year will be my 4th & 5th (2 in Montreal, 2 in Austin, 1 in MXC).

 

You think there is going to be a Mexican GP?

I would love it, but I didn't hear anything tangible to that end.

Go to Europe, Monaco or Barcelona are my fav tracks there.

 

Yeah I think Mexico will happen & NJ likely won't. Should know with certainty soon enough.

Can't wait to attend European GPs.

 

Well, Spa in Belgium is an incredibly beautiful venue. You can be within the confines of the course, walking along a trail through a fantastic forest, with the whine & roar of the cars echoing off the trees. The elevation changes there are amazing, too.
And nearby is all the history of the Battle of the Bulge to add to the intrigue of the location.

 

While that is all true it is also logistically one of the most difficult GPs to visit as it is located far away from a big city with hotels, restaurants etc. Plus there are only a few smaller roads leading to the track.

That's why I haven't dared yet to go for a GP there (I did visit the place "off season"). However I'm making travel preparations to finally take the plunge next year and go straight into the lion's den. Geez, I survived Silverstone, so how hard can it be...

 

Stadium People, that's the ushers to the stands.

They are supposed to check all tickets.

I have been able to "look for someone", or maybe "take a look at the viewpoint for future purchase" if they are agreeable.. but no way count on wandering in as the event nears, and sitting in a reserved seat.

 

They do it's just still a long walk, that's also the issue with the independent parking 'next door to the Track"..I saw plenty of older folk, ladies dressed in heels etc, and walking a mile down a Farm to Market road, and then another mile to get to the Track fence, and then another mile to your seat....that's hard on the Loubatins

 

Yeah, the plan is for my 1st two Euro GPs to be then Monza on the same trip, with lots of good travel in between.

 

Yeah like we said above, the F1 event is much tougher in that regard, but Stadium People has been very chilled out during the other events. During those events, not even the permanent GSs have filled up, and the management needs butts in seats to make it all look good for the gubment subsidy, so they just look the other way as people file in with their GA tickets.

 

Wow, why would anyone dress like that for the event and then walk a mile to the gate in their pretty shoes? Crazy. The only people I saw dressed to impress were the nouveau riche Paddock Club fodder, but they get good parking & shuttles that drop right outside the Pit Building.

Good point about the taxis. They can drop people. It's just that the Taxi dropoff/pickup is out by the shuttle lot, ~3/4 from the Grand Plaza down a gravel path.

 

I dunno but I'd want her as MY date next year...

*dodging thrown shoe*

 

Had a great time at USGP last year. Posted all about my experience here: US Grand Prix: Friday Night Update - SoCal Speed SceneSoCal Speed Scene, US Grand Prix - Saturday Update: Qualifying - SoCal Speed SceneSoCal Speed Scene, & US Grand Prix - Wrap Up - SoCal Speed SceneSoCal Speed Scene

Main points: logistics were better than I expected, commuting from San Antonio was a pretty good idea and easy to do, and the track has great sightlines & is easily walkable - I spent little time in my seats.

 

For the more attractive of us or those with attractive significant others...

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I'm not sure if we talked about it here already or not, but 1-day tickets have gone on sale at the COTA/USGP Ticketmaster sales portal.

Looks like sales are pretty slow in turns 3,4,5,9, & 11. That's where the single-day seats are being sold:

Tickets | Formula 1 United States Grand Prix 3 Day Race Weekend - Austin TX at Ticketmaster

 

They are selling parking tickets at lot Q for 60 buck. Anyone know where that is? There are general directions on the COTA site but nothing on the map.

 

If I remember correctly from last year, I think Q was in a field in the vicinity of Turn 1 along Elroy Rd.

 

Just odd they don't show it. Thanks

 

I believe you take a tram to get to it.

 

Q is down the road...If you have GA tickets and the shuttle ride, it doesn't seem to add much benefit.
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I stand corrected. Given where Q is shown on that map, that doesn't seem like a good deal. Last I looked, L was still available. That's where I parked last year. From that lot, you can be inside within 5 min from leaving your car.

 

I'm thinking of getting General Admission tickets. I'm fine finding a plot of grass/dirt and watching the race. My question is: are there enough good vantage points and places to sit with good views with GA tickets? Or will I be fighting to find a good place to watch the race with GA?

Thanks,
Bill

 

I have a reservation at the Red Roof Inn for Thursday Night, Friday Night, and Saturday Night at the Red Roof Inn in Round Rock. I booked it before the F1 date was confirmed, so the rate I have locked in is on par with a "normal" weekend.

It looks like I may not be able to make it to Austin until Saturday, so I'm making other lodging arrangements. If anyone is interested in assuming that reservation, PM me with an offer. I'd rather get some great tickets and onsite parking for it than cash.

If I'm breaking any rules here, please slap my wrists.

 

Sure, there are open areas right below the VIP boxes in many areas, Turns 1 and 2.

 

I went for GA tickets too, as I walked all over the track last year, and enjoyed it.
I havenot received my tickets yet. Bought them many months ago from the COTA website.
Has anyone received them yet?