F1 Returns to USA - COTA - Bring on 2013!!

[Ardius]

I've heard that it will be anywhere between $100 for general admission (you have to supply your own seats) through to $5,000 for the Paddock Club (which is really only for coroproate guests). Seats in the main grandstand may cost up to $1,000.

Normally the weekend tickets are not too much more expensive than the Sunday-only ones, so if people are put off by the pricing, try making it a weekend trip to balance the cost out a bit. I fully recommend doing this as the race on Sunday flies past, and its nice to be able to sit in different grandstands on Friday (they're normally open to anyone on Fridays) and focus on things that you might not appreciate during the race (watching different driver styles, listening to each individual car, etc).

I also like the general buzz and atmosphere you get over the weekend - especially comparing the crowds when they build up over the weekend, at least at the popular venues anyway. Sunday is obviously the busiest and so it can perhaps feel a bit crowded and intimidating if you only go on Sunday, whereas Friday is a little relaxed as there is no racing and the crowds are smaller so you have more space to breathe.

Also, being someone who frequents smaller, local meetings at Oulton Park, I much prefer being able to wander around and having the freedom to pick any spot I like to watch the details on the track as well as chat to slightly more relaxed and friendlier (and usually more knowledgable!) people.

If money is a serious issue, people can always just visit only the Friday if they only wish to experience a Grand Prix weekend and are not too fussed about seeing the race live. These are normally the cheapest tickets and are much less hassle to get in and out of the circuit.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Also, being someone who frequents smaller, local meetings at Oulton Park, I much prefer being able to wander around and having the freedom to pick any spot I like to watch the details on the track as well as chat to slightly more relaxed and friendlier (and usually more knowledgable!) people.

My uncle usually goes to the Australian Grand Prix, and he says the best thing to do is to get general admission on Friday and Saturday, then watch the race at home on Sunday. That way, he gets to see plenty of action over the weekend, but he also gets to be able to follow the race.

 

[Ardius]

I can understand that opinion/view but personally I like being there to see the action myself in person. While you can soak up the atmosphere on Friday/Saturday, the stuff that happens which people remember happens on Sunday and its all the more special to be there when and if anything happens. For example, I was there at the last corner of Silverstone when Hamilton and Massa were side-by-side through the last sector and over the line at the finish. I'm rather glad I went on the Sunday if only just for that.

I'd also say that while you get some idea of the atmopshere on Friday/Saturday...its nothing compared to when the track is packed on the Sunday. The roar of the crowd is not something you can appreciate on TV, not to mention the pre-race build-up and so many other little things.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Oh, totally. My uncle just does it that way because he's been to the race plenty of times before, so he decided to scale it back a little bit.

That said, the Circuit of the Americas has a massive advantage for spectators over just about every other circuit on the calendar: the place was deliberately designed so that spectators in the main grandstand could see as much of the circuit as possible. Depending on where you're sitting, you should be able to see up to 90% of the circuit.

 

[jcm]

Depending on where you're sitting, you should be able to see up to 90% of the circuit.

See you there

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Do you see that little flag icon next to my location (noitacoL)? It's Australian. I'm in Australia. So unless I somehow land a teaching job in Texas (and I haven't applied for any that I know of), I'm not going to be at the United States Grand Prix.

However, when the plans were first released, the promoter made a big deal of the way spectators will be able to see most of the circuit, assuming they're in the right place. You have to get up close to the first corner, but if you do, you'll be able to see everything except turn 10 (the elevation out of the corner means the cars will drop out of view), turns 12 and 15 (a hill, building and grandstands inside the turn 16-17-18 complex blocks it from view) and possibly turn 19 and the straight to turn 20 (paddock buildings block the view).

 

[astrosdude91]

I have a feeling though. This being the inaugural USGP at COTA, all sessions will be pretty packed.

 

[Blitz24]

I'm surprised that its this expensive for COTA. I heard prices floating about for the Port Imperial race being only at $320 for the entire weekend.

 

[jcm]

Do you see that little flag icon next to my location (noitacoL)? It's Australian. I'm in Australia. So unless I somehow land a teaching job in Texas (and I haven't applied for any that I know of), I'm not going to be at the United States Grand Prix.

However, when the plans were first released, the promoter made a big deal of the way spectators will be able to see most of the circuit, assuming they're in the right place. You have to get up close to the first corner, but if you do, you'll be able to see everything except turn 10 (the elevation out of the corner means the cars will drop out of view), turns 12 and 15 (a hill, building and grandstands inside the turn 16-17-18 complex blocks it from view) and possibly turn 19 and the straight to turn 20 (paddock buildings block the view).

Take a vacation. Being able to see that much of the track is awesome.

 

[F1 fan]

I'm surprised that its this expensive for COTA. I heard prices floating about for the Port Imperial race being only at $320 for the entire weekend.

