United States Grand Prix - Formula One (F1) - Austin

[Darren M]

65,360 attendance today.

Cars sound amazing. Shuttle to track was pretty nice.

Fantastic! I went through Austin yesterday from Corpus. Took the toll and counted at LEAST 50 cops on the toll. Glad to see this "seem" to be working out!

[Unicorn Jeff]

State troopers are everywhere right now around the Austin area. I was taking 130 north from SA and got pulled over for my smoked taillights and no license plate. Had the cruise set at 87 as well and he didn't even mention that. Gave me a warning though

[momo]

65,360 attendance today.

Cars sound amazing. Shuttle to track was pretty nice.

[Ruffdaddy]

FIA doesn't allow your surface that they specify, to be used up all year long. Some F1 tracks are only allowed moto gp, nothing else, depends on the individual deal, but bernie is pretty fucking picky about what you do with your facility during the rest of the year. Signage around the course is also, you guessed it, has to be approved by bernie. It's really hard to sell sponsorship for a facility, when your main meal ticket event won't let any of those signs show during the tv broadcast............

Do you just hate F1, or are you mad that you were wrong about the track completion...or is this some other deep rooted issue I'm unfamiliar with?

[Wicked98Snake]

I posted a weekend pass for sale in the classifieds if anyone is looking to go see this race.

[Grape]

FIA doesn't allow your surface that they specify, to be used up all year long. Some F1 tracks are only allowed moto gp, nothing else, depends on the individual deal, but bernie is pretty fucking picky about what you do with your facility during the rest of the year. Signage around the course is also, you guessed it, has to be approved by bernie. It's really hard to sell sponsorship for a facility, when your main meal ticket event won't let any of those signs show during the tv broadcast............

[Bputacoma]

I've been there the last few days working (roller shades in the media section) and it is nowhere near done for the facilities, but the track and pits are all done. I got a tour of the Toro Rosso team today and that was pretty cool..

You bastard! I'm jealous!

Who's gonna be in town for the race?

[Sick88lx]

Ran into one of the Ferrari challenge teams last night. They were from LA and were very impressed with the track and Austin itself. Lol they kept saying your gas is $3 your gas is $3....he'll you can afford to drive a truck here. Another guy was like are your drink prices normally this cheap, after he paid $12 a round for 2 rum/coke and a dos xx. I told him had he got there an hour ago it would be half that. He nearly hit the floor and said 1 rum/coke would run him $12 wherever the hell he's from. They did have Ferrari of Beverly Hills on their shirts so one can only imagine what country clubs they were used to, lol.

[suckerdin]

To anyone concerned about traffic being an "issue":

Have you ever heard of SXSW? Or even ACL for that matter.

while not quite the same scale the football games should be included.

[Slowhand]

To anyone concerned about traffic being an "issue":

Have you ever heard of SXSW? Or even ACL for that matter.

[bird_dog0347]

Tell you what, I'll have the wife contact our buddy at COTA and ask what the real rental price is and I will report back. I do know they are trying to keep the actual number quiet but we will see.

That would kick ass, but I wonder if they even have that price set yet?

[aggie97]

All of those listed things are exactly why I think they will do more days at a lower price. If they can't sell the track days at $1k/person/day, then they will have to do twice as many at half the price... They will be forced to do it just to make money. But as you said, it will only be limited by the contact terms with Bernie.

As for motorcycle track days (mainly where my interest lies) I know a few TD orgs are already working on it but haven't announced it yet.

Tell you what, I'll have the wife contact our buddy at COTA and ask what the real rental price is and I will report back. I do know they are trying to keep the actual number quiet but we will see.

[bird_dog0347]

It will have to be some sort of permanant school like Bondurant or Skip Barber to draw nationally and those two schools are shutting down locations as they just aren't packing in customers. Local groups cannot front the $50k-70k for a weekend rental and hope to sell 80-100car event at $1000 each. Half of your customers will only want the $500 for a one day event and you are screwed. Drivers Edge might be able to pull it off but track rental for driving school type stuff ain't going to happen unless they rent the track at a competitive rate with other tracks in the state. That competitive rental with EMS staff and insurance is about $17,500 per weekend. I don't see them chasing that market for a couple of years and may not be able to under contract Terms from Bernie. Insurance for an HPDE event may be problematic as well. At most tracks, I can buy a rider as an additionally insured entity for around $800 or less for the weekend. Depending on how COTA has been covered as a Major Event Facility, you might not be able to do that. If my school had to buy a separate policy for the event, they start around $15k for the year...if I can even get one.

I would love to see Bondurant or Barber open a school there so I can do an arrive and drive with less hassle. I know Cadillac is doing an event in December that I missed getting signed up for (limited seats and free), but I am sure others will show up there as well. I also may have an inside line on free track time there with another group I am trying to get details from. The NARRA event in 2013 will be another way for us to get track time during their race weekend.

I'm stoked about the prospect of the track but they are going to have a seriously tough go at it in this economy. I wish them the best of luck.

All of those listed things are exactly why I think they will do more days at a lower price. If they can't sell the track days at $1k/person/day, then they will have to do twice as many at half the price... They will be forced to do it just to make money. But as you said, it will only be limited by the contact terms with Bernie.

As for motorcycle track days (mainly where my interest lies) I know a few TD orgs are already working on it but haven't announced it yet.

[aggie97]

They will HAVE to lease out the track on a regular basis just to cover costs... There is simply no other way, even by hosting a concert per night at the amphitheater once it is done, they still have to keep revenue coming in regularly just to stay afloat. Now, I am not saying it will be cost effective for most people to drive/ride there as it will very likely be $500/day (or more) cost for a track day or more for the first 5 years at least, and likely even more for the schools that will operate there. Now I won't be doing track days there regularly at that cost, but I damn sure will make it for at least one a year even at $500/day...

It will have to be some sort of permanant school like Bondurant or Skip Barber to draw nationally and those two schools are shutting down locations as they just aren't packing in customers. Local groups cannot front the $50k-70k for a weekend rental and hope to sell 80-100car event at $1000 each. Half of your customers will only want the $500 for a one day event and you are screwed. Drivers Edge might be able to pull it off but track rental for driving school type stuff ain't going to happen unless they rent the track at a competitive rate with other tracks in the state. That competitive rental with EMS staff and insurance is about $17,500 per weekend. I don't see them chasing that market for a couple of years and may not be able to under contract Terms from Bernie. Insurance for an HPDE event may be problematic as well. At most tracks, I can buy a rider as an additionally insured entity for around $800 or less for the weekend. Depending on how COTA has been covered as a Major Event Facility, you might not be able to do that. If my school had to buy a separate policy for the event, they start around $15k for the year...if I can even get one.

I would love to see Bondurant or Barber open a school there so I can do an arrive and drive with less hassle. I know Cadillac is doing an event in December that I missed getting signed up for (limited seats and free), but I am sure others will show up there as well. I also may have an inside line on free track time there with another group I am trying to get details from. The NARRA event in 2013 will be another way for us to get track time during their race weekend.

I'm stoked about the prospect of the track but they are going to have a seriously tough go at it in this economy. I wish them the best of luck.

[momo]

Just enjoy it while it lasts. Bernie's business model doesnt include financial concearn of the promoters.

i agree with you here.

i think bernie is the same scum that is jerry jones, rodger goodell, and david stern. the league of decrepit sports thieves.