COTA are idiots for sending the tickets out at the last moment. No doubt. However: They're not the only race organizer who is that stupid. It gets even worse once you go to an overseas GP because there you normally travel even earlier. When I went to the Valencia GP (good riddance!) the ticket was sent way after my departure so I spent every day on the computer/phone with DHL to reroute the ticket to the next hotel I was going to. It was insanely nerve wrecking but ultimately I got the ticket right the day before practice begun. That's why your best bet is to buy the tickets from Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website because they keep them at their booth in front of the entrance. Worked like a charm last year at Monza.
That's the same boat many coming here are in if they are coming from abroad or simply want to arrive early and spend some time in Austin, as people often do, esp this time of year.
Hi, first time attending. I have to check out of my room on Sunday before going to the track since I am leaving on a 6:45 flight later that evening. Any suggestions where I could store a carry-on size suitcase? I read the regulations and it says nothing larger than a backpack is allowed inside. I won't have a vehicle, since I plan to use the shuttle.
My flight leaves Saturday. After I check my mailbox and porch Friday afternoon and find nothing, I will be canceling my trip and changing my plane tickets to go somewhere else later. Each year will get worse, not better.
I hope you have tried Montreal. They are the exact opposite of COTA: They start communicating a year in advance. Just last week I got their latest email: Now they offer 3 different tickets for the 3 days so people get to sit in different places. As if they were reading my mind!
No storage at the track that I'm aware of. Sorry. However, you might try calling ahead or emailing them. You might also try just taking it in if they'll let you. Maybe you could explain your predicament.
Such a great option that COTA would never think to offer except in some very expensive package deal. I might go to Montreal next time just because of this option. They understand the value of a customer and that you need to provide as many options or reasons to buy as possible.
I received an email yesterday from ticketmaster saying my tickets have been printed and are on should be on its way via USPS. Hope it gets here by next Friday, I fly out Saturday. Don't they have lockers at the airports? I've never used one so I'm not sure they would have them. I tried getting on that 6:45 flight back to LA but wasn't sure id make it back to the airport in time after the race. It was also more expensive.
My tickets arrived today, along with a map, shuttle/parking instructions other info as well Take a deep breath people; if you ordered your tickets - you're going to get into the race
Scotsman - its obvious you have a serious bone to pick with COTA, because everything you post is negative, but this year they did exactly that. We bought inexpensive Sunday only tickets (turn 6, and GA), and might buy Friday or saturday depending on the mood. If you look at the facility - beer gardens, lounges with screens, bars etc, post race concert by a big time act, saturday & sunday, and track walk, they are really offering quite an experience for reasonable $$. I've been to a lot of other events and paid more, and received less..... Kevin
Not sure you got what I posted about Montreal (to which the Scotsman referred to) but what they are offering is absolutely new and unique: Montreal offers a 3 day pass where every day gives you a different grandstand. It's exactly what I'm trying to emulate by buying one day passes. But here is a race organizer who realized that there is actually a demand out there. Effen brilliant!
Hi Kevin, I purchased the 3 day GA tickets, and I won't be using my ticket on Friday. My airline sent me a message saying I will have a longer transfer wait in Phoenix. If you would like to use my Friday ticket you can. Let me know. Michael
Thanks - I'll send you a pm if needed. For Your luggage question earlier, most hotels will keep your luggage in storage for the day - that might be an option for you
That's defiantly good, but I honestly haven't been to 3 continuous days of F1 since Indy. I like the single day option. (personally) Kevin
My bone to pick with COTA is their utter ineptitude and apparent contempt for the fans. I love the track, but it's being mismanaged into oblivion. I don't write the news. They do. When there's positive news about COTA, we're all over it here: https://www.facebook.com/FoF1ATX It just so happens that right now people are interested in news about the venue, the schedule, tickets, etc, and almost all of the news surrounding those things has been unpleasant at best. In the post you quoted, we weren't talking about single day tickets, but yes, we said long ago they should offer those. No, we weren't the only ones. They started offering them for some of the smaller races, but only after weeks of slow sales of 3-day tickets. That's the same as they did this time. The one-day tickets weren't offered in the initial sale. Re: the Montreal trio option, COTA offers something similar, but only as part of a very expensive package deal (as I alluded to in the post about it): Re: beer gardens & lounges with TVs, & bars, you must be referring to the Velocity Lounge or VIP/Hospitality areas. Those are exclusive access areas & there are no such areas for the normally-ticketed fan.
Thanks - but no I was referring to the German beer garden at turn 6 (new for this year); german food, music, tvs and tables) and the adrenaline lounge in the grand plaza (full bar, mechanical bull, elevated patio seating, TV's with live feed & football) These are both fully accessible to anyone with a ticket
So that's what the platform is for at Turn 6 (replacing the bleachers that were there last year). Good to know. Mechanical bull? lol. Any idea what the platform by Turn 2 is (replacing those bleachers)?
I assume you mean the shuttle between downtown and the circuit? That means you have to come back downtown before heading out to the airport, right? The Hilton Austin is directly across the street from the shuttle pickup and drop off spot at 4th and Trinity. They are a full service hotel, so they will have bellmen, doormen, and valets outside. Hold a folded $5 bill casually in one hand, your bag in the other, and tell a bellman you'd like to store a bag for a couple of hours. They'll give you a claim check. Tip the bellman. Attend the race unencumbered. When you get back from the race, walk over to the hotel with another $5 bill and your claim check, ask them to get your bag and hail you a cab to the airport.
Jalopnik: What The Hell Is Going On With Tickets For The US Grand Prix? What The Hell Is Going On With Tickets For The US Grand Prix? Statesman: MIA F1 tickets have some fans angry MIA F1 tickets have some fans angry | Formula Austin | www.statesman.com Autoweek: Ticket distribution for Formula One's Austin race has turned into a fiasco for COTA Last year's United States Grand Prix in Austin seemed to go off without a hitch. This year though, with less than a week until the first practice, several Formula One fans are without tickets. - Autoweek