Maybe it has something to do with Cota's massive construction costs. Aside from the barriers (which aren't really a difficult thing. So many other street circuits in North America do it year on year), all they really have to do in NJ is set up some temporary stands, repave the road, add kerbs and build the pit facility, which I'm guessing won't be anywhere near the level of engineering excellence you will see at Cota.

Either way, I'm looking forward to both races, but my anticipation is leaning towards the one in NJ a bit more.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Take a vacation. Being able to see that much of the track is awesome.

As much as I would like to, I can't afford it.

 

[Blitz24]

Maybe it has something to do with Cota's massive construction costs. Aside from the barriers (which aren't really a difficult thing. So many other street circuits in North America do it year on year), all they really have to do in NJ is set up some temporary stands, repave the road, add kerbs and build the pit facility, which I'm guessing won't be anywhere near the level of engineering excellence you will see at Cota.

Either way, I'm looking forward to both races, but my anticipation is leaning towards the one in NJ a bit more.

Agreed. I believe the roads won't have to be paved though but I'll be keeping track of the progress as I live in the area. Won't have to worry about hotel accommodations either thankfully.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I believe the roads won't have to be paved

I seem to recall reading somewhere that pit lane - and possibly the section along the waterfront in the first sector - is the only section that will be built for the race. Everything else will be left as is.

 

[F1 fan]

Agreed. I believe the roads won't have to be paved though but I'll be keeping track of the progress as I live in the area. Won't have to worry about hotel accommodations either thankfully.

Have a big enough house? You could make a fair bit of money renting out spare rooms if you have any. I know a girl who lives in Albert park and has a good view from her Balcony. She complained to me about the noise . I told her if she doesn't like it, she could probably get a months rent just for that weekend.

 

[astrosdude91]

Agreed. I bet the owners of those houses along the track would make a fortune renting out their balconies. $10,000 for race day? I bet a lot of people would pay that much to be that close.

 

[Ardius]

Agreed. I believe the roads won't have to be paved though but I'll be keeping track of the progress as I live in the area. Won't have to worry about hotel accommodations either thankfully.

Do I smell a GTP trip to Blitz' house?

 

[Blitz24]

Do I smell a GTP trip to Blitz' house?

Sure you can stay by my house (I will emphasize "by" since that means you will sleep outside).

Have a big enough house? You could make a fair bit of money renting out spare rooms if you have any. I know a girl who lives in Albert park and has a good view from her Balcony. She complained to me about the noise . I told her if she doesn't like it, she could probably get a months rent just for that weekend.

I don't live THAT close to the track where it would benefit me to bother renting out rooms since there's no view other than the neighbors from any window (no balcony). The entire race is going to be accessed via public transportation.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

The interior of the pit building (so far):

 

[prisonermonkeys]

More photos!

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=129952&view=findpost&p=5515853

I've put them as a link because there are a lot of good ones.

 

[Earth]

Im going to think about making this race. Its a 6 hour drive, but after reading this thread I'll probably make a weekend of it if Austin is interesting enough.

 

[Cade]

Austin is not very far from where I'm at. I'm glad that F1 is in the US again.

 

[scarslasher]

So..
So far I've heard of two races. Austin. And another "with Manhattan as a backdrop".

Please tell me they're not ditching Circuit of the Americas for some darn street course!
Please tell me that one is a "United States Grand Prix" and the other is a "North American Grand Prix".

 

[LancerEvo7]

^That's exactly what they're doing.

 

[scarslasher]

^That's exactly what they're doing.

Thank God. I have a deep hatred for street courses.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Please tell me they're not ditching Circuit of the Americas for some darn street course!

It's a proper street course, based around the Port Imperial ferry terminal and Hudson Palisades. It runs through Weehawken and West New York, and there is no room for massive amounts of run-off. It also has more elevation than Eau Rouge (Eau Rouge is 42 metres; Port Imperial has 46), and its average gradient is steeper than Spa.

Please tell me that one is a "United States Grand Prix" and the other is a "North American Grand Prix".

It's called the Grand Prix of America, rather than the "North American Grand Prix".

 

[prisonermonkeys]

The pit building, as of February 20th:

Even after the contract debacle, they're flying along nicely.

 

[astrosdude91]

Looks like COTA is accepting applications for race marshals. If you want to vlounteer, it's a great way to see the race for free.

http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/volunteer

 

[CodeRedR51]

Looks like you have to have had some marshaling experience before hand.

 

[Ferrari458Italia]

Do we have any word out on how much the pricing of the race is going to be? I would love to finally attend my first Formula 1 race of my life, but seeing as how I'm a college student I really cannot spend a ton of money

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

If any american people read this can you confirm everything goes smoothly ? I've read an article not so long ago about Austin might beeing canceled because there's 15 millions that no one wants to pay or something like that. Anyone heard anything about that ?