142 replies to this topic

[jimjimjeroo]

Fingers crossed for you Texans, BBC are saying Harvey will cause a major disaster! Stay safe!

I know it's 2 months to the GP but could Hurricane Harvey impact the GP?

[K20a]

Lol

[jonpollak]

Not "Lol" at all...

I called friends in town this morning and they both say this could totally impact the area.

The track is on a floodplain.

 

Heavy Rain and flooding will continue through Tuesday

 

Jp

[jjcale]

2 months is a very long time to recover from a storm.... and its not like they are short of resources in that area

[FLB]

2 months is a very long time to recover from a storm.... and its not like they are short of resources in that area

Hurricanes Fran and Katrina both took a long time from which to recover.

[AustinF1]

While a good portion of the property is in a floodplain, the track itself isn't. And as some of you have said, the race is something like 7 weeks away. I can't imagine what would have to happen this weekend that would have any kind of significant impact on the GP. The track is already bumpy as it is, and as they already have done, COTA might try to blame that on the weather ... but really, that's about preexisting soil conditions in that area.

 

Regarding the flooding forecasts, while it's almost certain that there will be flooding closer to the coast, it's still kind of up in the air as to whether Austin and Travis County will experience any kind of major, widespread flooding. WeWillSee.

Edited by AustinF1, 26 August 2017 - 13:07.

[AustinF1]

Hurricanes Fran and Katrina both took a long time from which to recover.

Yeah a racetrack (200 miles inland) recovering enough to have a race is the same as whole areas at 'ground zero' recovering from massive hurricanes. Or not.

 

There are 2 races between now and the GP(PWC and WEC/F4). If those races happen, then I'd say it all looks pretty good for the GP, barring other weather events later on.

Edited by AustinF1, 26 August 2017 - 13:09.

[Whatisvalis]

Austin looks like it will get some major rainfall, so it depends on potential flooding, and where. There will be Hurricane/Tropical conditions for days, which is unprecedented - it all hinges on how long Harvey sits on the coast. There is a potential for it to go back out into the gulf and reform, before hitting land again.

 

I think the GP will be fine - hopefully that's true of the coastal communities, too.

[AustinF1]

Yeah we'll be ok here even if there is some flooding. The coastal and South Texas communities more in the direct path of the storm are a much greater worry. So far in Austin we've received about 1.5" of rain so far. Victoria has had about 3". But the Houston/Galveston area is getting pummeled right now. Spring, Tx, on the north side of Houston, has already had over 4" and is really just getting started from the look of the radar.

Edited by AustinF1, 26 August 2017 - 14:26.

[Tsarwash]

I thought the track itself had significant elevation, which would seem to suggest that it cannot be directly on a flood plain. Anyhow, I hope the best for all those in the area this weekend. 

[AustinF1]

FYI, 5.5" of rain so far, and still looking ok in Austin in general and out southeast toward COTA. There's still more rain to come, but the rate of rainfall is more important than the total amount in this case. So far it's playing out like I thought it would and hoped it would. Knock on wood. At least around here. Down near the coast they're having a much tougher go of it. Where they thought the biggest danger would be the storm surge, it looks like there has been massive wind damage and a fair amount of water damage as well.

 

Plenty more pics and video out there, but here's a quick look.

 

 

 

After vs before...

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by AustinF1, 26 August 2017 - 22:28.

[AustinF1]

Lots of photos here for anyone interested...

 

http://www.statesman...TBs0WXrh0VoK/#2

 

https://www.facebook...04032964&type=3

[AustinF1]

FYI No flooding to this point in the Austin area, and the bulk of the rain has moved off toward the Houston area. They, and really pretty much everything east of Austin, are really getting hammered, with no relief in sight.

Edited by AustinF1, 27 August 2017 - 09:35.

[Dangerpaws]

FYI No flooding to this point in the Austin area, and the bulk of the rain has moved off toward the Houston area. They, and really pretty much everything east of Austin, are really getting hammered, with no relief in sight.

Thanks for the info! My brother lives in Austin. Talked to him this morning and he is doing ok although his wife is stuck out of state with all flights into Austin cancelled. My family is flying in for the USGP so hopefully the weather is a little nicer then.

