Anyone done Austin Texas ?
Discussion
I have been a couple of times and will hopefully go this year.
It does not cost that much to attend and the city puts on loads of evening entertainment for race weekend. A group of us hired a house a bit out of town a few years back which was quite a good way to do it but you end up spending savings on taxi fares.
Ben
It does not cost that much to attend and the city puts on loads of evening entertainment for race weekend. A group of us hired a house a bit out of town a few years back which was quite a good way to do it but you end up spending savings on taxi fares.
Ben
Ask again late October and I'll be able to help! Going for the first time this year, have seats in T15 and would welcome any tips/advice from those that have been before.
We are staying at Hotel Ella in Austin, about 20 mins walk to the Convention Centre from where I believe a shuttle bus runs to and from the circuit.
Looking forward to the Stevie Wonder concert too!
We are staying at Hotel Ella in Austin, about 20 mins walk to the Convention Centre from where I believe a shuttle bus runs to and from the circuit.
Looking forward to the Stevie Wonder concert too!
I have been for the last four years and will be going again this year (it helps that I live in the US!). Austin is a great place and the town isn't too far from the circuit (so it makes sense to stay downtown). Lots of good dining and drinking options (it's a lively university town).
And the weather is usually fantastic. Other than a couple of years ago when it pissed it down!
And the weather is usually fantastic. Other than a couple of years ago when it pissed it down!
I used to always do turn 1. The grandstand there has a good view of the S/F straight and therefore any pre-race activities (if that matters to you).
Turn 15 is a great spot. The higher seats have a good view of a lot of the circuit - Turn 1 (just), the 2,3, 4 and 5 shimmy and then as they arrive at speed for the 12, 13, 14 and 15 bit (as they hit 16 they might be out of view again). I know you're thinking of turn 12 and much of the same applies to that as well. Both are also near the main gates/food/COTA tower.
If you're in an uncovered stand (and most are), bring sunscreen and a hat. It's amazing how many 'lobsters' there are at the end of race day. I'm sure you didn't need me to tell you that...!
Anything else I can help with, just ask away
Turn 15 is a great spot. The higher seats have a good view of a lot of the circuit - Turn 1 (just), the 2,3, 4 and 5 shimmy and then as they arrive at speed for the 12, 13, 14 and 15 bit (as they hit 16 they might be out of view again). I know you're thinking of turn 12 and much of the same applies to that as well. Both are also near the main gates/food/COTA tower.
If you're in an uncovered stand (and most are), bring sunscreen and a hat. It's amazing how many 'lobsters' there are at the end of race day. I'm sure you didn't need me to tell you that...!
Anything else I can help with, just ask away
My brother and I went 2013-2105 when I was living in San Antonio. We sat in Turn 5, which has good views up to Turn 1 through to Turn 6. You can also look across to see them come off the back straight and through Turns 12-13-14-15-16-17. They do run shuttle buses from downtown to the circuit, which we were forced to utilize the last year we went when it was a monsoon. It is Texas, so it could still be pretty hot, even in November - like 80F or so. Texas is also big, so realize it will take planning to see anything else. Even downtown San Antonio is well over an hour away by car.
Have not been for the F1 but was there for the GP and spent a day riding the circuit last year...what a circuit! Austin itself is a great city and there's a lot of fun to be had. Excellent restaurants and if you're into BBQ, head 20 mins out of the city to Salt Lick; also one of the best French restaurants I have ever eaten at called Chez Nous, just off 6th street. No contest in my experience between Austin and AD.
I went in 2014 and wrote about it here (plenty of photos too): http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2014/us-gp-circui...
My general observations:
- Walk the full course but you won't be disappointed with the T15 grandstand - better than T12 but pricey. From memory we paid about £400/person which is truly outrageous.
- Downtown Austin is bloody brilliant - make sure you have a night on 6th Street but be prepared for the ensuing hangover.
- San Antonio I didn't think was worth visiting - in fact not far off the River Walk we found it to be pretty sketchy after dark but maybe we were unlucky.
- Go to Lockhart and eat some barbecue food. Very special.
My general observations:
- Walk the full course but you won't be disappointed with the T15 grandstand - better than T12 but pricey. From memory we paid about £400/person which is truly outrageous.
- Downtown Austin is bloody brilliant - make sure you have a night on 6th Street but be prepared for the ensuing hangover.
- San Antonio I didn't think was worth visiting - in fact not far off the River Walk we found it to be pretty sketchy after dark but maybe we were unlucky.
- Go to Lockhart and eat some barbecue food. Very special.
chevronb37 said:
I went in 2014 and wrote about it here (plenty of photos too): http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2014/us-gp-circui...
My general observations:
- Walk the full course but you won't be disappointed with the T15 grandstand - better than T12 but pricey. From memory we paid about £400/person which is truly outrageous.
- Downtown Austin is bloody brilliant - make sure you have a night on 6th Street but be prepared for the ensuing hangover.
- San Antonio I didn't think was worth visiting - in fact not far off the River Walk we found it to be pretty sketchy after dark but maybe we were unlucky.
- Go to Lockhart and eat some barbecue food. Very special.
A great read and fab photos -thank you!My general observations:
- Walk the full course but you won't be disappointed with the T15 grandstand - better than T12 but pricey. From memory we paid about £400/person which is truly outrageous.
- Downtown Austin is bloody brilliant - make sure you have a night on 6th Street but be prepared for the ensuing hangover.
- San Antonio I didn't think was worth visiting - in fact not far off the River Walk we found it to be pretty sketchy after dark but maybe we were unlucky.
- Go to Lockhart and eat some barbecue food. Very special.
Yes the price of the seats in T15 is extortionate - even more than that this year, it was a while before I could bring myself to hit the 'buy' button lol!
Freddie328 said:
A great read and fab photos -thank you!
Yes the price of the seats in T15 is extortionate - even more than that this year, it was a while before I could bring myself to hit the 'buy' button lol!
Haha! That's painful! I think our ticket to the Indy 500 this year was $135 if that's some indication of US events away from F1. Yes the price of the seats in T15 is extortionate - even more than that this year, it was a while before I could bring myself to hit the 'buy' button lol!
Glad you enjoyed the report. Have an amazing time at COTA!
I'm still a bit torn what to go to, I f
king loved Abu Dhabi. The hotel and its service blew me away. I've never ever stopped in a hotel that goes above and beyond. I stayed in eithad towers hotel and the service is almost beyond belief
https://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/abu-dha...
I've stopped in hotels around the world and this place, it blew me away. It literally did, they go way beyond good service. It's amazing.
king loved Abu Dhabi. The hotel and its service blew me away. I've never ever stopped in a hotel that goes above and beyond. I stayed in eithad towers hotel and the service is almost beyond belief https://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/abu-dha...
I've stopped in hotels around the world and this place, it blew me away. It literally did, they go way beyond good service. It's amazing.
Crazy expensive though, booked a table on the top floor for two with a view over Abu Dhabi Champagne to start, fish starter, two mains of one lobster and one Australia t bone steak, sides. Drinks plus dessert. It was about £ 550. I nearly fking died 😂😂 didn't eat in the hotel again after that 😂
But it was worth it
king died 😂😂 didn't eat in the hotel again after that 😂But it was worth it
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