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

xpensive
xpensive
214
Joined: 22 Nov 2008, 18:06
Location: Somewhere in Scandinavia

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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My 25 years xperience from design engineering has told me that attention to detail and aesthetics is more often than not a reflection of the general competence behind the contraption in question, but on the other hand, after seeing that moon-vehicle in Houston live, it makes you wonder how they made it to the moon in the first place.

What's that, they never did, it was just a show?
"I spent most of my money on wine and women...I wasted the rest"

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

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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It was. But Star Trek was real.

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

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Circuitoftheamericas.com is back up and running, and with it so is Ticket Reservation info. $100 per seat to reserve your place in line to buy "Select Seating" which seems to be limited to the Main Grandstand and suites, but it's really not clear after reading the FAQs posted.

I guess I'll reserve comment for now, but I have questions about other things I found unclear:

- Come March 1, if I've paid my deposit, can I purchase a seat for 1 year without getting a PSL, or is March 1 for PSL sales only?
- Also, does my $100 deposit apply to the ticket price?
- Before I buy a PSL, I need to know how long the USGP is secured to be held at COTA. Without that information, PSLs are a no-go for me and my family. Is that available?
- If I'm not interested in seating or suites on the main straight, but I do want tickets in other grandstand areas toward the back of the track, does the deposit apply to these?


I'll submit these and let you all know what I hear.
Follow me on twitter @Austin_F1 ...

User avatar
WhiteBlue
92
Joined: 14 Apr 2008, 20:58
Location: WhiteBlue Country

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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From January 23 until February 13 fans can join the SSWL to be first in line to purchase a personal seat licence which will go on sale March 1, 2012. Personal seat licences will range in price from $1,000 to $5,000 per seat payable in two installments if desired, depending on proximity to the start/finish line and amenities. This licence entitles its holder to purchase tickets for all racing events at Circuit of The Americas for the next 15 years.

Select seating is focused on the main grandstand, which has approximately 9,000 seats in 26 rows. There is also expected to be high demand for the Turn 1 grandstand, which organisers claim features the clearest sightlines for the track's signature turn along with a view all the way to downtown Austin.
Formula One's fundamental ethos is about success coming to those with the most ingenious engineering and best .............................. organization, not to those with the biggest budget. (Dave Richards)

xpensive
xpensive
214
Joined: 22 Nov 2008, 18:06
Location: Somewhere in Scandinavia

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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"A persoanl seat license entitles its holder to purchase tickets for all racing events at Circuit of The Americas for the next 15 years."

For 5 000 dollars on a track that doesn't yet xist? Yeah right, I take two thank you.
"I spent most of my money on wine and women...I wasted the rest"

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

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Hey WB, where did you find this part? It answers one of my questions:
Select seating is focused on the main grandstand, which has approximately 9,000 seats in 26 rows.
ETA: Never mind. I found it.

http://en.espnf1.com/usa/motorsport/story/68369.html
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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LOL...both of the following are straight from the COTA site:
As you register for the waitlist, you'll be asked to pay a $100 deposit. This deposit applies to a spot on the waitlist, regardless of the amount of seats you're interested in purchasing.

In order to reserve your spot on the official Circuit of The Americas waitlist for suite and select seating opportunities, a $100 per seat deposit and contact information must be submitted at the following link: http://bit.ly/SelectSeatingDeposit
So...which is it?

This update has generated more questions and confusion than answers. Wonder when COTA will clarify.

Frankly, I'm embarrassed by this half-assed bs.
Follow me on twitter @Austin_F1 ...

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

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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That's pretty standard English. $100 deposit per spot on the list.

I personally think PSLs are immoral, but they've become almost standard for new sports venues these days. (Thanks, Premier League!) I'll be waiting for individual tickets to go on sale.

xpensive
xpensive
214
Joined: 22 Nov 2008, 18:06
Location: Somewhere in Scandinavia

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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See if I can get this straight now; I'm supposed to deposit 100 USD for having the chance to pay 1000 to 5000 USD just to be allowed to buy tickets for the next 15 years to races on a track which doesn't xist yet?
"I spent most of my money on wine and women...I wasted the rest"

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

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Yep. Standard PSL.

xpensive
xpensive
214
Joined: 22 Nov 2008, 18:06
Location: Somewhere in Scandinavia

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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I'm afraid that someone has seriously misjudged the international status of this event then.
"I spent most of my money on wine and women...I wasted the rest"

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

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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Not at all. CotA doesn't particularly care about you or its international status. A PSL is essentially a right of first refusal for all events - races, concerts, festivals, etc. - held at the track.

xpensive
xpensive
214
Joined: 22 Nov 2008, 18:06
Location: Somewhere in Scandinavia

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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And people are prepared to pay up to 5 kUSD for that privilege, on a track tat doesnt xist?
"I spent most of my money on wine and women...I wasted the rest"

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

Re: 2012 US GP to be held in Austin

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If the track existed, I don't know for sure that they'd be offering PSLs. PSLs are generally used to help finance initial construction or improvements to stadia. They are (sadly) quite common here in the States.

EDIT: To add a little context, many PSLs at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium sell for over US$150,000.

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:That's pretty standard English. $100 deposit per spot on the list.
Using the English I speak and read, the two statements I quoted are directly contradictory. Do you not see the contradiction?

Or maybe you weren't responding to me at all. Not sure.
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