It's common to use a hollow auger to obtain soil samples, especially in soft clay that's typical in Texas.
Yes, but that wasn't a hollow auger, was it? Didn't look like it to me in the video but then I don't claim to be an authority on all things auger-ish, and I didn't even sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night! Either way, I'm excited to see something happening!
Formula 1 Facility Construction to Have Substantial Economic Impact on the Region Study Releases Benefits of World-Class Venue on Local and State-Wide Economy
According to a survey i took Saturday, we should all be prepared to pay through the nose for the pleasure of being able to attend this event. Suggested pricing for grandstand seating was on the order of $1000 for cheap seats, with many higher-priced options, while general admission is likely to be so furiously sought-after that they are thinking about offering it only in Season Pass form, where you purchase your general admission tickets for the entire year, so you can stand on "grass" during the F1 event for as little as $300..... ..... ..... Cause it would be unreasonable to charge that much for general admission if it were only for the one race, so yer $300 (or way more, depending on area chosen) covers the entire year worth of exciting (fireworks show) innovative (rock concert) competitive (mud wrestling) events throughout the year! Boy, was that a depressing survey. _Dave_ PS: That $300 GA was for the area near turns 2-9, a fast series of sweepers where little to no passing action is expected...
$1000 tickets and hotels that will probably double the rates. Yeah, not looking like the real fans will be able to attend.
You see more on TV.... I'm going to Austin mid March to see my brother, my plan is drive down there with him and see how they're doing. If I can see anything, I'll take pics and post back.
The survey arrived in my inbox this morning. I thought I would share the questions. ------ We are conducting research regarding a leading edge Formula One track being built in Austin, Texas that may be of interest, not only in Texas, but throughout the country, as this will be the only Formula One event in the USA - featuring the very best cars and drivers in the world, competing on a challenging new circuit. Before we discuss the exciting, new development, we would like to ask you a few questions about you to better understand our potential fan base. 1. Thank you for registering your interest in the Formula One United States Grand Prix. Are you interested in purchasing hospitality or seating products on a personal or corporate basis? Note: corporate purchases are generally made for entertaining clients, etc, whereas personal purchases are usually for attending with friends and family. Corporate purchase Personal purchase 2. Are you the head of your household? Note: by head of household, we mean the main income earner within the home. Yes No 3. In which region of the US do you reside? Midwest Northeast South West Other Country, please specify 4. Within which state of the South do you live? Alabama Arkansas Delaware Florida Georgia Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Mississippi North Carolina Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington DC West Virginia 5. Might I confirm the region of Texas do you live? High Plains Northwest Texas Metroplex Upper East Texas Southeast Texas Gulf Coast Central Texas Upper South Texas West Texas Upper Rio Grande Lower South Texas Other state/country, please specify: 6. In which county within the Metroplex region do you live? Collin Cooke Dallas Denton Ellis Erath Fannin Grayson Hood Hunt Johnson Kaufman Navarro Palo Pinto Parker Rockwall Somervell Tarrant Wise 7. How many persons are there in your household? Please note - this survey is regarding the members of your household, their interest in motorsport and their recommendations regarding a potential new motorsport offering. 1 - myself only 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+ 8. What is the level of education of the head of your household? High school Vocational College University complete (e.g. BA, BS) Post-graduate (e.g. MA, MS, PhD) Professional qualification (e.g. JD, MD) 9. Into which band does the gross annual income of your household fall? Up to $19,999 $ 20,000 - $39,999 $40,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $59,999 $60,000 - $69,999 $70,000 - $79,999 $80,000 - $99,999 $100,000 - $249,999 $250,000 + 10. Which, if any, of the following motorsports do your household members follow? Formula One Drag racing Speed World Challenge NASCAR IndyCar Trans-Am Series MotoGP Superbike Racing MotoCross Enduro Other, please specify: None of the above Congratulations! Your household has qualified for participation in our survey! We are conducting research on behalf of Full Throttle Productions regarding a world-class Formula One track being built in Texas with a view to hosting a Formula One event in Austin. We are exploring the option of offering discounts for the purchase of 'season tickets' and multi-year hospitality packages, which would guarantee your access to enjoy the Formula One and other motorsport events in comfort and style. 