Circuit of the Americas Formula 1 Race Track

[The ATX]

It's amazing how little attention our annual F1 race gets locally. Anyway, I'm glad it's sold out for race day next Sunday.


Apparently COTA is building an amusement park by the track. I'm not sure how big it will be, but the Statesman is reporting that the "famous" couch potatoes are being moved from a local furniture store to the site of the COTA amusement park.





From the article:

This summer, the owners of the furniture store Austin's Couch Potatoes announced that their statues of three giant potatoes — which rest on a huge couch that's an unmissable sight from Interstate 35, sitting in front of the company's North Austin store — needed a new home by the end of the year. The owners on Friday revealed the potatoes' destination: COTALAND, an amusement park planned for Circuit of the Americas.

The move began Friday, and a representative for the potatoes said they'll be in place for photo opps at the racetrack in time for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix on Oct. 22-24.

https://www.statesman.com/story/life...rk/6050241001/

[KevinFromTexas]

I read somewhere that the amusement park will have a few rollercoasters. I haven't seen any FAA permits for rollercoasters so I'm not sure if that means they aren't that close to being built yet or if they simply aren't tall enough to be an aviation hazard.

[Echostatic]

RCDB says they have one operating kiddie coaster and will be adding two slightly larger models soon. https://rcdb.com/18828.htm

[StoOgE]

They'll all be portable amusement rides the Schwartkopf's that have been announced to this point are for carnivals.

[The ATX]

Lincoln added the COTA "Car Condos" to its portfolio. There are 178 units planned for Turn 11:




https://www.lpcaustin.com/properties/t11-car-condos/

[The ATX]

Turn1, are you still out there? Do you have any updates/thoughts about the future of COTA and Austin F1 races now that the 10-year contract is over, and Miami is happening?

[StoOgE]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Turn1, are you still out there? Do you have any updates/thoughts about the future of COTA and Austin F1 races now that the 10-year contract is over, and Miami is happening?

We're on the calendar subject to a contract. Tells me both sides intend for it to happen.

[hookem]

Originally Posted by The ATX

Turn1, are you still out there? Do you have any updates/thoughts about the future of COTA and Austin F1 races now that the 10-year contract is over, and Miami is happening?

IF you don’t already know, he posts on this facebook page he co-founded:
https://www.facebook.com/gpamericas/

And he’s on twitter:
https://twitter.com/gpamericas?s=21

He regularly posts stuff there.

[StoOgE]

That guy has a uh.. interesting feed.

[clubtokyo]

Deleted.

[SproutingTowers]

New roller coaster called Palindrome coming soon to COTALAND.

https://youtu.be/iiwQRIzHY9E

[drummer]

Originally Posted by SproutingTowers

New roller coaster called Palindrome coming soon to COTALAND.

https://youtu.be/iiwQRIzHY9E

I recall seeing this before. Two thoughts:

1. If it's going to be called Palindrome, shouldn't it be a mirror of itself across Circuit of the Americas Blvd? (And by the way, are there any regulations for roller coasters going over vehicular traffic?)

2. "RACECAR" is a palindrome, which is appropriate for the F1 track. Kinda fun.

[the Genral]

Big for Austin I suppose. It looks cool. I was on one similar before, the drop in reverse made my butt pucker.

[StoOgE]

There are some well regarded infinity coasters - this one is pretty small but its certainly a big deal that COTA is building this.

I hope they actually invest in COTA-land with more permanent ride installs and less like the parking lot next to Walmart on Ben White.

[hookem]

Originally Posted by SproutingTowers

New roller coaster called Palindrome coming soon to COTALAND.

Seems like more of a spoonersim.

[StoOgE]

So, COTAland was at the American Coaster Enthusiests gathering last week and said another coaster will open in 2023 and will be the first of its kind.

I assume it'll be a similarly small ride to what they are building now, but have to say that this mini-theme park idea is a much better permanent activation of that space than weird hot-wheels condos.

[drummer]

Originally Posted by StoOgE

So, COTAland was at the American Coaster Enthusiests gathering last week and said another coaster will open in 2023 and will be the first of its kind.

I assume it'll be a similarly small ride to what they are building now, but have to say that this mini-theme park idea is a much better permanent activation of that space than weird hot-wheels condos.

If only Hot-Wheels could build a tower there and actually brand it as such. My son would love it.

[ATX2030]

This should help COTA keep a F1 race.

U.S. tech giant Oracle becomes Red Bull title sponsor

https://racer.com/2022/02/09/u-s-tec...title-sponsor/

By Chris Medland

Red Bull has revealed U.S. tech giant Oracle is its new title sponsor, with the team to be officially named as Oracle Red Bull Racing in a reported $100m-a-year deal.

The Austin-based company was already a partner prior to 2022, but now steps up to replace Honda following the Japanese manufacturer’s departure from Formula 1. Team principal Christian Horner says the expanded deal is a sign of Oracle’s importance to Red Bull, as the team says it was able to run 1,000 times as many simulations pre-race as a result of the partnership.

...The Associated Press reports the five-year deal is worth around $500 million in total – or $100m per year – making it one of the most lucrative sponsorship deals in sports.

[StoOgE]

Liberty Media wants 3 US based races - I think COTA is safe for a while.

[The ATX]

COTA signs F1 race deal. Races will be in Austin through 2026,

https://www.fox7austin.com/sports/f1...tin-until-2026