Tips for Formula 1 in Austin

"gometz" (gometz) 10/13/2013 at 18:10 • Filed to: None

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Last year me and my father missed out on tickets until it was too late (or too expensive), so this year we were on top of our game and ordered early (still waiting for them to get shipped to us though).

Some questions though: what are the rules and does anyone have some tips?

- Can we bring in a cooler and chairs?

- Best GA area to watch from?

Thank you in advance. I may end up with a spare ticket since it looks like my fiance will be unable to attend.

EDIT: thanks for the responses. Now I am trying to determine parking, but I need to talk to my buddy who I think has 2 or 3 passes. Luckily lodging is covered by my parents living in Austin (my father is even debating renting out a room or two since they have 3 spare ones)

PushToStart > gometz 10/13/2013 at 18:22

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Chairs- yes (it would be best if they weren't too big though)
Coolers- no. I managed to bring in some little things in my back pack last year (sandwiches and water) but nothing big like that.

I explored the whole track and different vantage points and decided turn 19 is best. You can see the run into turn 1 pretty well, and also the last 2 turns and the straight in between.

I would suggest getting/bringing some binoculars too, that helps you see turn 1 really well.

gometz > PushToStart 10/13/2013 at 18:30

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Thank you. Awesome that we can bring in chairs, I was worried about standing all day.

I think I have some binoculars laying around, but may have to borrow some from friends that hunt (though it is in the middle of hunting season).

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > gometz 10/13/2013 at 19:03

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Some of us on Oppo were at the track last year. From my personal experience I'll mention a few things

1. Chairs - If you and your dad can carry a foldable chair like this one ( link ) then consider carrying one. You might be able to get by sitting on the grass for 3 days ( I did) but your dad might appreciate a chair (my wife did).

2. Food - Food at the track is pretty expensive. If you get there by the first shuttle and leave at the end of the day you'll need to have b'fast, lunch along with something in the evening. If you don't mind spending, go ahead and eat there. But, especially for the morning, carry something to eat. You can take in food in your backpack under a few bottles of water and a blanket if you're planning on sitting on the grass. So keep that in mind.

3. On Friday, walk around the track. There are shuttles running around the track the whole day. So make use of them if you're tired, especially at the end of the day :) Walking is faster though.

4. Best place for GA? Like I said, walk around the track on Friday between sessions and see for yourself. Popular opinion is that the hairpin is the best, followed by turn 1. On raceday, irrespective of where you want to sit, hairpin or turn 1, get there at the earliest and pitch your tent, so to speak. It gets pretty crowded.

5. As for coolers, they aren't allowed (stupid, I know). So carry a nice big backpack and fill it with bottles of water, food, sunscreen, sunglasses etc. Take a hat along or get one there. There is some texas bbq available too if you're inclined :)

Enjoy! I wish I could go this year but I don't want to see Vettel win again.

gometz > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents 10/13/2013 at 19:22

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Thank you.

I have some small cooler bags, maybe we can bring in that filled with some food and water, then bring chairs in.

Oh: and I want to Vettel win, even though it seems like after India it won't matter anymore.

Axel-Ripper > gometz 10/13/2013 at 19:22

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As much as everyone said about infrastructure last year, we took back roads in and had no issue at all (had parking pass outside T1). Food is pretty expensive, but there's a HUGE variety of it spread around. Basically food trucks everywhere.

I'd suggest sitting in a GA area where you can see a TV. Otherwise its pretty hard to follow whats going on. I second the motion of wandering around the track. We had T2 grandstand tickets (looked like a good spot on their site, actually wasn't that great, I'd go T12 or T1 if I could afford it) so it was kind of moot, but it was cool to watch T1 since you can see everything, T11 hairpin because you can watch them scream off down the (not very straight) back straight, and for a bit stand in the braking zone for T12. Wow. Amazing how fast they can brake, and then accelerate out of the next corner, plus the violence of the downshifts.

Either way, have fun. I'd also suggest making it a point to go downtown at least one of the nights. If they've got the same setup as they had last year its quite the event.

gometz > Axel-Ripper 10/13/2013 at 19:28

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I grew up and went to college in Austin, haven't been back to downtown since I graduated. Is it any better than normal? Or is it the usual crowd just more crowded?

PushToStart > gometz 10/13/2013 at 19:30

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I didn't bring a chair last year and was fine sitting on the ground because the seating area is a hill, so the people infront of me weren't blocking my view. I'll probably bring one this year though so I have a back rest...
Another good place to watch is turn 1. I suggest if you have multiple day passes to just walk around a bit and decide where you want to sit, watch some of the supporting races from different places and walking around to see where is good. Basically all the GA areas offer a good view though, so it's hard to go wrong!

Axel-Ripper > gometz 10/13/2013 at 19:34

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Last year they had like 4-5 blocks shut off with tents and stuff from the big sponsors, plus more stages. This on top of the normal Austin goings-on.

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > gometz 10/13/2013 at 21:05

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Technically outside food is not allowed. So I'd not really be obvious about carrying food.

f86sabre > gometz 10/13/2013 at 21:11

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Go in early and stay late. Last ear you could sit anywhere on Friday, but they were checking tickets Saturday and Sunday. Kind of sucked because for Indy it was open on Saturday as well.

We had seats in turn 11 and they were ok.

Lots of people were able to sneak stuff in. The guys from Mexico sitting in front of us had a camelback full of whiskey. We sat in the stands "to let traffic clear" so long drinking whiskey and coke that we saw them start to paint over the sponsor marking on the track run off in the hairpin. No joke.

If Will Buxton has another karaoke charity thing go. Don't think twice, just go.

John The Race Fan > gometz 10/13/2013 at 22:15

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Coolers: No.
Chairs: Yes.
I took in all the bottled water I could carry in my backpack with camera and other stuff. Lots of people had small snacks or sandwiches that they packed. As long as you're discrete about it, you won't have a problem.