[AustinF1]

Thanks for the info! My brother lives in Austin. Talked to him this morning and he is doing ok although his wife is stuck out of state with all flights into Austin cancelled. My family is flying in for the USGP so hopefully the weather is a little nicer then.

Yeah Austin is a paradise right now compared to many other areas of the state overwhelmed by different problems. It's sad for me to see, personally as an emergency service provider, but there's just no way to prepare adequately for something like this. Mother nature does what she wants.

[AustinF1]

Interstate 610 (a massive freeway) at Market in Houston...about 10 feet of water. Forecasts call for 20-30" more rain in the area for the next 3 or 4 days, and there's also widespread flooding upstream of them.

 

 

13' of water at this Interstate Highway 45 onramp...

 

Edited by AustinF1, 27 August 2017 - 15:38.

[FLB]

Interstate 610 (a massive freeway) at Market in Houston...about 10 feet of water. Forecasts call for 20-30" more rain in the area for the next 3 or 4 days, and there's also widespread flooding upstream of them.
 

Holy crap...!

[Heviurpo]

Track is very dull. So regardless about tornado or not, one could ask that is there place for this track in F1's schedule.

[jonpollak]

It's more exciting than your opinion.

[AustinF1]

 

2nd floor of a nursing home in Dickinson near the Gulf Coast. U.S. Coast Guard en route to begin evac...

 

[superden]

Bloody hell, fingers crossed for all concerned.

[Tsarwash]

Some of the reflections in that second photo don't seem to make sense. 

[Whatisvalis]

Some of the reflections in that second photo don't seem to make sense.

They have been rescued.

Edited by Whatisvalis, 28 August 2017 - 13:08.

[jonpollak]

All good so far for this weekend's PWC. http://racing.blog.s...n-for-this-week

[JG]

Keep calm and keep racing, I guess.

[AustinF1]

Yeah we had basically no flooding at all here in Austin despite a decent amount of rain. It was the rate that mattered more than the amount. Meanwhile, Houston is still getting hammered.

[jjcale]

Yeah we had basically no flooding at all here in Austin despite a decent amount of rain. It was the rate that mattered more than the amount. Meanwhile, Houston is still getting hammered.

 

Thanks for the updates, Bro.

[kevinracefan]

Track is very dull. So regardless about tornado or not, one could ask that is there place for this track in F1's schedule.

wow.. you signed up new to troll COTA?

 

most don't share your opinion...

[kevinracefan]

I grew up in Houston.. in '76 there was a big rain and flood.. only time a game ever got rained out at astrodome, because no one could get there..

 

I walked home from work downtown, 8 hours, through the Rice Inst. Campus and Texas Medical Center in thigh deep water that day.. it was 10-1/2" rain in 3 hours..

 

This is worse by a magnitude of 3 or 4... and climbing..

[Tsarwash]

I grew up in Houston.. in '76 there was a big rain and flood.. only time a game ever got rained out at astrodome, because no one could get there..

 

I walked home from work downtown, 8 hours, through the Rice Inst. Campus and Texas Medical Center in thigh deep water that day.. it was 10-1/2" rain in 3 hours..

 

This is worse by a magnitude of 3 or 4... and climbing..

Was the water coldish or warmish ? I just find it strange that people are just sitting waist deep in water. In  the UK you wouldn't want to do that for long. 

[AustinF1]

Was the water coldish or warmish ? I just find it strange that people are just sitting waist deep in water. In  the UK you wouldn't want to do that for long. 

It would be much warmer than in the UK, but it will definitely still take a toll of hypothermia in time.

[kevinracefan]

not chilly cold, but slightly cool, which is not bad in June in Houston..

 

I feel for these folks who have no place to get warm and dry..

[Tsarwash]

It's all the cats that I feel sorry for. They hate swimming. 

[Marc Sproule]

it will be interesting to see if the f-1 clan contributes to the relief effort.

 

one of the u s football players has already raised several millions of $.

 

the effects of this storm will be felt for decades

[Cynic2]

Austin F1 will have a better feel for this, but what is the subsidy the track is expecting from the Texas government this year?

 

I can see a major political problem giving $20M or whatever "to a bunch of millionaires" as someone described F1.  Damage in Texas is in the millions if not billions by the time all the damage is added up.  The money isn't there -- Texas is seeking disaster funding from the Federal Government -- in other word, all the taxpayers in the U.S. -- and groups all over the U.S. are sending aid of different types, particularly to residents of Houston..

