COTA Austin - construction and infrastructure

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What do you think of the prospect of a USGP 2012 at Austin Texas

Good thinking. Place has good infra structure and nice climate in winter.
126
47%
Not good as it has no motor sport tradition in the US.
23
9%
I will wait to see how it will shape up.
97
36%
I don't care.
23
9%
 
Total votes: 269

hairy_scotsman
hairy_scotsman
15
Joined: 13 Nov 2010, 22:47

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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RacingManiac wrote:The price is inline with Montreal prices IIRC. Which isn't terrible. I'd imagine lodging is not that different neither. Montreal does have a good subway system that lets you not have to worry about driving at all. I recall Indy's ticket was much cheaper, but I think thats more of an anomaly...
The 3-day GA price isn't too far off of Montreal, but the average of all prices/sections (minus PSLs) at COTA is $655.

At Montreal it's $365.
Follow me on twitter @Austin_F1 ...

hairy_scotsman
hairy_scotsman
15
Joined: 13 Nov 2010, 22:47

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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bhallg2k wrote:I must say that its layout appears ideal for fans in attendance who should be able to see 90-95% of the track from every vantage point.
That's pretty generous, but there are a couple of spots where you can see about 75% of the track. There are many spots where you can see much more than you can at a typical road circuit.
Follow me on twitter @Austin_F1 ...

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FW17
170
Joined: 06 Jan 2010, 10:56

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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hairy_scotsman wrote:
RacingManiac wrote:The price is inline with Montreal prices IIRC. Which isn't terrible. I'd imagine lodging is not that different neither. Montreal does have a good subway system that lets you not have to worry about driving at all. I recall Indy's ticket was much cheaper, but I think thats more of an anomaly...
The 3-day GA price isn't too far off of Montreal, but the average of all prices/sections (minus PSLs) at COTA is $655.

At Montreal it's $365.

PSL tickets are season passes for 2 other races. Level of service expected in the PSL class will be comparable if not better to the paddock club without the pit and grid access.

COTA prices for individual passes are as good as it gets.

Pup
Pup
50
Joined: 08 May 2008, 17:45

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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He's been pushing that line all day on other boards. Don't bother arguing with him - he's well practiced by now.

bhall
bhall
244
Joined: 28 Feb 2006, 21:26

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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I think you have to buy season tickets in addition to a PSL. But, as an added bonus, a PSL gives one "the right" to then buy on-site parking. So generous...

User avatar
raymondu999
54
Joined: 04 Feb 2010, 07:31

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Pup wrote:He's been pushing that line all day on other boards. Don't bother arguing with him - he's well practiced by now.
Eh? Who? Would've asked through PM, except I can't seem to PM you
失败者找理由,成功者找方法

hairy_scotsman
hairy_scotsman
15
Joined: 13 Nov 2010, 22:47

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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WilliamsF1 wrote:PSL tickets are season passes for 2 other races. Level of service expected in the PSL class will be comparable if not better to the paddock club without the pit and grid access.

COTA prices for individual passes are as good as it gets.
Never heard that about the level of service for PSL holders. So people at t1 or t15 are going to get Paddock Club treatment?

The bottom line is that if you want to see the USGP from those seats, that's the price you'll pay. V8s & ALMS won't sell out, so those tickets will be cheap & easy.
Pup wrote:He's been pushing that line all day on other boards. Don't bother arguing with him - he's well practiced by now.
Some don't like how the comparison shakes out, so they attack it, but it's pretty easy to defend. It's a simple comparison. Nothing tricky about it, and leaving the PSL cost out helps COTA.
Follow me on twitter @Austin_F1 ...

mantikos
mantikos
35
Joined: 02 Mar 2011, 17:35

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Any ideas on which turns would provide the best views (I don't have PSL)

Pup
Pup
50
Joined: 08 May 2008, 17:45

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Consensus around the net seems to be that 12 is the best bet. From the higher seats at least, it looks like you should see turns 2-9 as well as 12-16. And there's the possibility you could see a bit of 1 and maybe over the hill to 11 as well. That one is well worth the $500 imo. Of course we won't really know until people actually report back after the race. You never know what structures might get set up that block views.

mantikos
mantikos
35
Joined: 02 Mar 2011, 17:35

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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I should've mentioned, OTHER THAN 12

Sorry, the wife won't let me spend a grand on 2 seats...

Pup
Pup
50
Joined: 08 May 2008, 17:45

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Personally, I'd do GA, but if she needs a sheet of aluminum under her tush, then my pick would probably be 5. You wouldn't see much passing action unless you can see across to 12, but it should be loads of fun to watch the cars through the esses.

Maybe 11, but apart from the possibility of the hairpin pass, it seems sort of remote.

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strad
117
Joined: 02 Jan 2010, 01:57

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Just found out the sister is moving to Mississippi so I guess I won't crash there.
To achieve anything, you must be prepared to dabble on the boundary of disaster.”
Sir Stirling Moss

Pup
Pup
50
Joined: 08 May 2008, 17:45

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Close ups of the canopy structure from MRA...

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I think I'd have simplified the structure. I like the idea, but it's not the most elegant bit of detailing I've seen.

And I'm surprised that there's no splice plate here. Messy, messy...

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And some general grandstand shots...

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Last edited by Pup on 06 Jun 2012, 19:37, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Steven
Owner
Joined: 19 Aug 2002, 18:32
Location: Belgium

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Anybody wants to be a volunteer during the weekend?
http://circuitoftheamericas.com/ wrote:Circuit of the Americas has partnered with the Austin Sports Commission to develop regional force of volunteers for various events throughout the area. This joint venture will allow those interested in volunteering at events to become an ambassador for Austin, with the first volunteer opportunity being the 2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX™, November 16-18. Starting today, a link to the volunteer sign-up page will be available at http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com and http://www.austintexas.org/sports-commission.

Pup
Pup
50
Joined: 08 May 2008, 17:45

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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It looks like single-day tickets haven't been ruled out...

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/ ... e_ame.html
Circuit of the Americas will start with 50,000 general admission passes for a Formula One race planned for Nov. 16 through 18.

...

Prices announced yesterday are for turns 2, 3, 4, 5, the hairpin Turn 11 and 12. Those grandstands will have a total capacity of between 25,000 and 40,000, depending on demand, Moore said.

Organizers will watch demand for three-day passes before considering whether to sell single-day tickets, Moore said.

The main grandstand, the only grandstand that will be covered, will seat about 9,000 people, officials have said. Capacity at Turn 1 and Turn 15 is still being finalized, Moore said.

Other grandstands around the track, including between turns 9 and 10 and turns 19 and 20, will be used for corporate hospitality, but Moore was not able to provide details about them.