Awesome Tom. That's the way to do it if you can get the passes. Thanks from me too for the pix. Great stuff. Wasn't there a rumor a while back (possibly from you!) that Coke were looking very seriously at getting involved 'big time' with someone? Even awesomer! Super cool! Even with 'decent' TV coverage (and as I'm sure you've read, that proved more than a little difficult here!) you simply can't 'get it' on the tube. Being in the paddock/pits gives a whole other perspective and incite. Mind me asking roughly how many guests Lotus entertained? Cheers, Ian
Tom - great experience!! Thanks for sharing - we'll meet up down the road Still full from non stop BBQ & sushi Kevin
Lotus said they had 300 people - I think it was more like 150 or so ... on race day the Paddock Club was packed ... Pit lane and grid was crazy.... and HOT. Coke has been persued for years about being a major sponsor but from their marketing folks its not on the agenda - but water and energy drinks are... so the brands may show up from time to time. Coke has the concessions contract for COTA as well. Pepsi had it last year.
Definately! On Thursday we walked the track - paying for it now - broken heel spur - but great time! some more pics... Selfies of the clebs... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks. That's an awfully big spend on hospitality! Ouch if you're Pepsi! I wonder how much that little deal cost!?...... Somewhat related, I did notice there was no "title sponsor" for the race. I wonder if COTA were simply asking for too much money? Cheers, Ian
Awesome shots Tom! I might have a shot or two of you in the background somewhere. Formation lap takeoff and circus roundup [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDv8XNtiApo]F1 formation lap and circus roundup - YouTube[/ame] View from the main grandstand [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvYduGabUIQ]F1 from main grandstand - YouTube[/ame]
One other thing; this was our morning drink at the circuit; Bloody Mary, also had a cota flame, I have never been to a sporting event in the last 10 plus years where you can buy drinks that come in a real glass. Everything is plastic now, for safety reasons. I guess Texas is different....great souvenioir though! Kevin Image Unavailable, Please Login
It was a great weekend as always. Definitely more crowded than last year! In addition to enjoying the Ferrari paddock club I also had the chance to meet some great drivers and celebs. Alonso, Massa, Button and Hami to name a few plus the occasional celeb like Gordon Ramsey and Gerard Butler. If you have the opportunity to be in the paddock club in Austin next year ... it's a definite "must do." Great racing, great views, great environment and just an awesome weekend as a whole! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Totally agree... I think I passed right by you - I remember your blue Ferrari jacket... it was an awsome time! My only regret ( small one) is that I did not have Lauda sign my copy of Mein Storie... he was busy and blew me off... but none the less next time. On Friday we were at the "sky box" on turn 20 - so we had a number of COTA flames... they were not actually bad... I love Tito's vodka... drank that all night...
I'm sure I'm one of the people on the balcony - Louts Hospitality was above the Mercedes garage... Lotus was a bit further down on the right...
None of my friends will appreciate this - and since we are sharing seflies =) Here are a couple of mine. I think I love these guys more then I should, they are so incredibly nice! Image Unavailable, Please Login
They are nice guys- we had drinks with Varsha on Friday night... supposed to see Hobbs but he was with you!
No, historic F1 did not race 3 weeks ago. That was "U.S. Vintage Racing". "Historic Grand Prix" is the group that raced in 2012. COTA treated the support groups pretty poorly and they decided not to repeat due to the poor treatment combined with the inflated prices. Note that neither Historic Grand Prix nor Pirelli Cup repeated for 2013. So sad, I really enjoy Historic Grand Prix. I wouldn't be surprised. They have a reputation for not being business friendly. Perhaps a bit arrogant. But consider, they are making money between the concerts and the pro races. I don't know, I think they need better management and should be more customer friendly.
200+ USGP Friday photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.744000748947806.1073741942.157330087614878&type=1 Here are a few...
Yep, as you say, SVRA raced there, and it was an awesome event. The Historic GP & Formula Vintage are not the same, & FV really doesn't hold a candle to HGP imho. They were hastily added to the schedule when COTA released a schedule with only one support series & people began crying foul. One of the main reasons HGP didn't return is because a big part of who those guys are revolves around allowing fans into their paddock to see the cars very up close and personal-like. COTA denied them that ability, so they said "Well, bye". Hell, I had an F1 Paddock Pass last year & couldn't even get into the support paddock to see the Historics. Just add them to the list of series COTA has run off in 1 year. V8SC, SCCA, HGP, apparently Porsche Cup, and almost WEC. We heard during WEC weekend that FIA WEC said they wouldn't be back to this track under the same management. Maybe they meant Steve Sexton. Was he thrown under the bus to keep WEC and as a gesture to keep the investors from going nuts?
Doing what? His thing is F1 and Fox is out of that business. I'd miss him more than any of the others, as much as I like them
Not my video, but in car from the historics race. They start rolling at 3m55s. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uTGtjCuz0E[/ame]
It's not my position to state what Bob is working on - but he's talking to NBC, Speed etc... so its a tight market. I think he misses F-1 - he and Hobbs are best friends - very close so it has to hurt. I have to think that Leigh is staying - he's good, young and frankly just as knoledgable as Bob... its all about style.... he's probabbly cheaper too. I do know that they are all friends so it makes the negotiations more difficult. I know Steve had some family - ill parents and he lives in France so who know how long he can keep that up. I know Bob is not going away but not sure F-1 will be in the immediate future other than filling in from time to time. My personal hope is that NBC would expand to 4 guys - have Varsha do a best of recap show, and then Varsha do some work on Velocity - Fox is out of racing other than Nascrap...