Was checking out the FCA "reserved" seating... its all the back 6 rows or so in section 12. I sat in 12 last year, mid way... farther from the turn (not closer to the track). Not bad. Better to sit up higher? there are plenty of seats closer. thoughts? or any other sections? thanks!
not sure, up or down. I was about 4 from top. I know 12 is some of the best seating being able to see all the turns even over to T1 and then the hairpin braking end of the fastest straight. I think you see more turns and closer to tight turns than anywhere else on track. I would like to see cars come up the hill and into T1 though, that might be the best turn up close, but not overall.
That's true about T1, lots of excitement as they make the one turn and you can "see" lots of the track from there, but before T3 they are out of sight, towards the T4, T5, T6 chicane. You don't see that car again until it returns to the Main GS out of T19. T1 big screen is also not very close, it's more for the GA seating, if you are actually at the top of the hill?? Had seats in T4, that was actually a good view of the cars, but not much more of the track.
The top row of Turn 12 was our best seats yet. You could stand and lean against the railing, while getting a great view of the cars coming down the long straight and braking hard for turn 12. I think it is row 37. Nice breeze up there, and good views of downtown Austin and the area. I have interest in turn 15 with real seats, not a bench, and views of the straight, as well as turns 12-15.
I wouldn't consider buying a seat personally. I bought Gen Admis tickets two years ago, got to sit on the side of a hill with a great view and could get up and move around without bugging people. Andrea and I were both wondering why anyone wouldn't do it this way for the HUGE cost difference at the time.
12 high up 1 is pretty good too, more removed but you can see the cars on many more parts of the track. When I go back to Austin, I might not even bother with seats: GA is so good and wandering around the track and see them from different viewpoints is more fun here than at many other places.
I've sat in 12 (2012) and 15 last year. If going to the Austin GP for the first time, sitting high up at Turn 12 can't be beat. You can see a lot of the track, and the speed of the cars screaming down the straight and braking hard before the turn is awesome. There's always a lot to see when sitting at Turn 12. Turn 15 has some advantages... The cars are going slower as they pass in front of the seats. There are lots of good photo opportunities. The seats are much more comfortable than the Turn 12 bleachers. The addition of the bar next to Turn 15 seating, with its loud music, however, is annoying. You have to be careful with Turn 15 and get a seat high enough so that the fence doesn't obstruct your view. I slightly preferred the Turn 15 seating over Turn 12, although it's a close call. That said, however, I spent one of the practice sessions last year walking around the track. The views from many of the GA areas is great, and I'll probably just go that route this year.
so much cheaper and some great views for GA, but the people we were with last year did GA and they didn't like it. way too crowded and limited views compared to what you get in 12.
I guess it depends on the day. GA for Friday and Saturday works just fine. For Sunday seats are probably better. Personally I don't care much for Sundays anymore. I prefer the freedom of the other days where I can move around and change seats.
yes, Jennie and I never went to our 3-day seats until Sunday. I enjoyed being with our friends and GA Friday and Saturday although we had seats. For people that haven't been in 12, the bleacher seats are TIGHT! I guess it is just the "fat cats" of the FCA, me included.
maybe not so pricey! I worked in the main medical facility on friday last year (will do it again this year) free parking, paid to be there... GREAT ACCESS! we can walk up the hill and stand at the apex of turn 1.... pretty incredible! first shot is the Ferrari being pushed over for FIA inspection Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I sat in Turn 5-6 area. You get a sense of Maggots-Becketts here. The speed of the F1 cars through the S curves is amazing. Unfortunately it made the Ferrari challenge cars look very ordinary when they went through the same curves. I thik Turn 9 or 10 is very good too. GA is probably good enough - I got some great shots from most of the GA spots.
All the talk about section 12 made me go to Google Maps, and "drive" around the track in street view! Probably already mentioned on FChat, but the street view must have been filmed before the track was completed, because there is no grandstand there!
Hell, I might have met you then. I met some Seton docs just before the 2012 GP up at turn 1 on the inside by the camera boom & the marshals. Took a pic of the group. Were you one of those guys?
This is all good advice. You haven't really seen F1 or LMP1 cars at COTA until you see them run the east side (1-11), and GA is by far the best value, but a little less so for F1 because of all the grandstands restricting the otherwise excellent views