Best viewing area for G.A.?
That's tough. There are lots of great viewing areas for different reasons.

Turn 1 has great sightlines of the start/finish through turn 1 and into the esses. But it was packed last year. I was in that scrum on race day.

Turn 11 is great, especially if you want still photos of cars. They are slowing way down, so getting clear stills is easy. If you're making video, that corner is good for that, as well.
I was in T11 during the first practice session on Friday last year.

There are several G.A areas between turns 2 and 11, also known as the esses. If you like watching drivers put all their precision to good use, this is one of two areas that are perfect for that.

The other area is anywhere from turns 12 thru 19. The high-speed triple apex combination of turns 16-18 is especially fun to watch. Turn 19 is a nice viewing area because you're close to the grand plaza and everything that entails (sponsor displays, merch booths, food, restrooms, main exit). But on race day, this area fills up very quickly.
One downside to turn 19 is that with all the people packed in, you will only see turn 19 and the entrance to turn 20.
For other events with lower attendance, you'll be able to see more from this area.

The tip about taking back roads and coming in on FM21 is spot-on if you're going to one of the adjacent camping/parking areas like Haywood's Hill or parking at the track itself. If you're parking off-site at the downtown lot or the Expo Center lot, take whatever route works best.

From what I understand this year, the downtown fan fest will be bigger, since they are sharing the weekend with the UT/A&M football game (a big rivalry game, for those that don't follow college football). They estimate about 100,000 attending both the game on Saturday and the race on Sunday, with minimal crossover.
Expect a clusterfuck wherever you go.

Honestly, that's the main reason I chose not to go to the USGP this year.

And a plug for my buddy: The Land Yacht. If you need a cab, why not take a cab with some style. Or at least some entertainment.

dapper_otter > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents 10/13/2013 at 22:32

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Regarding food, I recommend carrying some kind of meal replacement shake (Orgain is my preference, something like Ensure would also work) and keep it discretely hidden in your bag. Something high in vitamins and calories that can help carry you through the day and keep you from spending a ton with the on-site vendors The bag searches aren't intense so it's pretty easy to sneak in small things. I've found that a few of these and some big bottles of water get me through each race day pretty easily.

gometz > John The Race Fan 10/13/2013 at 22:32

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Thanks for the response, the tips about spots for pictures will be great for my dad, who is obsessed with photography.

We are still trying to figure out parking, haven't bought passes. Otherwise we might pay one of the neighborhood kids to drive us and pick us up or catch a ride with friends. He lives in southwest Austin so it won't be too far of a drive, but I am trying to figure out where lot Q is.

BTW: the UT vs A&M game doesn't happen anymore, A&M went to the SEC. That weekend we are playing OK State (not really a big rivalry, just a long standing game).

gometz > Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents 10/13/2013 at 22:39

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Ah that is something no one pointed out. So outside food is not allowed, but water is right?

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > gometz 10/13/2013 at 23:00

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Water in sealed bottles is what their website states. And outside food isn't allowed too. You can sneak in your own food by hiding it under something in your backpack. That's how we did it. The bag checks at the entrance aren't like the rubber glove treatment at airports. They have to let in a lot of people in quick time when the gates open, so they'll be perfunctory for the most part.

John The Race Fan > gometz 10/14/2013 at 05:45

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I thought I saw A&M when I Googled the schedule. Maybe I found an older schedule?
Either way, the crowds in Austin will be insane. If it were just me, I'd go. My wife and three year-old wouldn't be as accommodating.

My cab driver buddy says that a trip to/from the track will average about 50-75 bucks, depending on how many passengers and the final destination. The bulk of the fare is the time spent waiting in long lines of traffic.

I think you can get "unofficial" parking at Haywood's Hill and other properties that are near to the circuit. They are also utilizing the pedi-cabs that are usually shuffling people around downtown at the circuit to move people from gates to parking areas on the circuit property. From the main exit to parking lot A was a $20 ride (not including tip) during ALMS/WEC weekend a few weeks ago.

Your idea of having a friend drive you to/from is a good idea. I'd also recommend taking back roads like FM21 to get t the track from the north & east side. The vast majority of traffic will be coming from the east and south, which is where COTA tells out-of-area visitors to go.

Another option they offered last year was a bicycle ride from Mora Park to the circuit. You had to pay to park your bike and bring your own lock. But they had wash-up facilities at the park so cyclists don't go to the race smelling like Lance Armstrong's testicle at the top of L'Alpe D'Huez. If you're bringing any amount of gear (folding chairs, camera bag, etc.) this probably isn't for you.

John The Race Fan > f86sabre 10/14/2013 at 05:47

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I tweeted to Mr. Buxton yesterday about having a 2014 fan meet-n-greet-n-drink. He is fully intending on having one, but no details are released.

He would not say what color pants he would wear. I suppose that bar conditions dictate what compound of pants Pirelli suggests he wear.

John The Race Fan > gometz 10/14/2013 at 05:51

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It appears that COTA hasn't updated facility maps on their website yet.

John The Race Fan > gometz 10/14/2013 at 05:54

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So the kinja quote editor isn't playing nice this morning.
Take five...

So CotA has yet to update the facility/parking maps on their website.

I'm pretty certain that lot Q is outside turn 1, way in the back toward Elroy road.

gometz > John The Race Fan 10/14/2013 at 08:07

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The one really annoying thing about the location of COTA is that it is most easily accessible from every direction but the west, which is where I will be coming from. To get there from the part of town my parents live in we will either have to go through Ben White (south central, gets backed up easily) or go way south and take 45/130. If they ever combined the old 2.5 mile section of 45 to the new one it would be a lot easier.