USGP - F1 Austin Texas - Anyone been?

[anonymous-user]

Four of us have just bought tickets for this, we're fortunate enough to be based in the US already so it's a reasonable cheap internal flight from NYC to AUS, and a $180 three day general admission ticket was too good to turn down!

Just wondered if anyone went to the inaugural race last year and had any tips? Where to stay, where to eat and drink, good points of the COTA layout, places to watch etc?

Thanks

[chevronb37]

We're planning for 2014. Will watch the thread with interest.

[carinaman]

http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/circuit-of-the-americas-...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/f1/356016-best-pl...


I've been to Austin, but not this century or to the GP. The circuit looks great and I was so pleased Hamilton won the inaugural one. Have a great time.

[anonymous-user]

That FerrariChat link is pretty useful, thanks

We have General Admission tickets so we can have a bit of a wander around and experience the cars from different locations

[Great Dane]

not f1 but wec

[anonymous-user]

Great Dane said:

not f1 but wec

Excellent. Thanks.

[Dr JonboyG]

Went last year, it was fun, and if you got there early you could get a good spot on the big GA grass bank, but the concessions were not cheap even by F1 standards.

Going back, but for the ALMS/WEC race next month, will see if it's any different.

[rhysenna]

I went and it was fantastic. Did the 3 days and watched the race from turn 5 grandstand. Great to see the cars building up speed over the weekend as the drivers worked out the best line through that section. If you get chance, get to the grandstand at turn 9, we watched the historics from there. My highlight of the weekend.
You can see a lot of the circuit from there.

We got in and out of the circuit with little delay, usual getting there early. The shuttle service around the track did get snarled up at times but I think that should have been sorted for this year.

Great circuit, great event and great crowd. Love to go again.

[rhysenna]

[chevronb37]

rhysenna said:

I went and it was fantastic. Did the 3 days and watched the race from turn 5 grandstand. Great to see the cars building up speed over the weekend as the drivers worked out the best line through that section. If you get chance, get to the grandstand at turn 9, we watched the historics from there. My highlight of the weekend.
You can see a lot of the circuit from there.

We got in and out of the circuit with little delay, usual getting there early. The shuttle service around the track did get snarled up at times but I think that should have been sorted for this year.

Great circuit, great event and great crowd. Love to go again.

You still in LS4, David? Must pick your brains about Austin. We'd love to go next year if budgets permit.

[anonymous-user]

F1 circuit is just south of the airport.

It's a great city for a night out. There are two long streets packed with bars(unlike most us cities which are basically business districts which are dead at night)

Word if warning, taxis in Austin are fairly non existent, especially when trying to get into the city.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 22 August 09:23

[BigBen]

I went last year for all three days. Fantastic value for money, apart from the food and drink stands which were stratospheric in their costs.

A really good race to go to with a great atmosphere and a very well organised shuttle system for getting to beer in downtown Austin following the race / qualifying.

Ben

[rhysenna]

chevronb37 said:

You still in LS4, David? Must pick your brains about Austin. We'd love to go next year if budgets permit.

PM sent.

[rhysenna]

BigBen said:

I went last year for all three days. Fantastic value for money, apart from the food and drink stands which were stratospheric in their costs.

A really good race to go to with a great atmosphere and a very well organised shuttle system for getting to beer in downtown Austin following the race / qualifying.

Ben

There's a car park right next to the track at the far hairpin. Get there early enough and you can park next to the entrance and then pop out to your car when you fancy something to eat. Like Ben says the prices are eye watering.

[BigBen]

rhysenna said:

BigBen said:

I went last year for all three days. Fantastic value for money, apart from the food and drink stands which were stratospheric in their costs.

A really good race to go to with a great atmosphere and a very well organised shuttle system for getting to beer in downtown Austin following the race / qualifying.

Ben

There's a car park right next to the track at the far hairpin. Get there early enough and you can park next to the entrance and then pop out to your car when you fancy something to eat. Like Ben says the prices are eye watering.

That is where we parked, also found the policy on bringing in outside drinks was not that rigidly enforced, although stepped up a bit on race day.

[Bradgate]

I went to Austin a couple of years ago, it's a great city. You won't see many Stetson wearing cowboys there, however. Austin is a liberal college town, a sort of enclave of blue-state America in strongly conservative Texas. It has a noticeably less corporate feel than most of the USA, with lots of excellent independent shops, clubs, bars and restaurants.

Enjoy your trip!

Edited by Bradgate on Friday 23 August 00:24

[chevronb37]

rhysenna said:

chevronb37 said:

You still in LS4, David? Must pick your brains about Austin. We'd love to go next year if budgets permit.

PM sent.

PM received. Will drop you a line next week. Thanks, dude!

[rhysenna]

chevronb37 said:

PM received. Will drop you a line next week. Thanks, dude!

[anonymous-user]

Flights booked - CHECK
Tickets boooked - CHECK
RV Spot reserved - CHECK
RV booked - CHECK

This is gonna be fun

[chevronb37]

That's how to do it!

Really look forward to hearing about this. Would you mind sharing a few details as this is exactly what we're considering for 2014 with a couple of pals.