COTA 2019: Pre - Race thread

This will be my first race, looking forward to the weekend! We'll be in Grandstand 12.

 

Updated weekend schedule, Kool and the Gang after the race, autograph sessions, etc.

http://ea80e97cace747c2c244-5483548c70a81fe49af7816b21fff1c8.r64.cf1.rackcdn.com/2019-Schedule-USGP.pdf

 

My 1st F1 race and 1st time at COTA. I was gifted tickets in the main grand stand for all 3 days for my wife and I. I also have a handicap parking pass so hopefully I will be able to park at the Main Grand Stands and have an easy walk in.

I have a full above knee prosthetic leg...left leg. How far a walk is it from main grand stands to Grand F1 Fan Zone at turn 15? I do good walking about a mile or 2 then it starts getting tough.

 

Are there any Ferrari owners / FCA events?I’m still planning on going. Assuming I can pull myself away from the Pista that landed in my garage yesterday

 

From the main grandstand to the fan zone is a short and easy walk. When you go in the main gates the fan zone is visible to the left, but you'll go straight ahead to the main grandstand. I'd say 1/4 mile at most.

 

I've got two 3day passes avail in the FCA section.

Turn 12 Section 3 Row 24

Nice and high, great view of the long back straight into turn 12, double hairpins into the Carousel.

(I'm going to sit with some other Tifosi adjacent in Section 4)

I also may have two extra seats avail for the FCA Banquet Friday evening at the Austin Country Club.

PM me if interested.

 

Can't wait to go! Any idea the best way to parking lot L? Driving up from Austin of course. Staying at Aloft on 7th street.

We'll be sitting in T4 section 1. Wife's first car race ever!

 

You both have fun man, i took my wife a few years back, fun event!

 

Kimi into fashion? Whodathunkit! I think a vodka distillery is more up his alley.

 

Those tickets should have a Lot A Parking Pass and of course the WC spots are right in front row.

As for T15, from there, use the Track Shuttle.

The general areas are to me, MGS and up to T1
Turns 12 thru 19 are all grouped around the Grand Plaza vendor area
Every where else! LOL!

Turn 11 is a LONG way from T20 thru T1 main straight.
RV camping is up on the hill outside of the Turn 4 Gate, and the T3 thru 4,5,6 chicane complex is a nice viewing area.

They have added Trackside Suites and hospitality for what T 8 or T9, and that's a cool place but a long way from the denser entertainment.
You will find the Main Grandstand with various food vendors, the 2nd Level Velocity Lounge, is a really complete place to view.

I will probably put my contact info up here, as I am not working this weekend and be glad to help anyone with special needs or wants to go see "secret stuff"....

 

The Track is 3.4 miles long

135' feet of elevation change

 

The Hill Country Chapter FCA Reception on Friday night at Harvey Pennicks Country Club is a MUST DO event, but presale is $150 a seat it's a formal dinner, and at this point you would maybe need to find Andy Fish on Facebook with an urget request for the purchase link.

It's too complex to share here, and the event is FCAs, not mine.
Andy is the right kind of Chapter President though.
Don't think he would turn an owner away...

When I bought my tickets two weeks ago it showed 5 remaining....

 

There will be signs..

Basically Highway 71 East from downtown, you cannot miss the signage to Kellums road, which goes right into track, Lot L is off Elroy Road.
I will say "go early" as it will be worse as the day grows, and all those fashionably late millennials see traffic for miles....

Also be aware no food or drinks in or out, so a nice breakfast in a sack and coffee should be bought in town.
IMO

Tailgating is of course allowed and acceptable.
The RV lot (Lot N) has it down pat!!!

 

Has anyone done the Thursday afternoon 'pit walk'? I landed some complimentary passes but don't want to make the effort if it's superficial.

Cannot wait. Second year in a row now. Turn 12 grandstand here we come!

 

Oh no, the Pit Walk is first rate.

They open the gates from Main Grandstand, and you go across and walk past all of the teams on the Inside of the Track wall.
Usually drivers are there....not always.

Use any Pass like that that falls your way.

Once Race Day is HOT the Paddock Access is almost impossible without proper credentials.
Thru Tunnel 1 they may close pedestrian access, and there's another check point to turn into the Paddock itself from Inner Road.

Past that is the fuel, so they will get cranky about looky lou's at that point.
Now, they may allow pedestrians thru the tunnel as that's actually the ONLY way from MGS to the Fan Zone, without leaving perimeter and riding Track Shuttle.