Jump to content


Photo
- - - - -

Texas


  • Please log in to reply
11 replies to this topic

#1 Fonzey

Fonzey
  • Member

  • 655 posts
  • Joined: January 12

Posted 31 August 2014 - 22:29

My residence in the United States is likely to extend to the end of November at least, so you know what that means.

 

Living in Atlanta, GA but with frequent (almost weekly) work flights to Louisiana means I'm not too far away, so seems like a waste not to drop by on GP weekend.

 

I know it's still a new GP, so blogs/visitor guide posts seem thin on the ground - but does anybody have any experiences of the usual questions?:

 

- General Admission or Grandstand

- Local Accomodation/Getting around

 

Perhaps we can start a discussion if a few other people are thinking of a trip. I'm quite likely to be a lone traveller too, so anybody else going on their own is welcome to hook up with me and make it a bit more social?! :wave:



Advertisement

#2 Fonzey

Fonzey
  • Member

  • 655 posts
  • Joined: January 12

Posted 21 September 2014 - 19:54

Seems like I'll be there on my own then!

 

Booked GA, thinking of watching FP3 from the top of the hill at T1 and then watch Quali in the twisty stuff around 6-7-8.

 

As for race, overtakes into T1 would probably be nice but I'll make my mind up on the weekend I think.



#3 TimRTC

TimRTC
  • Member

  • 1,282 posts
  • Joined: March 12

Posted 06 October 2014 - 14:31

I was at the FIAWEC race there in September. As a photographer I did struggle a bit, particularly in the GA areas - a lot of very high fencing.

 

There is not a huge amount of space at the top of T1, but head round to the inside of T2 for a good view. The area around the twisty bits will be good too as you can see across to the Turn 15 area as well and it looked like they were setting up big screens around this section.

 

For future reference, the main grandstand is a complete no-no. Not only can you not see anything but the pit road, the front row of the upper section was partly submerged and crawling with massive bugs (this was taken later on when there were less!) which didn't seem to affect the other grandstands. The T1 grandstand is good, get as high and far to the top of the hill as you can for a commanding view of the home straight and T1 into T2. The T15 grandstand is probably the best, at the end of the back straight and with a very good corner complex. They did seem to be putting up more small stands for the F1, we stood on the T2 grandstand for a bit before being ushered along, seemed to be a pretty decent, if rather restricted view.

 

If you can choose parking, section T was a good choice - you access it by driving past the main entrance and continuing up the hill, hard to find first time around, but the big plus is that you exit separately to the main crowd and the police are controlling the traffic, so we got out pretty easily.

 

As a (relative) local, I'm sure you know what to expect weather-wise. The rainstorm that hit the 6 Hour race was unbelievable and obviously the terrain was very muddy - bring boots.



#4 timbo

timbo
  • Member

  • 535 posts
  • Joined: December 07

Posted 14 October 2014 - 21:20

Support races for the weekend are listed as Ferrari Challenge, and Porsche Supercup, so take a book to read during the long breaks in track activity.



#5 MauricioNP

MauricioNP
  • New Member

  • 16 posts
  • Joined: February 11

Posted 21 October 2014 - 04:07

friends, 

 
   I plan to go to Circuit of the Americas in late October for the US GP. However, I have to return to Boston on Sunday. The last flight Austin x Boston saira the 0655PM. The race will start the 0300PM and should end around 0440PM. Could someone tell me if I could have enough time after the race to arrive at the airport (boarding in the last flight to Boston)? Will I face traffic jam at the exit of the parking lot? Can I find  bus service that connects the airport to circuit? 
I appreciate the help!
 
Mauricio


#6 F1Destinations

F1Destinations
  • New Member

  • 12 posts
  • Joined: July 14

Posted 21 October 2014 - 12:06

 

friends, 

 
   I plan to go to Circuit of the Americas in late October for the US GP. However, I have to return to Boston on Sunday. The last flight Austin x Boston saira the 0655PM. The race will start the 0300PM and should end around 0440PM. Could someone tell me if I could have enough time after the race to arrive at the airport (boarding in the last flight to Boston)? Will I face traffic jam at the exit of the parking lot? Can I find  bus service that connects the airport to circuit? 
I appreciate the help!
 
