COTA Austin - construction and infrastructure

[hairy_scotsman]

It's just the usual two suspects here plus one very vocal guy from Austin who's got a stiffy for Tavo and spends his time fear mongering on every F1 board I know. Add in a few sheep that they've herded up and it looks like a bigger deal than it is.

LOL...Keep thinking that. Whatever makes you feel better.
Check these out. Yeah I'm there, but I'm not the only one by a long shot.

Tons of complaints on COTA's own Facebook page in the comments under the articles. Doesn't matter the topic. people are pissed about the ticket scheme and tired of being delayed and jerked around:

https://www.facebook.com/CircuitofTheAmericas

Hell, just look at the comments on their own website:

http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/cir ... as-tickets

3+ pages of people on the SPEEDTV forum complaining or stating they've decided not to attend directly due to policies of this leadership:

http://my.speedtv.com/go/thread/view/55 ... etc.?pg=20

40-50 posts on the AutoSport forum in the same vein. Here's the last page:

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?s ... 52&st=2880


You gonna buy a PSL or not? Why?

BTW, nobody without a financial interest in COTA (and few with one) has done more than me & my buddies have to help this project along. The COTA crew knows that, & you probably do, too.

[bhall]

Same in Alabama. The headline of the Birmingham News today was literally: "Winter Has Come and Gone(But Who Knew?)

I had no idea Alabamians could read.

I guess you really do learn something new every day.

[hairy_scotsman]

Here are some new photos I shot today at COTA:

There are 8 more here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 878&type=1

[bhall]

That wall still looks like sh*t.

[xpensive]

That wall still looks like sh*t.

I'm not so sure anymore, it has grown on me and now I feel it blends in just fine with the dirt-track image in general?

But we'll see what inspiration, if any, the Cota xecutives might return with from the faraway races in a month or two?

[strad]

You're talking over a quarter million people all streaming off of I-35 and onto roads that weren't even reallly paved at the time.

See that's the problem..IF you had been at Phoenix you'd understand.You and I might find it acceptable but Bernie and Them and some on here don't ever think anything is good enough, and so they will rip us apart over things like access or if the Charmin isn't soft enough.
I have said access to many F1 races is abysmal but we are going to have to have that perfect..Or Else.
CotA has mentioned grass seating and already there were cries of insufficient seating and laughter...Of course some of the best racing I ever watched was from a grassy hillside and there seemed to be quite a bit of grass seating in Australia and India, but even I wouldn't want either dusty dry or mud, so if there ain't enough grass in place we will get marked down for that.
I have said,,I think the track itself will be a winner,,It's the infrastructure and presentation I fear will be lacking and provide those willing to pick on something as insignificant as a wall plenty of ammunition.

[hairy_scotsman]

That wall still looks like sh*t.

I'm not so sure anymore, it has grown on me and now I feel it blends in just fine with the dirt-track image in general?

But we'll see what inspiration, if any, the Cota xecutives might return with from the faraway races in a month or two?

I really can't see these guys actually adding anything at this point. They've already gutted this project in their effort to get on schedule.

The tower is still in the plans though. Thank goodness. It's critical!

[hairy_scotsman]

Get your PPPSLs now. Only $2000, and they're going fast!

[Pup]

You gonna buy a PSL or not?

No.

Why?

Because I'm not from Texas.

If I were from Texas, I still wouldn't buy one because they're too expensive for me.

But here's the thing - I'm smart enough and not egotistical enough to know that just because something isn't marketed to me, it doesn't mean it's going to be a failure.

It may well end up being a failure. But none of us have any clue whether it will be or not, and none of us have anywhere near the marketing expertise nor the data to even make an educated guess whether it will be or not, so it's sort of pointless arguing about it - or ranting about it every chance you have.

The guys in charge of the ticketing kind of know their stuff. They seem to do ok filling the Cowboys stadium and last I checked there weren't too many empty seats at Yankee's games. So they know how to pack a venue and furthermore they know Texas, so I don't see any reason at this point to doubt that they have a handle on the race. PSL's are for wealthy Texans and wealthier non-Texans - we're not either of those, I'm sorry to say, but that doesn't mean that there aren't enough of them to fill the two grandstands they've reserved for them.

Maybe there are and maybe there aren't, but I'm not going to project my disappointment in not being among them to run around yelling DOOOOOOM! like you are.

[hairy_scotsman]

You gonna buy a PSL or not?

No.

Why?

Because I'm not from Texas.

Valid reason. If you lived here, would you?

[xpensive]

...

So that's what they needed that mother of all cranes for?

[hairy_scotsman]

...

So that's what they needed that mother of all cranes for?

LOL...

...but no. That's not the mother. The mother is over to the left working on the GS.

[munudeges]

So that's what they needed that mother of all cranes for?

