Are driver autographs possible to get in Austin? I'd like to get the Hulk's on a 2015 Porsche 919 LeMans poster; already have the other 2 drivers from a Road America visit.
The autograph lines are pretty frantic, each team alotted a very brief time, 30 minutes? IIRC, the PSL holders are first in line....
As a first-timer at COTA, here are some questions: 1. For off-track shuttles, I've seen the Austin Convention Center as a starting point. Are there any other shuttle departure points? 2. Is there a dedicated vendor area at the track? Montreal had one in the infield with quite a selection, though there were other vendors scattered about. 3. Where is the paddock for the Masters GP vintage racers, and how accessible is it?
If you happen to be here on Thursday, you may want to try the Fan Forum -- Hulk is one of the one of the panelists this year. It's on Rainey St by the convention center, it's free, and usually a lot less crowded than the on-track autograph sessions. Austin Fan Forum Returns during 2015 Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix - Ready, Steady, Austin!
There is a shuttle for people parking at the remote lot, but other than that it's only from the convention center. You have to buy tickets in advance, otherwise it's $25 for walk-ups this year (used to be free, then $10, still $10 if you buy in advance) Yes, the Grand Plaza has a collection of vendors. The support paddock is usually just east of T13, accessible from the infield if you take the bridge from near the tower and keep walking east. Don't know if it will be open, though. Love the historic racers, that's almost my favorite part now simply because of the sound!
Came yesterday note the ADA parking. I will have room if any want to ride Image Unavailable, Please Login
Just came here to post about this... The "Express' bus drops you off by the Grand Plaza. The 'Standard' bus drops you off out in the boonies, a 30+ minute walk away from the Grand Plaza entrance (about twice as far as the long walk to Lot F). God help you if you take the Standard bus and your seats are anywhere but T12 or 15. You're looking at a very long walk. ****Here's the important bit, though...as hookem noted, if you want the $10 'Standard' service, tickets are available only via online pre-order, and only through this Sunday, 18 October. After that your only shuttle option will be the $25 'Express' bus. Tickets for the Express bus will be available online and at the Convention Center on the days of the event.**** If you want Shuttle service this year and you wait beyond the 18th to purchase it, you'll be left with no choice but to buy the more expensive $25 per person Express option. Vance has written up a nice piece covering all the shuttle and parking options for this year's USGP, with links to various COTA pages on the topic. Racing Texas: Have you Weighed your 2015 USGP Transportation and Parking Options? If you opt for the $10 Standard shuttle, you'll be dropped off at the McAngus Road shuttle lot (the unmarked gray shape in the top left corner of this map). Re: the support paddock where the Porsches and Historics will be, in the past it's been closed for the USGP, which is really a shame. One of the highlights of my trip to the Canadian GP was walking around the Historic paddock talking to the owners and snapping pics of their cars.
The entire east side of the track is great (T2-11). There are fewer grandstands in the way this year as well, only at T4, 5 and 9, and they're all smaller.
They just gave away FREE Sunday GA tickets to all Volunteers, if that says anything about ticket sales......
ALL good!! I am back working full time again, in construction, and I will be around COTA, and downtown, all weekend. I think that "unlabeled grey area" on that graphic is also the Taxi drop off, from downtown... I did caution folks that only certain taxis are licensed to drop off? I am not sure how one would know that but to ask. Hotel shuttles allowed?? I really do hate to be frozen out of the COTA information flow as I tried to bring it all in here! Then, for the Volunteers to get TWO free tickets (and she isn't even working as I can not!) boy, they really have impressed me! Wait until I see Mario.....
At Lemans (last year) they did not even turn the screens on, that side. Campers had no feed......licensing fees were cited, as cause... Sterling said "to &^% with it", he's going to the Harvest Vintage Motorcycle Classic instead, leaving me the house, with the Swedish girls....
Same this year. In fact, same at pretty much any race other than Moto or F1. Such bull****. Last year at WEC my son & I were out at T9 when he realized he needed to go to the restroom. I looked a bit and realized the nearest facilities were the portapotties on the other side of the bridge near the tower or the permanent restrooms at T1. Unbelievable. I just told him to go behind a tree. There were no trees, so he just went out in the field behind T7 where the beer garden goes. Good thing he only needed to go #1. The only facilities in the whole place were at the Main GS, T1, and the Grand Plaza. Re: Sales,and the ticket giveaway, yeah, it's ... not good. And you can bet they'll count those tickets as tickets sold.
See Post #43, and she has a little sister.. OK, looks like Thursday, Broken Spoke has Two Tons of Steel. Friday night, Saxon Pub for happy Hour 6PM, with Denny Freeman, later at 10PM Mike Barfield at Continental Club. Those from a quick search, but, so far so good!!
*thumbs up* I need to tell you the best way into the Track, although Lot B is golden. I always go in past Del Valle schools, it's a stop light on Hwy 71, (turn south) east of the Toll Way. From there, you turn left at the Texaco, and down that road, a right turn takes you to the North Track Entrance. I could get a map for you. Never much traffic from that way, in fact early AM it's a nice drive...
Hi all, First time attending Austin F1. Does anyone know if a Thursday schedule has been posted yet? I'm trying to find out when/where autograph signings will happen and what time the paddock is open to the ticket holders. Thanks
COTA has no mention of Thursday on their schedule, but F1.com does. United States timetable Pit Lane Walk is from 4-6PM.
Wonder if any of these will make it to the resale market. Saturday and Sunday tickets are still a little higher than I'd expect on Stubhub (although Friday tickets are super cheap).
Thanks! What does "promoter activity" mean? I have Grandstand 12 seats. Do I need additional tickets for the pit lane walk?
The Support Paddock is alongside the T12-T13 short chute. Access is primarily via the road that runs right by there. It's a bit of a hike from anywhere. In 2013, we raced their with a Historics group, mostly a collection of cool vintage formula cars, but I think only 1-2 ex F1 cars. In 2014 Porsche brought the Supercup, which was quite the circus in the paddock and in the races (no ABS in those cars, so T12 was very very entertaining). Unfortunately, access to the support paddock was brutally strict the last 3 years. Drivers and crews had to get personalized badges with photos, and we were literally limited to the support paddock. "Spectators" were not allowed, unless you had hospitality passes for the Ferrari Challenge or Porsche Supercup hospitality suites. We figured out how to sneak some people in (once you're "in", it's easy) but security was very heavy-handed. Our passes equally were useless, unless you had a grandstand or GA or suite pass, you literally could only go OUT. I am unsure if it will be any different this year, but frankly most of us have had it with being an undercard at COTA. We referred to it as "Paddock Island", where nobody can escape. Glad we're not racing there this year (it's Supercup and Masters). In contrast, Canada F1 is a superb event. Paddocks open to the public, the officials are firm but professional and flexible, and the mood is more relaxed and fun. Canada is also a bit cramped, but it's small enough you can navigate around easily. COTA is much more militaristic.
