Austinites, are you going to Formula 1? (Dallas: luxury, versus, food)

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by cBach

Thanks for the advice. They only allowed us to take in water bottles but I didn't think about claiming "dietary restrictions".

Was anybody there today? How were the crowds? How was the Pitbull concert?

Crowds seemed very, very good. Was impressed by the downtown shuttle operation; better than the UT game shuttles. Did not stay for the pitbull concert, could care less. But a lot of people did apparently (image from COTA fb page).

[cBach]

Originally Posted by atxcio

Official race day attendance: 113,162. Total for the weekend, 250K.

Less than last year, but still quite impressive considering the F1 championship had already been decided and the same driver (Vettel) has won the last 8 races. Oh, and it was the same weekend as a UT home game.

I think everyone who went had a really good time, even though it was a boring race. Austin has made an impression as one of the better F1 venues in terms of atmosphere. Lewis Hamilton commented after the race that it may even be better than Montreal, which is an incredible compliment in the F1 world.

Tidbit: the folks handing out the trophies during the closing ceremony were the "owners" of the track. Rick Perry, Red McCombs, and gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott! Guess the METF money is safe for COTA.

Source please.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by cBach

Source please.

I got it from the COTA official twitter feed, but it is available on many major media sources now. Here's the SA Express-News, first I could find: 113,162 fans watch Vettel make history at Formula 1 race at COTA - Motorsports

Edit - unless you meant the Hamilton quote or the Greg Abbott on the podium?

[cBach]

Originally Posted by atxcio

I got it from the COTA official twitter feed, but it is available on many major media sources now. Here's the SA Express-News, first I could find: 113,162 fans watch Vettel make history at Formula 1 race at COTA - Motorsports

Edit - unless you meant the Hamilton quote or the Greg Abbott on the podium?

Thanks for the numbers, what about the Hamilton quote, source please?

[scm53]

Originally Posted by cBach

Thanks for the numbers, what about the Hamilton quote, source please?

I saw/heard him say it on the NBC coverage after the race.

[ITO]

I wish the poll had a third vote option that said, "I would rather eat a bug than go to that stupid race".

[scm53]

Attendance was slightly down for the weekend - 250K v. 265K last year.

Also saw that Mexico City and NJ will not be on the schedule next year. Should help 2014 attendance.

[EzPeterson]

No Mexico City race will definitely bump attendance - at least it should. Seemed to run pretty dang smooth this year from all accounts.

[Komeht]

Crowds seemed much thinner this year - had seats that were fantastic and plenty of room all around me.

The heat was dreadful however - direct sun, no decent concessions nearby.

[ScoPro]

My son & DIL sat by Turn 15. They had VIP passes, so the tent access for the bar & lunch was awesome.