Question about F1 parking (Howe, Celeste: tax, exemption, price)

[RooCeleste]

If I bought the three-day pass for the Formula 1 race weekend this fall, what would be the best options for transportation to the track? I will not pay $200 for a parking permit and I will not take a helicopter (although that IS fun!). Are there off-site (cheaper) parking locations that will shuttle you to the track? I seem to remember a lot of negative discussion about this last year and couldn't remember about the shuttle or even the possibility of having a friend drop you off. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

[WildChicken]

I went and saw Mumford and parking was a f******* joke. It took 1.5 hrs to leave this mess of a place.

[cBach]

Park downtown and take the shuttles. Enjoy F1, I hear it is a great experience.

[atxcio]

The shuttles were fine last year, at least the downtown ones. About a 20 minute wait, then 20-40 minute ride. The ones from the Expo center were less well received -- people complained about the parking situation there which can get pretty bad on it's own.

In addition to the official parking at COTA, there were many available adjacent parking sites from private owners from about $20 per day. The track and county officially say no pedestrians allowed, but everyone was doing it anyway.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that the shuttles or off-site lots involve significant walking; on top of a lot of walking in the track itself (regardless of where you park). Make sure you plan accordingly.

BTW, it's great experience.

[gpurcell]

Biggest problem about the shuttles is the walk to the facility--if you're on the Turn 1 side it is a LONG way.

[ScoPro]

Some of the shuttles departed from state parking garages last year. This November there will be a UT football game on Saturday, so those garages around Scholz's will be for Longhorn Foundation parking.

Last year I was going to open my 25 acres just west on McAngus Road from the shuttle drop-off, but was informed that my agricultural tax exemption would be forfeit if I charged for parking.

[Collective]

Originally Posted by gpurcell

Biggest problem about the shuttles is the walk to the facility--if you're on the Turn 1 side it is a LONG way.

They had a quasi-train for that last year. Although it was always packed and I don't know how frequently it ran. Turn 11 would be the farthest point from entrance.

[Collective]

Originally Posted by RooCeleste

If I bought the three-day pass for the Formula 1 race weekend this fall, what would be the best options for transportation to the track? I will not pay $200 for a parking permit and I will not take a helicopter (although that IS fun!). Are there off-site (cheaper) parking locations that will shuttle you to the track? I seem to remember a lot of negative discussion about this last year and couldn't remember about the shuttle or even the possibility of having a friend drop you off. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

You can park downtown and take the shuttle included in your ticket price. You will get the instructions with your tickets.

[RooCeleste]

I think my worries about parking are over.....I just got given (for free!) two F1 VIP weekend passes that include food and drink, and who knows what else. Should be fun! Thankful for such sweet friends!

[FalconheadWest]

We parked at the convention center off Decker and things went really fast. They were very organized. The walk wasn't the best, but it was awesome exercise! Even after the race, there were so many buses waited that they loaded them quickly, moved them out, and the next round was there. Hardly any waiting.