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

  • Thread starter CodeRedR51
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I have no idea who designed Portimão (shameful I know) but it has to be one of the most interesting, nice flowing NEW tracks in the world.

This CotA circuit ... I don't know, maybe with time I'll like it more but, so far, it doesn't flow. AReminds me of those ultra complicated tracks people create in GT5, thinking that MOARR is more, when sometimes LESS is more.

Just thinking about north american tracks (and I just know a few), isn't Watkins Glen nice? Isn't Road Atlanta? Road America? Gilles Villeneuve? Mont Tremblant? They all, in different ways, have a flow to them. And that's important.
 
Pre-sale code E-mails just went out to those who took the survey or are PSL holders. My room is paid for, I'M GOING TO AUSTIN!!!
 
I'm going to reserve judgement until the actual circuit is complete. Even top notch simulators can hide elevation on completed circuits, let alone an unfinished product.

Also, the "flow" of a circuit can easily be hidden by bad driving, track-specific inexperience, game physics, etc.

The "copied" sections have direct influence, sure. The difference between 'influenced by' and 'copied' becomes more and more separated as you combine variables such as track surface, camber, elevation, approach speed, exit speed, and so on. Last time I checked, they don't drive these things in satellite view.
 
I can't make it this year, but I fully intend on moving to the Austin area by next spring and will hopefully be going to as many events as possible while I'm there. I won't be missing the V8SC race, I know that.
 
I have to say, the new Turn 8 and 9 is growing on me. It was originally a much faster complex, but Turn 8 has been tightened up, so it's a bit more of a chicane. It's not flat-out, but it's not agonisingly slow, either. As the race goes on and tyres wear out, I think the drivers are going to be forced to take it slower and slower, and the key to a good lap will be figuring out just how fast you can take it. Too fast and the entry to Turn 9 will be horrible. But too slow, and you're going to be vulnerable all the way down to the hairpin.
 
Hun200kmh
This CotA circuit ... I don't know, maybe with time I'll like it more but, so far, it doesn't flow. AReminds me of those ultra complicated tracks people create in GT5, thinking that MOARR is more, when sometimes LESS is more.

Just thinking about north american tracks (and I just know a few), isn't Watkins Glen nice? Isn't Road Atlanta? Road America? Gilles Villeneuve? Mont Tremblant? They all, in different ways, have a flow to them. And that's important.
Click to expand...

I agree. 20 turns is too much for a 3.5 mile course. When you have too many turns none tend to stand out.

The tract is decent, but could have been better. The first series of esses flows well until the switchbacks become too abrupt and suddenly the flow is gone and you find yourself bullying the car to stay on the proper racing line.

In general, the track is too long. I feel its about half a mile too long. The extra length was probably tacked on to meet some stupid F1 standard.

Also, the final turn is absolutely awful. Lets say you just completed one great lap and you approach the final turn. How does the course finish? With a bland, tight, slow, 90+ degree turn. Having a slow turn leading to the front straight will also vastly reduce the amount of passing going into turn 1 because by the time the cars build up speed and drafting starts to really take effect they will be in turn 1, thanks to the slow final corner.
 
Perhaps a better solution would be to link Turn 14 to Turn 16 to create a multi-apex corner with one left and four rights. Then tighten the paex at Turn 18 a little bit so that the circuit starts going back in more of a northerly direction, and change Turn 19 and Turn 20 to be a replica of Turn 3 at Oscar Galvez in Argentina, Mexico's Peraltada or Jochen Rindt-Kurve at the A1 Ring.

But I suppose they were limited by the shape of the land they built on.
 
Meanwhile, in New Jersey (has there ever been a sentece that started that way and ended well for anyone involved?) ...

Vettel and Coulthard had a go at the Port Imperial circuit, while the organisers confirm that they want to follow the 2013 Canadian Grand Prix, and expect the calendar to be released next month (though the WMSC meets this week). While we're on the subject of Port Imperial, construction of the pit build is coming along nicely.

And for out American viewers, keep an eye out - Sebastian Vettel will be appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman tonight.
 
It's not a problem. It's B-roll footage. B-roll is typically footage that is recorded to supplement the A-roll, which is the primary footage. It's provided to news outlets, who can use it as they like in their stories about Vettel doing a lap.
 
New picture I saw in Facebook. Only five months from the race and I also think it's coming along nicely.

401884_10150908916183759_1110642050_n.jpg
 
While in Austin over the weekend attending the Formula One Expo, our group made our way to go check out the Circuit of The Americas. Since I had never seen it before. I brought my camera and telephoto lense and snapped up some photos.

Temporary COTA sign infront of the track. Note the Moto GP logo with Moto GP blocked out.

IMG_5651 by astrosdude91, on Flickr

Pit straight and main grandstand.

IMG_5598 by astrosdude91, on Flickr


IMG_5602 by astrosdude91, on Flickr


IMG_5603 by astrosdude91, on Flickr

Infield road.

IMG_5605 by astrosdude91, on Flickr

My friend knew a spot that provided and up close view of turn 11. It's actually the old construction entrance. A trip down a bumpy gravel road brought us there.

IMG_5611 by astrosdude91, on Flickr

Turn 11 sign marker.

IMG_5618 by astrosdude91, on Flickr

Straight before 11.

IMG_5623 by astrosdude91, on Flickr

Turn 10.

IMG_5624 by astrosdude91, on Flickr


I have a few more I'll upload here.
 
to be honest - Having the main grandstand have PSL is bs. Having to spend thousands to get it is smart on their end becuase they will make a few grand more in profits but it ruins the actual fans who want to be in that position. Offering around 600-800 would of be perfect for those seats. Shame but oh well.
 
The idea behind the PSL is that you buy that seat for a year (or however long is in the contract), and you can use it whenever you want. The current roser of events for the circuit is a little slim, with Formula 1, V8 Supercars and ALMS - the MotoGP circuit is very unclear right now - but once the circuit is established, it could start attracting all manner of events: the World Endurance Championship, GT1, World Touring Cars, all forms of NASCAR (including the Canadian and Mexican series), SuperGT, DTM, Indycar, Rolex Sports Cars, World Superbike and so on and so forth. That's what the PSL is for - the motorsport enthusiasts who will go at every opportunity. Or, as you put it, "the actual fans who want to be in that position".
 
prisonermonkeys
The idea behind the PSL is that you buy that seat for a year (or however long is in the contract), and you can use it whenever you want. The current roser of events for the circuit is a little slim, with Formula 1, V8 Supercars and ALMS - the MotoGP circuit is very unclear right now - but once the circuit is established, it could start attracting all manner of events: the World Endurance Championship, GT1, World Touring Cars, all forms of NASCAR (including the Canadian and Mexican series), SuperGT, DTM, Indycar, Rolex Sports Cars, World Superbike and so on and so forth. That's what the PSL is for - the motorsport enthusiasts who will go at every opportunity. Or, as you put it, "the actual fans who want to be in that position".
Click to expand...

So you think $5,000 for grandstand seating seems logical?
 

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