Circuit of the Americas Development Updates

[turn1]

Originally Posted by BevoLJ

Like 97% of these COTA pictures I see all just have the track.

There's a reason for all those tight shots IMHO.

[Jdawgboy]

I have to agree with BevoLJ on this, its not just the track we are promoting, its also the city of Austin itself we are promoting as well. Would like to see some high quality pictures of the completed track grounds with the downtown skyline.

Also ive been wanting to ask this for awhile but the main grandstand looks incomplete. It is lopsided compaired to the paddock. Will they expand it the rest of the way down in the future? Just doesn't seem like its fully built out and looking at other circuits, their main grandstands basically are as long as the paddocks they have.

[turn1]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

I have to agree with BevoLJ on this, its not just the track we are promoting, its also the city of Austin itself we are promoting as well. Would like to see some high quality pictures of the completed track grounds with the downtown skyline.

Also ive been wanting to ask this for awhile but the main grandstand looks incomplete. It is lopsided compaired to the paddock. Will they expand it the rest of the way down in the future? Just doesn't seem like its fully built out and looking at other circuits, their main grandstands basically are as long as the paddocks they have.

The Main GS was originally designed to be as long as or maybe even a little longer than the Pit Bldg. Certainly looks expandable. My guess is the current ownership is leaving that for someone else to do. Literally everything they do points to getting as much $ as possible and getting out in the short term.

[electricron]

Originally Posted by turn1

The Main GS was originally designed to be as long as or maybe even a little longer than the Pit Bldg. Certainly looks expandable. My guess is the current ownership is leaving that for someone else to do. Literally everything they do points to getting as much $ as possible and getting out in the short term.

I don't think the main grandstand should be expanded later, it's probably too big already. Most of the passing, and wrecking, will occur at the corners with maximum breaking. That's turns #1, #11, & #12. That's where you should purchase your seats at this track. Everywhere else will be follow the leader racing. The only reason to purchase seats in the main grandstand is to get a great view of opening and closing ceremonies, you'll see little side by side racing on that straight.

[MightyYoda]

While I do agree it won't be the best seats, people will pay more just to sit at the "grand stands" section. Part of it is just the aesthetic. The grandstands look unbalanced currently being so much smaller than the paddock. Plus side by all accounts so far, is the track itself is very nice and well designed and has gotten great feedback. Expanding the grand stands, other sections and making the stadium section permanent seating can be much more easily done than fixing a bad track. Prices need to come down; I was planning on going, but not at least the first year.

[turn1]

Originally Posted by MightyYoda

While I do agree it won't be the best seats, people will pay more just to sit at the "grand stands" section. Part of it is just the aesthetic. The grandstands look unbalanced currently being so much smaller than the paddock. Plus side by all accounts so far, is the track itself is very nice and well designed and has gotten great feedback. Expanding the grand stands, other sections and making the stadium section permanent seating can be much more easily done than fixing a bad track. Prices need to come down; I was planning on going, but not at least the first year.

I agree with all of this. While the Main GS isn't a place where you'll most of the big fans hanging out, it is a desirable place for a different type of crowd, and good sales there will go a long way toward securing the future of the race.

As for whether it's too big or not big enough, that's greatly affected by the pricing structure. It seems that this year it may actually be too big in relation to sales.

[hookem]

Originally Posted by turn1

The Main GS was originally designed to be as long as or maybe even a little longer than the Pit Bldg. Certainly looks expandable. My guess is the current ownership is leaving that for someone else to do. Literally everything they do points to getting as much $ as possible and getting out in the short term.

I understand the GS and team buildings (maybe even the PSL concept) would support that assertion... but how do you explain the tower? That doesn't seem to make any sense if the idea was to spend a minimum and then get out quick.

Also, how diluted is the COTA ownership right now, I wonder? I get the sense that the current board and management team are probably entrenched and very much into the control they have. Perhaps the owners will sell off some of their shares, in a sense "getting out", but maintain the minimum necessary to control things.

[turn1]

Originally Posted by hookem

I understand the GS and team buildings (maybe even the PSL concept) would support that assertion... but how do you explain the tower? That doesn't seem to make any sense if the idea was to spend a minimum and then get out quick.

Also, how diluted is the COTA ownership right now, I wonder? I get the sense that the current board and management team are probably entrenched and very much into the control they have. Perhaps the owners will sell off some of their shares, in a sense "getting out", but maintain the minimum necessary to control things.

Both good points.

I've often wondered what the tower is for and how it makes any sense at all. As you say, it's the only thing that doesn't fit with the idea that they're looking only at the short term. I've come to the conclusion based on conversations that it just doesn't make any sense in any other way than as a very expensive vanity piece...Epstein's "mark" on the project.

As for the dilution, I believe you're probably right that the key players are probably close to or already have covered their exit from the project and could walk away with little or no damage to their bottom lines.

[turn1]

I just posted 40+ new COTA Construction photos. Enjoy!


https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...7614878&type=1


Sign installation on FM 812:



Turn 10 from Mr. Haywood's, just above the bottom of the GA area:



RV area.



Turn 9-10 GS.





Portable office trailers (Team Buildings?) behind the T11W GSs.



The Longhorn Straight from Mr. Haywood's hill.



Mystery Tower:



COTA from the shuttle lot on McAngus Road.



Turn 1 and the back of the Pit Building, from the shuttle lot on McAngus Road.