11. The online survey that we are conducting today takes about 10 minutes to complete. Would you like to participate in the survey? Yes, I would like to participate No, not interested in market research No, not interested in the Austin F1 Track Not enough time at present to do a survey Refused for other reason, please specify: 12. Please indicate your gender: Male Female 13. How often have members of your household attended motorsport events over the past 12 months? None - we haven't attended any motorsport events 1 2 - 3 4 - 5 6 - 9 10 - 14 15 - 19 20+ 14. A new Formula One track is being built in Austin, Texas, that will offer a challenging racing experience for drivers and a superb experience for fans. Would you consider attending motorsport events, such as Formula One and MotoGP, at the Austin F1 Track? Yes No Over the past few decades, motorsport in the USA has grown in popularity, with some of its motorsport series even hosting events outside of the USA. Formula One, the premier motorsport series globally, is set to make its debut in the USA, at the Austin F1 Track. Whereas the Formula One United States Grand Prix was most recently held at the Indianapolis Speedway, with its characteristic rectangular track, F1 races are generally hosted on custom designed circuits or local streets, making the most of the contours of the local landscape. The track being built in Austin, Texas will be one of the "most challenging and spectacular in the world" and that it would include a selection of corner sequences inspired by the very best F1 circuits globally. Alongside Formula One, it is anticipated that a range of other motorsport and entertainment events will be held at the circuit throughout the year, including: • 1 Formula One Race • 1 Moto GP motorcycle race • 2 Open-wheel races • 4 Other motorsport races (stockcars, etc) • 4 Entertainment events in the infield (Concerts, independence day fireworks, etc.) 15. There may be opportunities for us to expand the range of events held at the Austin F1 track. Which of the following types of events would interest you? Pro-Am events, in which participants join professional drivers in a friendly competition Corporate tournaments with corporate teams competing against each other VIP driving days in which sports car owners can test drive their own cars on the circuit Other, please specify None of the above We will now review the hospitality products that would be on offer at the new Formula One track in Austin and would like you to select which, if any, you would like to purchase. In addition to general admission tickets with which you will be familiar, there are three new types of seating products available at the new Formula One track in Austin, which we would like to briefly review with you. • Corporate Suites • Mini Suites • Paddock Club • Grandstand Seating • Infield General Admission - Grass • Other General Admission - Grass We will briefly present each product and determine whether or not the product is relevant to your requirements before going into a more in-depth discussion. For example, we may not discuss corporate suites and mini suites with consumers, as these products are intended for the corporate market. Likewise, demand for general admission tickets might not be discussed with corporate respondents. Paddock Club tickets are sold to wealthy individuals whose jet-set lifestyle includes travelling globally to F1 events, enjoying VIP hospitality at each event as well as to automotive companies who compete within, sponsor or supply the Formula One industry or are looking to do so. The tickets are purchased directly from Formula One Management in Geneva, Switzerland and offer a fairly standard level of hospitality accross all F1 events, globally, which includes: • Hospitality facilities above the Pit Straight, offering views of the drivers and teams • Networking lounge for mingling with the VIP Formula One crowd • Excellent views of the start and finish of the race • Limited views of curves and overtaking Paddock Club tickets are sold for fairly similar prices globally and include tickets for the entire F1 weekend for $4,500. The Paddock Club ticket does NOT include access to any other motorsport or entertainment events hosted at the new circuit throughout the rest of the year. 16. How many Paddock Club Tickets would you most likely require, based on the number of people who would likely be attending with you and any budget constraints? 