 

Certainly Texas donating $20M to F1 for the race will give F1 (among others) a very black eye.  I'd love the see the contract to see what outs may exist and for whom.

 

I would not be surprised to see Liberty Media step in with some funding, but $20M seems to be a very, very high number to kick in for them plus setting a very expensive precedent.

 

AustinF1, have you heard any rumbles on this? 

[Marc Sproule]

as one who has the time to do so, i've been watching too much coverage of the disaster in texas.

 

one thing i have not seen mentioned is what has physically happened to businesses. what will that mean to those who are involved in sponsoring varying aspects of the gp?

 

contemporary or long term?

 

 

[AustinF1]

Austin F1 will have a better feel for this, but what is the subsidy the track is expecting from the Texas government this year?

 

I can see a major political problem giving $20M or whatever "to a bunch of millionaires" as someone described F1.  Damage in Texas is in the millions if not billions by the time all the damage is added up.  The money isn't there -- Texas is seeking disaster funding from the Federal Government -- in other word, all the taxpayers in the U.S. -- and groups all over the U.S. are sending aid of different types, particularly to residents of Houston..

 

Certainly Texas donating $20M to F1 for the race will give F1 (among others) a very black eye.  I'd love the see the contract to see what outs may exist and for whom.

 

I would not be surprised to see Liberty Media step in with some funding, but $20M seems to be a very, very high number to kick in for them plus setting a very expensive precedent.

 

AustinF1, have you heard any rumbles on this? 

COTA will probably get $20-25M this year for the USGP, and several million combined for other races.

 

Haven't heard any rumbling, but I haven't paid attention either. I doubt it would happen that quickly tho.

[jimmonson]

 

2nd floor of a nursing home in Dickinson near the Gulf Coast. U.S. Coast Guard en route to begin evac...

 

  Thanks for the pics Austin ,and the reports from your area .

 

SECOND floor !  wow . That second photo of the elderly folks sitting in the water made me shudder when it appeared in a news video here in the UK . Horrible to see that along with all the damage done by the storm and floodwaters .  Really feel for the folks in the Houston area , I've seen some heavy rainfall here in UK in my time but that was just on different scale . 4 feet of rain ,48'' in one go, just unbelievable !  Repeated again the next day or two !!!

     

    As you said nothing can cope with that much water in such a concentrated time . Looks like you have some good people there though , doing there best to help their neighbours . 

[BRG]

2nd floor of a nursing home in Dickinson near the Gulf Coast. U.S. Coast Guard en route to begin evac...

SECOND floor !  wow . That second photo of the elderly folks sitting in the water made me shudder when it appeared in a news video here in the UK .

 

What sickened me is that the first instinct was to photograph and video the poor old folk, instead of getting straight on with getting them into the dry,  Typical of our callous days where people get out their camera phones at an accident instead of helping save lives.

[AustinF1]

What sickened me is that the first instinct was to photograph and video the poor old folk, instead of getting straight on with getting them into the dry,  Typical of our callous days where people get out their camera phones at an accident instead of helping save lives.

That was my first reaction, too, but I think he may not have had any way to get them dry with the water that high. I'm not even certain the photographer was the one who tweeted it out in an effort to get them help.

[AustinF1]

​

[Chicagoindy16]

I booked my ticket to austin gp ! i chosed sunday, general admission. I was gonna do 3 day pass but i guess ill save the extra bucks. I hope it's going to be okay, im hoping i can find a good spot to stay. I am planning on going really early as soon as the gates open. I read they dont allow good in the track and no drinks except water. Any suggestions from any of you? where do you think I should settle? I'm hoping I can stay near Turn one but it might be packed really early. what do you guys think?

[AustinF1]

I booked my ticket to austin gp ! i chosed sunday, general admission. I was gonna do 3 day pass but i guess ill save the extra bucks. I hope it's going to be okay, im hoping i can find a good spot to stay. I am planning on going really early as soon as the gates open. I read they dont allow good in the track and no drinks except water. Any suggestions from any of you? where do you think I should settle? I'm hoping I can stay near Turn one but it might be packed really early. what do you guys think?

