Anyone else having trouble finding a room in Austin?

I just think this thing is going to be a complete mess the first year. It's a huge, huge event with tons of media and spectators, and participants, and people from all over the world.

And, the track isn't even finished yet.

Am I the only person who doesn't see "disaster" in the window ahead of us?

If I'm going to spend that kind of money for rooms of these prices, I'd like to make sure I actually enjoy the event and not live through it's growing pains.

If the track was finished by now and people were busy working on other tasks, I would feel more comfortable about it. But, I see nothing but a lot of last minute glitches and angry people speaking strange languages, not to mention long lines, no food, no drinks, no bathrooms etc that these things ALWAYS have problems with.

The first time you do anything it's a learning experience. I'm not interested in joining a "teaching moment".

Sorry, I'm out. I really hope it works out for those who attend and I'll try for next year. This year... TV will do just fine.

 

Which is exactly what I am doing. I am in Colorado and driving it from here. My wife wants to make it a road trip sort of thing. Six nights rental, 2500 miles and gas fits well in $2000.

 

I'm staying with my cousin at her townhouse off south Congress & 290, it helps to have family down there.

 

I got a HUGE break.

Looked the day tickets went on sale and found a Holiday Inn Express 15 miles away that took points. I ended up only cashing in part of mine and payed $40 per night.

That was a deal killer too, had I not gotten something like that it would have been 100% TV for me. IMO, there is a difference between supply and demand and just totally ****ing someone because you can.

Anyone need tickets General Admission tickets for race day? I am actually coming back home late Sat night to catch the race itself on the tube.

 

Yes, but: It irritates me to no end when the hotels don't even give you a chance at paying through the nose: When they just take their rooms off the market to make a reservation, that is just ludicrous.

I'm willing to pay mega bucks for a room in Austin, but they won't let me. Not just now, but it has been like this for months. Whereas in Montreal or NY you will always be able to find a room in town. Might cost you an arm and a leg, but at least you have a choice.

 

+1
I would anticipate this first event will be a difficult one. Even if they get the track done, it will not be a well established venue and will likely be very much a construction site in many areas. When you add new suppliers, vendors, event staff and security there are many opportunities for people to be annoyed. I don't wish to pay a premium for that experience. It might be a great event in the future, but for this year it is a miss.

......besides, I decided to go to Spa this year instead....and I didn't have to buy a seat license! Just picked my seating location and bought tickets. What a concept!

 

People looking for places to stay should also check out http://vrbo.com. They are based out of Austin, so if anything goes wrong you can just go to their office and complain

Anyway, I'm seeing condos available from $125/night for the weekend of the race. In downtown, no less. Downtown or SoCo would probably the optimal locations, you might not even need to use your rental car. Just walk or take a cab or pedicab. Other good locations that probably would be cheaper but still central enough would be Tarrytown, Travis Heights, Allendale, Northwest Hills, and the Arboretum area (probably the farthest out you want to go).

Regarding the first event, I do expect some teething pains. Long lines certainly, that is an everyday occurrence in Austin. Still, if they keep the attendance under 120K on raceday (and less on the practice days), I think it will be fine. 120K at one time is basically a UT home game -- not really a problem, happens several times per year in Austin. I realize the access to CoTA is a different animal, plus many more will come from out of town, and that's where the potential problems lie. But it's not like the city can't handle it once people get here. What could be a problem, I think, is that the total people coming into town may far exceed 120K. During SXSW, "people showing up" exceeds actual registration by at least 5:1. So hopefully that won't happen with the USGP, but it could. I think the city is overpreparing a bit with the first year in case the crowds are much larger than expected.

After their visit, the city thinks it's in better shape than Silverstone regarding traffic and access. This is because of more lanes to the facility (10 lanes at CoTA vs. 7 at Silverstone), shuttles that don't just make one way trips, and separate routes/exits for the buses. I guess you can take that for what it is worth. Check out answers #1 and #2 in particular from this page:
http://www.theaustingrandprix.com/news/2012/7/16/usgp-emergency-preparations-briefing.html#.UAW0GnBmG1w

 

Silverstone was a disaster when I went in 1997 and it was sunny. Getting into and out of the little hedge lined grass fields that served as parking lots was a joke. When 400+ cars try to squeeze through the small gap at the same time onto a two lane road that is already clogged with cars, the wait was hours. I can only imagine what it was like this year with all of the rain and cars stuck in the mud. IMO this years Silverstone will likely lend credence to the proposed London F1 event.

 

..last I checked the Jersey race isn't on the 2012 calendar (or 2013 yet) certainly Snooki and her friends are more "interesting" and Hoboken is a great place to hang out (I am sure it will be a lot cheaper than Austin too). Fortunately for us locals, plenty of other people enjoy Austin, its atmosphere and its people and the race will be a fun event!

 

Yeah, it's under 1 year now for Jersey if they were to get their 2013 slot.. and sources seem to indicate they still have not paid their sanctioning fee yet, but they still have until September to do so. Basically they have 11 months to do all road upgrades and finish the facilities. Really 9 months if they have the same 60-day-out inspection that USGP is getting. Perhaps a road course doesn't need much work and this can easily be completed in time, but I think the safe money is on 2014 or later for Jersey. http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1077311_new-jersey-f1-race-on-hold-street-circuit-not-ready

 

Just putting out a feeler to see if anyone would be interested in renting a bedroom plus private bathroom (with bathtub/shower) for the Austin F1 weekend (arrive Thurs soonest, leave Mon AM latest - but we could be flexible on that) in our Home (nothing fancy just a double bed + linens). We are located about 2 miles SW of the Hwy 79 & Hwy 130 intersection so you'd have to have, or arrange, your own transportation to get to a shuttle lot each day and back (but it is a straight shot down toll 130). Shoot me a PM if interested, and what you think would be fair $-wise (I'd want full payment before Nov 1 and no refund if cancelled after Nov 1).

 

Does that include testarossa privileges?

 

Sure -- for another $50K

 

Sadly things aren't getting any better for next year: All downtown hotels are not available for reservations.

This sounds like Indy all over again. Eventually they got the message and after a few years they started to no longer block the dates but accept reservations. Go figure.

 

In case anyone is interested, I was just about to post this before I saw this thread.

I've got a cityscape king/queen room booked at the Driskill Hotel (http://www.driskillhotel.com) in downtown Austin from 11/16 until 11/20. They have said I can transfer it to another person (no refund or cancellation).

If someone would like it then I'm going to stay with a friend otherwise I'm going to use it myself. Happy to transfer it to another fchatter at cost (not trying to make any money here), but you should know the price is pretty insane ($5k).

If you are looking to splurge, just send me a note.