0 - No interest in / demand for Paddock Club Tickets 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+ 17. Grandstands are generally built at the best locations around the Formula One track, with the main grandstand being located behind the Pit Straight and the remaining grandstands being located at the best curves where overtaking is likely to occur. At the Austin F1 Track, there will be three types of grandstand seats on offer: • Platinum: seats at the top of the Main Grandstand, in front of the Pit Straight with access to the clubhouse • Gold: seats on the Main Grandstand, in front of the Pit Straight with NO access to the clubhouse • Silver: grandstand seats on the best curves, with no access to the clubhouse There will be no general admission seating on any of these grandstands, offering a level of exclusivity required by VIPs and corporate clients. Each will suit different tastes, with the Pit Straights providing excellent views of the start and finish of the race, the racing teams and pit crews. Whilst the curves will provide the best viewing of highly technical driving for racing enthusiasts, there is no access to the clubhouse from these more distant locations, which are, however, fully serviced by high-end concessions. The Platinum Grandstand Seats have access to the clubhouse, which offers a level of hospitality that is unparalleled within the other grandstand seating areas, which includes: • Separate VIP entrance & reserved parking • Staff / waiter service • Access to VIP lounges • Access to up to 5-star dining facilities • Wider and more comfortable seats As the platinum grandstand seats include access to a high-end clubhouse, the annual prices are substantially higher than the other grandstands. However, there may be options to secure a discounted annual fee by entering into a multi-year contract. 18. How many Grandstand Seats would you most likely require, based on the number of people with whom you would be attending and any budget constraints? 0 - No interest in / demand for Grandstand Seats 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+ General admission seating at Formula One events usual involves sitting on the grass at locations that offer a good visibility of portions of the race. While there is no grandstand provided in these locations, the ticket prices are much more affordable and a lively atmosphere compensates for the lack of seating provision. At the Austin F1 Track, there will be three types of general admission tickets on offer: • 'Infield' Season Tickets: at a high point in the track offering commanding views of an infamous multi-apex turn as well as of the rest of the track • 'Key Curve' Season Tickets: at the eventful first turn and an exciting hairpin turn at the far end of the track • 'Sweeping Section' Season Tickets: a series of moderate curves along the first half of the track, where there are limited overtaking opportunities General admission tickets in these areas will firstly be sold via season tickets, guaranteeing access to all events held at the circuit throughout the year, with the option to renew these tickets for subsequent years. The absence of assigned seating will allow you to mix and mingle and meet up with groups of friends who have also purchased general admission tickets within the same zone. Concessions will be available in the general admission areas such that your family and friends can 'refuel' at their convenience to be able to remain on-site for the duration of the race. 19. How many general admission tickets would your family most likely require, based on the size of your household and budget? 0 - No interest in / demand for General Admission Tickets 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9+ 20. Given that general admission tickets in the best locations will be more costly, which ticket type would be most appropriate to your requirements? Please rank 1-3, with 1 being the most appropriate to your requirements. 'Infield' Tickets: at a high point in the track offering commanding views of the track 'Key Curve' Tickets: at the eventful first turn and an exciting hairpin turn at the far end of the track 'Sweeping Section' Tickets: a series of moderate curves along the first half of the track We will now review the general admission tickets that may be on offer at the new Formula One Track and select which, if any, you would purchase. 21. 'Infield' Season Ticket holders will view the event from a high point on the circuit offering commanding views a multi-apex turn and the rest of the track. Bearing in mind these associated benefits, how many 'Infield' Season Tickets would you purchase for your household on the at the following prices? Note: if 'Infield' Season Tickets would become unaffordable at any given price, please indicate accordingly. Season Ticket Price ($) 'Infield' General Admission Demand $560 Season Tickets $500 Season Tickets $450 Season Tickets $400 Season Tickets $360 Season Tickets Note: the total outlay per year that you would incur equals the price per ticket multiplied by the number of 'Infield' Season Tickets that you select. Please indicate the number of tickets that would be affordable for you to purchase. 