[turn1]

Looks like about 650 seats in the Turn 12 GS are now available for purchase.

https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/cot...y/details/12F1

ETA: For those of you still searching for tickets, in addition to the ~1200 available on TicketMaster in the T1, T12, & T15 GSs, it appears there are also seats available at Formula1.com in the T6 & T11W GSs.

http://uktickets.formula1.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=tsdt

[turn1]

COTA has released their list of Prohibited Items:

http://6bd32fe3d0a84caa1d3b-e077574e...s(9.28.12).pdf

The following items will not be permitted inside the gates of the circuit. In addition to items specifically listed here, other items that may be deemed to present a potential hindrance or threat may also be prohibited.


 Alcoholic Beverages
 Animals (exception for certified service animals)
 Bags or parcels larger than 12X12X20 inches
 Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, skates, segways, golf carts or other unauthorized means of
transportation
 Coolers, thermoses or ice chests
 Distribution of unauthorized promotional or commercial material
 Food and Beverage (Note: sealed, individual, plastic bottles of water are allowed)
 Fireworks, explosives or other incendiary devices
 Glass or metal containers of any style
 Illegal substances
 Items that may be deemed a safety hazard or annoyance to participants or guests (balls, Frisbees,
balloons, projectiles, horns, radios, bells, whistles, musical instruments, laser pointers, etc.)
 Large, golf-type umbrellas
 Non-collapsible chairs
 Tents or canopies
 Video cameras, still cameras with lenses exceeding 10 inches in length or detachable lenses of any
kind, audio recording devices and tripods; no video recording will be allowed
 Weapons of any kind, including guns, knives, pepper spray, handcuffs, nightsticks or other items


The following items will be permitted inside the circuit gates.
 Blankets
 Umbrellas (small, hand-held style)
 Baby strollers
 Portable, collapsible chairs
 Personal camera equipment (e.g. digital cameras, point-and-click digital cameras or film cameras)
 Binoculars

NOTE: All bags, purses, backpacks and persons are subject to screening by security personnel. Fans entering
Circuit of The Americas should prepare accordingly.
Smoking will only be allowed in authorized areas. All security measures are subject to change without notice.

[turn1]

I've been hoping for this since wayyy back.


Autoweek: WEC / ALMS doubleheader coming to Austin on 22September2013 (TBC):

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012...ORTS/120929803


Statesman: 6-hr WEC endurance race penciled in for Austin...Sep22, 2013 (TBC).

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...led_in_f.html/

[turn1]

Looks like there's already an online petition re: the camera lenses:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/133/7...or-the-usa-gp/

[turn1]

Also, via Dave Doolittle at the Statesman, GrandAm has announced a provisional spot for a Mar 2, 2013 Austin race:

http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_News...cid=6383&sid=1

[F1 Tommy]

Originally Posted by turn1

I've been hoping for this since wayyy back.


Autoweek: WEC / ALMS doubleheader coming to Austin on 22September2013 (TBC):

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012...ORTS/120929803


Statesman: 6-hr WEC endurance race penciled in for Austin...Sep22, 2013 (TBC).

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...led_in_f.html/

The track is looking very good. On this WEC race, this is very bad news. Sebring is very open to the public. If Austin is like all the other F1 tracks I have been to you won't be able to get near the cars. Sebring also has sportscar history. Sad day, caused more than anything by the Grand Am takeover of ALMS. I hope NASCAR does not ruin the ALMS. Maybe having an F1 race back in the USA will help keep GA/NASCAR in line.

[East7thStreet]

Originally Posted by turn1

Also, via Dave Doolittle at the Statesman, GrandAm has announced a provisional spot for a Mar 2, 2013 Austin race:

http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_News...cid=6383&sid=1

March is going to be insane in 2013:

2nd-3rd Grand Am/ALS race

8th-17th SXSW

8th-23rd Rodeo Austin

22nd-24th NCAA Tournament March Madness

26th-29th Texas Relays

28th-31st American Atheists 2013 National Convention

[JoninATX]

Then we can include spring break, and Pecan Street Festival.

[BevoLJ]

Originally Posted by F1 Tommy

The track is looking very good. On this WEC race, this is very bad news. Sebring is very open to the public. If Austin is like all the other F1 tracks I have been to you won't be able to get near the cars. Sebring also has sportscar history. Sad day, caused more than anything by the Grand Am takeover of ALMS. I hope NASCAR does not ruin the ALMS. Maybe having an F1 race back in the USA will help keep GA/NASCAR in line.

So I had thought I had figured out all the races but now I am completely confused again. What is Grand Am? Is it the same thing as NASCAR? I was kinda hoping to not have NASCAR in Austin. Why are there so many different races?

Maybe to make it easier for me to understand, can you put it in baseball terms? Like what race is the MLB, and what races make up the AA and AAA leagues?

Originally Posted by JoninATX

Then we can include spring break, and Pecan Street Festival.

Pecan Street will likely be in early May.

[turn1]

Re-wording from COTA permits cameras with detachable lenses 10" long or shorter:

http://6bd32fe3d0a84caa1d3b-e077574e...s(9.28.12).pdf

[Owlhorn]

I thought Eddie Gossage said a road course in Texas wouldn't work. Never will forgive his negative talk about Boundless. At least the COTA folks were like Eddie who? and didn't give a damn.