COTA cancels track days/DE's?

Not sure if this is along the same lines but I saw this yesterday, https://twitter.com/circuitamericas/status/282239296889565185

 

just heard that as well. mega bummer.

would love to hear the back story on this one...

 

You should setup your sim in their parking lot.

 

Yep, seems ready odd to me also. Insurance reasons, noise pollution, (but near an major airport) etc... hates making money.

http://jalopnik.com/5970719/austins-circuit-of-the-americas-cancels-track-days-screws-over-racing-fans-everywhere?utm_campaign=socialflow_jalopnik_twitter&utm_source=jalopnik_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

 

FWIW, the rental section of their site is still live: http://circuitoftheamericas.com/visit/track-rental

 

I don't buy noise pollution and insurance as the reasons.

The most logical rumor/theory I've read so far is that they signed a major driving school such as Skip Barber for multiple events throughout the year. Dealing with one organization and policing their activities would likely be easier and less aggrivating to the management than dozens of clubs...

 

Many tracks do all of the above. Club members, Skippy rentals and track days for clubs. Like LRP.

 

From day 1 to today, the COTA folks have been arrogant jerks. No surprises here.

 

quoted for truth.

karma's a b!tch.

 

When I read... CoTA was going to "go a different direction"... I wondered if they are going farther, and setting up their own driving school completely. No reason to give SB et al 50%...

 

COTA management is such a joke. That PR is pathetic. This news will be covered negatively all over the media locally and globally. What a shame.

 

I am amazed at how many people do trackdays and race cars and motorcycles. These are the most ardent fans of motorsports. I think COTA pissed off many. I was hoping to race there in March at the SCCA national race. It was not going to be easy. It is an expensive 20 hour tow one way. My thinking right now is, if I have to get on a plane anyway would my wife and kids like to be in Austin or Montreal for a north american F1 race? I think the answer to that is pretty simple...parlez-vous Francais?

 

I was scheduled to have my car picked up next week and shipped to Texas for the MVP event...

was also considering the WEC/ALMS weekend next fall. not now.

 

A couple of sites are claiming that the March national is still on.

Everyone I know wants to go. I'm going, if it happens. It's going to be crowded.

 

I hope you are right! And then I'll get to meet you. Perhaps COTA is smarter than I think keeping the big dog SCCA clubracing on their side. Plus COTA can count on the quality of SCCA flaggers and communications like LBGP does here locally. Maybe there is some tit for tat going on there? We will know when the dust settles in a few weeks.

Carl
#88 Blue/silver (now) T2 Z06vette

 

http://circuitoftheamericas.com/media-center

 

A few days ago i received an email from Ridesmart, the organization I've done a few motorcycle trackdays with. they are selling slots for a June 2013 COTA trackday. i believe it went on sale 12/20. as of today i haven't received any cancellation notice ... ??
Greg in Houston

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

Carl, look forward to meeting you.

FWIW, this was posted on the SRF forum:


"Roger Krebs here. Race Chair for COTA event. Our weekend is unaffected by recent activities. I'm working sup's over holidays. Hope to have registration open by about Jan 15th."


I'll be running in FC, probably car no 48.

I wonder whether this event will be oversubscribed - and if so, how they'll pick entrants. I have not yet talked to anyone who doesn't want to go. We could see incredible race groups. I'd imagine it will be even more popular if drivers sense this is the one and only chance to drive COTA with SCCA. Try to imagine your Vette on that long straight ....

Cheers, Will

 

MVP event is on for sure, reconfirmed by COTA.

 

MVP and The Driver's Edge have been reinstated by COTA. They were paid contracts. MVP's check was already cashed. TDE's check was waiting to be cashed. The scrooges caved.

There are other rumors for their track day intentions which might end up being more profitable to them in the long run. However, as a friend said, COTA stands for Circuit of Terminated Agreements.

 

maybe they're just practicing for when Bernie pulls the rug out from under them?

 

Wow, that sounds like someone I know. In the long run that will bite them in th arse!

 

$50,000 for one day??!?! Seems like COTA have A LOT of money to make up... Our main track which is a FIA Class 2 (F1 testing certified) circuit runs at just over $1,000/hour (a lot more on weekends duh) and I even think that's including use of the digital flags. Crew isn't included but you normally get that free or superduper cheap (volunteers all around). Okay food and the fancy service isn't included, but everything you actually need is. It's a nice venue too, Schumi's a stakeholder and it's newly refurbished & re-designed by Tilke.

Another thing that struck me, why won't they let you bring more than 24 cars? Seems weird considering it's a long, super wide F1 FIA Class 1 circuit. The circuit I was referring to earlier is only just over 2 miles long (32 to 49ft wide) but they allow like 36 cars on track simultaneously.

 

Aww, c'mon you cheap ba$tards, $100,000 for a track weekend divided by 24 cars is ONLY about $4,000 per driver.