Turn 1 does fill up first, but if you're there when the gates open, nobody is really going to get a jump on you. Personally, I like the whole east side of the track (T3-11) the best, and I don't like to stay in one place, at least not on Friday and Saturday, but you aren't going for those days. I can understand wanting to stay put and follow the race on the monitor. Also, for others thinking of going, no need to buy a GS ticket, really. You chose well with your GA ticket. They've removed so many Grandstands over the years that all along the east side the GA views have improved every year and are really great now. 

 

Also, COTA has apparently discontinued their downtown shuttle, so if you had planned to use that, you'll have to find another way to the track. Not ideal. We also heard today that 3-day parking passes seem to be sold out, but that they'll still sell you individual day passes for all three days at a higher total cost. Weird.

Edited by AustinF1, 26 September 2017 - 06:19.

[Chicagoindy16]

thank you for replying so fast ! I am gonna try to be there as soon as possible, if turn 1 is not possible then im gonna try the east side like you said. About the parking situation, i was thinking we could park in a nearby parking lots. I read that there are two large parking lots a few miles from the track ( FM82 and FM973) and that the shuttle pick u up from there but since youre saying the shuttles are not working no more then I'm gonna have to find another option. I haven't bought the parking pass from COTA because it's so expensive. I hope I can find something else. like park at someone's house for a small fee or something. maybe I should give them a call to ask about the shuttle. any other suggestions?

[AustinF1]

thank you for replying so fast ! I am gonna try to be there as soon as possible, if turn 1 is not possible then im gonna try the east side like you said. About the parking situation, i was thinking we could park in a nearby parking lots. I read that there are two large parking lots a few miles from the track ( FM82 and FM973) and that the shuttle pick u up from there but since youre saying the shuttles are not working no more then I'm gonna have to find another option. I haven't bought the parking pass from COTA because it's so expensive. I hope I can find something else. like park at someone's house for a small fee or something. maybe I should give them a call to ask about the shuttle. any other suggestions?

To be clear, COTA has discontinued the downtown shuttle, but they'll still offer the park & ride shuttle lot (Lot Q at 812 and Doyle), but that will only be available on Saturday and Sunday, not Friday. Haven't read anything about lots at 812 & 973 this year. Yes, there will be non-COTA lots in the area that are usually cheaper and even offer rides to and from the circuit.

[Chicagoindy16]

oh okay ! yeah im staying at an airbnb, some 20 minutes away from the track. I guess it's gonna be a park and ride but I don't know which one. maybe it's too early to look into it now, but just in case, do you know which parking lot I should do to get to the track (turn 1)? are you going to the race? I am only attending Sunday that's why i gotta be there super early to make the full use of my day there.

[AustinF1]

oh okay ! yeah im staying at an airbnb, some 20 minutes away from the track. I guess it's gonna be a park and ride but I don't know which one. maybe it's too early to look into it now, but just in case, do you know which parking lot I should do to get to the track (turn 1)? are you going to the race? I am only attending Sunday that's why i gotta be there super early to make the full use of my day there.

Lot T is the best lot for turn1, but for some reason COTA only shows single day parking for sale in lots L and Q. For lots F, N, and T, they only show 3 day parking, and then when you try to buy it, the site says it's sold out. Something doesn't seem right. I'll probably be at the race, but not 100% sure yet. You could also likely park at Haywood's Hill out by T11 and Lot L. Kind of a hike from there to T1, but also much cheaper and you'd be close to the T11 entrance.

 

ETA: re park & rides, it looks like the Lot Q p&r will be the only one on offer, and then only for Sat & Sun.

 

http://www.circuitof...2017-f1/parking

 

Edited by AustinF1, 26 September 2017 - 06:56.

[Chicagoindy16]

thank you so much. man, it looks like the cheapest thing is this for sunday only: SUNDAY ONLY PARK-N-RIDE $40 LOT Q. if thats the cheapest option im gonna have to go with that then.

[AustinF1]

No worries! Let me find out how much Mr. Haywood will charge for parking this year. According to the map, that Lot Q shuttle will be dropping and picking up right by his place. If that's the case, you'd probably be better off going with him. His place goes from lot M to the track.

Edited by AustinF1, 26 September 2017 - 07:27.

[Chicagoindy16]

someone mentioned on reddit chris taylor racing, is that the same thing? ill them a call tomorrow, it's close to the track.