Mauricio

 

 

Mauricio, I can't comment on the specifics of leaving COTA, but I would recommend you get a later flight. There is just not enough time and you won't enjoy the race if you are looking at your watch and wondering when you have to leave to get to the airport for your flight.

 

For other fans going to COTA, I found this travel guide to the race which has some useful info. You need to add your details to download, but you can always just remove yourself straight away from their mailing list after you have received it:

 

http://info.hccmis.com/f1-travel-guide



#7 Jon83

Jon83
  • Member

  • 5,341 posts
  • Joined: November 11

Posted 17 June 2015 - 09:16

I'm also looking at this race for 2016. I read online that there is a free shuttle bus from downtown Austin to the circuit which is free if you have tickets for the weekend. Has anybody used this?



#8 Berner

Berner
  • Member

  • 1,190 posts
  • Joined: May 01

Posted 17 June 2015 - 22:45

Yes, we took it in 2014. Departs right from Convention Center every half hour or when bus fills up. NOT free. In fact, there is a regular type bus and a "deluxe" bus which, iirc, is about $50 return fare. There is a short walk from drop-off point to main plaza, nothing serious. However, if you are a group of 2 or more, buy a parking pass for the convenience. 



#9 Jon83

Jon83
  • Member

  • 5,341 posts
  • Joined: November 11

Posted 18 June 2015 - 10:30

Yes, we took it in 2014. Departs right from Convention Center every half hour or when bus fills up. NOT free. In fact, there is a regular type bus and a "deluxe" bus which, iirc, is about $50 return fare. There is a short walk from drop-off point to main plaza, nothing serious. However, if you are a group of 2 or more, buy a parking pass for the convenience. 

 

Thanks Berner.

 

I'll probably be going to the race myself so will just take the bus but good to know transport is available.

 

Did you buy a grandstand ticket or go for GA?



#10 63Corvette

63Corvette
  • Member

  • 358 posts
  • Joined: March 15

Posted 19 July 2015 - 21:54

 

friends, 

 
   I plan to go to Circuit of the Americas in late October for the US GP. However, I have to return to Boston on Sunday. The last flight Austin x Boston saira the 0655PM. The race will start the 0300PM and should end around 0440PM. Could someone tell me if I could have enough time after the race to arrive at the airport (boarding in the last flight to Boston)? Will I face traffic jam at the exit of the parking lot? Can I find  bus service that connects the airport to circuit? 
I appreciate the help!
 
Mauricio

 

Yes, there is plenty of time, because Austin's Bergstrom airport is only one or two exits down from CoTA. 



#11 63Corvette

63Corvette
  • Member

  • 358 posts
  • Joined: March 15

Posted 19 July 2015 - 21:56

I'm also looking at this race for 2016. I read online that there is a free shuttle bus from downtown Austin to the circuit which is free if you have tickets for the weekend. Has anybody used this?

Yes, the "shuttlw" is FREE, BUT the parking at he shuttle is about $100US, AND they drop you off about one mile from the front gate.



#12 Jon83

Jon83
  • Member

  • 5,341 posts
  • Joined: November 11

Posted 20 July 2015 - 09:02

Yes, the "shuttlw" is FREE, BUT the parking at he shuttle is about $100US, AND they drop you off about one mile from the front gate.

 

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

I don't mind where it drops me off as I don't mind a bit of walking.

 

Do you mean it would cost to park my car in the area I would get the bus from? If so it won't matter as I won't be hiring a car (I'll be traveling from the UK and would either take public transport or a taxi to the area where I can catch the shuttle)


Edited by Jon83, 20 July 2015 - 14:07.