Quite appropriate really.......

[hairy_scotsman]

Check out this amazing Canadian GP package Hellmund & his wife Aryn just donated to the Austin Children's Shelter's fundraising auction. Very cool.

http://www.austinchildrenshelter.org/si ... n_Formula1

The Austin Children’s Shelter is pleased to announce the “Ultimate” Formula One™ Grand Prix Package available through live auction this Friday, March 23rd at the Austin Fashion for Compassion Event. This exclusive VIP access package includes:

Driver Meet and Greet with 2012 favorites Michael Schumacher (Mercedes/AMG F1 team) and Mark Webber (Red Bull F1 team)
2 Exclusive Paddock Passes,
F1 VIP Hospitality with 2 reserved seats,
Round-trip airfare for two, and
3 nights luxury hotel accommodations for two for the Grand Prix Du Canada race, June 8-10, 2012 in Montréal, QC, Canada

Package Details
The driver "meet and greet" will include a rare private meeting and photo opportunity with Michael Schumacher and Mark Webber, as well as a quick tour of their race cars. Michael Schumacher (Germany), driver for the Mercedes/AMG F1 team, is a seven-time Formula One World Champion, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time. He holds many of the Formula's driver records including the most championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions, points scored and most races won in a single season – 13 in 2004. According to the official Formula One website, he is "statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen.” Mark Webber (Australia), driver for the Red Bull F1 team, is a reigning F1 championship team driver, 7-time Formula One race winner (including the 2010 Monaco Grand Prix), and a 2012 World Championship favorite.

The luxury hotel is ideally located so guests may enjoy the best of Montréal, and will also host top Formula One personnel. The surrounding neighborhood of Old Montreal abounds with magnificent architecture, art galleries, cafés, boutiques and some of the city’s finest restaurants. The Old Port, with its IMAX theatre and river cruises, is steps away from the Palais des Congrès convention center, Multimedia City and downtown Montreal.

The Formula One Grand Prix Du Canada is the longest running Grand Prix held outside of Europe, running over 30 editions in Montréal. It is one of the most sought-after races to attend on the annual calendar, and draws some of the largest crowds in the circuit. Scheduled for June 8-10, 2012 in Montréal, QC, Canada, this package will provide all the romance of Formula One in an unforgettable way. This package represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for any true Formula One racing fan, as well as the opportunity to help Austin-are children.

[FW17]

Check out this amazing Canadian GP package Hellmund & his wife Aryn just donated to the Austin Children's Shelter's fundraising auction. Very cool.

http://www.austinchildrenshelter.org/si ... n_Formula1

The Austin Children’s Shelter is pleased to announce the “Ultimate” Formula One™ Grand Prix Package available through live auction this Friday, March 23rd at the Austin Fashion for Compassion Event. This exclusive VIP access package includes:

Driver Meet and Greet with 2012 favorites Michael Schumacher (Mercedes/AMG F1 team) and Mark Webber (Red Bull F1 team)
2 Exclusive Paddock Passes,
F1 VIP Hospitality with 2 reserved seats,
Round-trip airfare for two, and
3 nights luxury hotel accommodations for two for the Grand Prix Du Canada race, June 8-10, 2012 in Montréal, QC, Canada

Package Details
The driver "meet and greet" will include a rare private meeting and photo opportunity with Michael Schumacher and Mark Webber, as well as a quick tour of their race cars. Michael Schumacher (Germany), driver for the Mercedes/AMG F1 team, is a seven-time Formula One World Champion, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time. He holds many of the Formula's driver records including the most championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions, points scored and most races won in a single season – 13 in 2004. According to the official Formula One website, he is "statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen.” Mark Webber (Australia), driver for the Red Bull F1 team, is a reigning F1 championship team driver, 7-time Formula One race winner (including the 2010 Monaco Grand Prix), and a 2012 World Championship favorite.

The luxury hotel is ideally located so guests may enjoy the best of Montréal, and will also host top Formula One personnel. The surrounding neighborhood of Old Montreal abounds with magnificent architecture, art galleries, cafés, boutiques and some of the city’s finest restaurants. The Old Port, with its IMAX theatre and river cruises, is steps away from the Palais des Congrès convention center, Multimedia City and downtown Montreal.

The Formula One Grand Prix Du Canada is the longest running Grand Prix held outside of Europe, running over 30 editions in Montréal. It is one of the most sought-after races to attend on the annual calendar, and draws some of the largest crowds in the circuit. Scheduled for June 8-10, 2012 in Montréal, QC, Canada, this package will provide all the romance of Formula One in an unforgettable way. This package represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for any true Formula One racing fan, as well as the opportunity to help Austin-are children.

Too bad this is something you and I cant bid for. May be we should bitch about this too.