Austin F1 Advice?

"Goodspeed23" (Goodspeed23)
04/09/2014 at 23:14 • Filed to: None

Hey guys, I am thinking of making a trip to Austin for the race in November and could use some general advice from anyone who has been.

For tickets I am considering grandstand tickets for turn 4, 5, 9, or 11 since those are the cheapest grandstand tickets available ($314). Any recommendation on which turn to choose?

Do you have to purchase a parking pass for $212?! Is there free parking just farther away? Or a better way to get to the circuit all together?

Hotels are booking quickly, but there are still a few near downtown Austin that don't break the bank. Haven't decided what to do for the room yet.

All in all, this won't be cheap but it's on the bucket list and will probably be an amazing experience! Thanks for any and all feedback/advice!

DISCUSSION (15)

Michael Flatter > Goodspeed23
04/09/2014 at 23:19

There is parking in private lots right outside the gate. Last year I paid probably 45 bucks for parking total between the three days. Could have paid less if I had walked a few hundred feat more.

Goodspeed23 > Michael Flatter
04/09/2014 at 23:20

Oh excellent. that is really good to know. thank you! Was it worth all the monies for tickets and such?

EL_ULY > Goodspeed23
04/09/2014 at 23:34

yeah, don't worry about a parking pass. I parked right across the grands stands parking for like $40. The drive out after the race will be a nightmare, hang out, walk the actual track, and let the traffic pass. Turn 5 stands are cool, you can see the colorful curves, you get a monitor with sound from the broadcast, you get to see the straight away , you get a good view of turn 12 (passing) and best of all, toilets and food :] Be ready to walk dude. The hills will kill your calves lol. Things seem close but trust me, they are not. Turn one is a lot higher than it looks. as for lodging, I don;t know. I live in Houston and hang out in San Antonio (45min away) that race weekend.

Stef Schrader > Goodspeed23
04/09/2014 at 23:41

Um, yes. Go! I was in T5 the first year. Pretty awesome. The esses were the best for the Porsche races, IMHO. Shakin' that rump. I'm not sure how the F1 cars will sound this year, but the off-throttle growl was cool to hear in that section. I recommend walking around for the support races and practice and such, though. I can't remember if 4 or 5 stuck out more towards the track, but I remember wishing one of the grandstands was invisible so I could see around the corner. Get as far on the right/down-track edge as possible if you're looking in T5.

I haven't sat in T9 or T11. We went for T12 last year. That was a cool section, but pricey.

My friend does parking in his yard across the street: http://christaylorracing.com/cota-services/… $50 for the whole weekend and pretty much everywhere along the way does the same thing.

They had shuttles running from free/cheap lots that worked well the first year, but they kind of backed off from that last year with fewer lots. Sucks, 'cause the shuttles worked. Well.

Michael Flatter > Goodspeed23
04/10/2014 at 00:26

I enjoyed it very much- and its a really good time, worth my money. I will say though that if you are planning on eating at the circuit at all, you are going to pay a ridiculous amount for just a hot dog or whatever. Also, if you want to find decent parking, or just have an easier time getting in and our of the area you are best off getting over there pretty early.

Oh, and just be prepared to deal with traffic. Austin has bad enough traffic as it is, but it gets bad for the race. Actually, It wasn't that bad on saturday, but Friday night and Sunday after the race it is pretty awful.

Javi_in_1080p > Goodspeed23
04/10/2014 at 01:03

Hey man are hotels really booking that quickly? I already bought my tickets for the race but haven't booked a hotel. Didn't think they'd book so early. Have any suggestions for a hotel?

OkCars- 22k Crossroads > Goodspeed23
04/10/2014 at 01:06

-If you want to buy souvenirs team gear shirts etc.
1. DO IT ON FRIDAY cause there will be crowds not lines in saturday and sunday.
2. Check many selling posts because they often have the same thing cheaper in another one.
3. Look for remaining merchandise of 2013 or 2012, Its cheaper and you dont even notice the difference. Lotus cap 2013 $70 (my 2012 lotus cap $20 ).

4. After the race, when the track is almost empty. You see some stuff is on sale. OH they gave my little brother a marussia shirt for FREE. And some COTA binoculars as well.
At the gate the people that check for tickets gave us some COTA 2013 F1 pins.

-Know where to park, it could be a nightmare if your bleacher is far from there. as EL ULY says. Distances are cruel even if it doesnt look far.

-Hang around at the track as every day ends, its more relaxing that spending hours in a traffic jam inside your car. Last year we were able to walk the grid straight and watch the cars closely on the pit lane being checked by the FIA.

Goodspeed23 > OkCars- 22k Crossroads
04/10/2014 at 09:00

I heard Austin was rather hipster, so I'm surprised the 2012 hat didnt cost more than the 2013.

Thanks for the advice! Definitely want to pick something up for the memories.

Goodspeed23 > Stef Schrader
04/10/2014 at 09:08

Sounds like turn 5 is the place to be! I did look at turn 12 cause it looks pretty awesome, but tickets start getting crazy.

Thanks for the parking tip. $50 for the weekend is very reasonable.

How is the cab situation? I want to stay downtown to be near the nightlife after the races, so im thinking of renting a car to get to the track. But also considering staying near the airport and just cabbing downtown to/fro bars. Austin needs UBER!

Goodspeed23 > EL_ULY
04/10/2014 at 09:11

I better start hitting that weird calf-raises machine at the gym. You know, the one right next to the unusually steep elliptical and thigh master.

I will definitely try to stick around after the races. Ain't nobody got time to sit in traffic when there is a beautiful circuit to behold.

Toilets! That is definitely a must. Thanks!

Goodspeed23 > Javi_in_1080p
04/10/2014 at 09:14

Depends on whether or not you want to stay in downtown by the nightlife or by the airport which is closer to the track. There are places available, but they are in the 2/5 star range. Otherwise, you gotta start spending crazy money for a decent hotel. $750/night for a Hyatt?! pleaaaaaaase.

I have been using kayak.com

EL_ULY > Goodspeed23
04/10/2014 at 09:31

cool! I'll see you there :]

mycarneverruns87 > Goodspeed23
04/10/2014 at 09:36

I had general admission tickets and LOVED it! My friend and I moved around the entire track and watched from every turn. We brought chairs and had a good time. 11 was one of my favorite turns as you could see a lot from there. We took the bus from near the track which saved tons of headache parking. it was a good way of doing it IMO.

Stef Schrader > Goodspeed23
04/10/2014 at 10:08

The cab situation is pretty pitiful, TBH—especially late at night. Pedicabs are plenty, but if you want to get outside of downtown, you're often stuck waiting WAY too long for it. I had a friend explore things via bus who said it wasn't bad, but yeah.

They've run a shuttle from the airport to COTA before, though. That's where we parked the first year. Pretty decent if they're still doing that. I would definitely call and ask on that one, though.

Vance Facundo > Goodspeed23
04/10/2014 at 10:49

Camp next to COTA http://www.haywoodshill.com