22. 'Key Curves' Ticket-holders will view either the eventful first turn or the exciting hairpin turn at the far end of the track. Bearing in mind these associated benefits, how many 'Key Curves' Season Tickets would you purchase for your household at the following prices? Note: if 'Key Curves' Season Tickets would become unaffordable at any given price, please indicate accordingly. Season Ticket Price ($) 'Key Curves' General Admission Demand $470 Season Tickets $420 Season Tickets $380 Season Tickets $340 Season Tickets $300 Season Tickets Note: the total outlay per year that you would incur equals the price per ticket multiplied by the number of 'Key Curves' Season Tickets that you select. Please indicate the number of tickets that would be affordable for you to purchase. 23. 'Sweeping Section' season tickets are located at a series of moderate curves along the first half of the track. Bearing in mind these associated benefits, how many 'Sweeping Section' Season Tickets would you purchase for your household at the following prices? Note: if 'Sweeping Section' Season Tickets would become unaffordable at any given price, please indicate accordingly. Season Ticket Price ($) 'Sweeping Section' General Admission Demand $380 Season Tickets $340 Season Tickets $300 Season Tickets $270 Season Tickets $240 Season Tickets Note: the total outlay per year that you would incur equals the price per ticket multiplied by the number of 'Sweeping Section' Season Tickets that you select. Please indicate the number of tickets that would be affordable for you to purchase. The following section will present you with various scenarios in which you get to choose which seating product you would purchase, if the options presented to you were your only choices. In each scenario, you have the option to specify that you would not purchase any seating product at the Austin F1 Track, if you would prefer not to attend the new Austin F1 Track rather than to purchase the seating products presented. These questions will enable us to run market simulations as to how the demand for hospitality products at the new Austin F1 Track - estimating how demand will respond to the various products offered at various prices. Please consider each scenario carefully as if you were making an actual purchase decision. 24. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: Mini Suites (of 4 to 12 seats) on a 1-year contract at $3,130 per seat (or $25,040 for a 8-seat mini suite) Silver Grandstand Seats on a 10-year contract at $1,260 per seat Note: For your convenience, we have provided cost estimates for corporate suites and mini suites based on 20-seat and 8-seat configurations. When the products actually go to market, you will be able to choose the suite size best suited to your company. 25. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: Silver Grandstand Seats on a 7-year contract at $900 per seat 'Sweeping Section' Season Tickets at $380 per ticket (grass, no seat) Note: For your convenience, we have provided cost estimates for corporate suites and mini suites based on 20-seat and 8-seat configurations. When the products actually go to market, you will be able to choose the suite size best suited to your company. 26. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: Mini Suites (of 4 to 12 seats) on a 7-year contract at $3,910 per seat (or $31,280 for a 8-seat mini suite) Corporate Suites (of 12 to 28 seats) on a 5-year contract at $5,000 per seat (or $100,000 for a 20-seat corporate suite) 27. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: Platinum Grandstand Seats on a 1-year contract at $3,000 per seat Corporate Suites (of 12 to 28 seats) on a 3-year contract at $4,470 per seat (or $89,400 for a 20-seat corporate suite) 28. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: Paddock Club (3-day F1 ticket only) at $5,630 per 3-day ticket Gold Grandstand Seats on a 10-year contract at $1,000 per seat 29. f the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: 'Key Curves' Season Tickets at $340 per ticket (grass, no seat) 'Infield' Season Tickets at $360 per ticket (grass, no seat) 30. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: 'Sweeping Section' Season Tickets at $300 per ticket (grass, no seat) Gold Grandstand Seats on a 5-year contract at $1,400 per seat 31. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: 'Infield' Season Tickets at $560 per ticket (grass, no seat) Corporate Suites (of 12 to 28 seats) on a 10-year contract at $4,470 per seat (or $89,400 for a 20-seat corporate suite) 32. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: Silver Grandstand Seats on a 1-year contract at $1,260 per seat Mini Suites (of 4 to 12 seats) on a 3-year contract at $3,500 per seat (or $28,000 for a 8-seat mini suite) 33. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: Paddock Club (3-day F1 ticket only) at $3,600 per 3-day ticket Platinum Grandstand Seats on a 7-year contract at $3,750 per seat 34. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: 'Sweeping Section' Season Tickets at $240 per ticket (grass, no seat) 'Key Curves' Season Tickets at $470 per ticket (grass, no seat) 35. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: Platinum Grandstand Seats on a 1-year contract at $2,680 per seat Corporate Suites (of 12 to 28 seats) on a 5-year contract at $5,590 per seat (or $111,800 for a 20-seat corporate suite) 36. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: Silver Grandstand Seats on a 3-year contract at $1,410 per seat 'Infield' Season Tickets at $450 per ticket (grass, no seat) 37. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: 'Sweeping Section' Season Tickets at $270 per ticket (grass, no seat) Gold Grandstand Seats on a 7-year contract at $1,000 per seat 38. If the following two seating products were your only choices for entertaining clients at the Austin F1 Track, which, if any, would you choose? Choose by clicking one of the buttons below: 'Key Curves' Season Tickets at $380 per ticket (grass, no seat) Mini Suites (of 4 to 12 seats) on a 10-year contract at $3,910 per seat (or $31,280 for a 8-seat mini suite) We are keen to ensure that the Austin F1 Track being built to host the Formula One United States Grand Prix is full and that there is a lively atmosphere. As companies buying multi-year tickets may not able to attend all events, we are exploring the option of allowing ticket holders to resell a fixed share (e.g. 10%) of their tickets to individual events that they cannot attend via the Austin F1 website or another official outlet. For example, you would log into your account on a website and put your ticket on sale. If the ticket is bought you would receive the average cost per event from the total price of the ticket selected. 39. Would you be more inclined to purchase an annual or multi-year ticketing product if you could re-sell your tickets for particular events? Yes No 40. Many thanks for your time and interest in the Austin F1 Track being built to host the Formula One United States Grand Prix. Would you like to be added to our priority list and be one of the first to be contacted when the Corporate Suites, Mini Suites and Grandstand Seats go on sale? Yes No
Wow.....I knew it would be spendy, but they sound like they're going out of their way to maximize the income potential. But hey, what did I expect, it's Formula 1...... So, how many suites did you book for our first M/A get together at F1?
We got the same survey. After reading and answering it would seem that it would be cheaper, or at least the same to attend an F1 event at a somewhat more exotic location then Austin, Texas. $350 for a no seat in the grass? It's a frigging joke!
For comparison sake...Montreal 2011 Grandstand 1 3 days $540.00 Grandstand 2 3 days $540.00 Grandstand 11 3 days $430.00 Grandstand 12 3 days $430.00 Grandstand 15 3 days $430.00 Grandstand 21 3 days $430.00 Grandstand 24 3 days $430.00 Grandstand 22 3 days $250.00 Grandstand 31 3 days $250.00 Grandstand 33 3 days $250.00 Grandstand 34 3 days $265.00 Platform wheelchair accessible 41a 3 days $110.00 Platform wheelchair accessible 21a 3 days $430.00 General admission 3 days $110.00 General admission Friday $30.00 General admission Saturday $55.00 General admission Sunday $80.00 All prices Canadian...
Indy 500 tickets range from $70-$150 for race day. Daytona 500 ranges from $55 for General Admission day of the race to $600 for great seat for all days. Sebring ranges from $70 - $500 IMHO F1 in the US is pricing itself to be a non-event for me. You know that hotels are going to also be insanely priced, concessions will be stratospheric in cost and I'll venture to bet that parking is going to put a big dent in the wallet too.
Hotel prices in Montreal have gone up about 200% in the past two years...we received a call from our hotel last Monday to pay for all three nights in full...race is 5 months away. Yeah, I do believe they're killing their chances in Austin... I also just read that they definitely want the race date in the fall. If the two NA races share the transportation costs with the race a week apart, this will only make it more costly if they get their way in Austin and get a fall date...Montreal may be iffy weatherwise in the fall.
I still don't know any real details but I remember reading that the main reason F1 left Indy wasn't the 3-team, 6-car, Bridgestone-only "race" debacle. Tony George and Bernie couldn't come to agreement on money because George supposedly refused to charge enough for attendance to be able to cover Bernie's astronomical fees. I've never been a fan of Tony George but if this is true then I'm at least less of a Tony George hater now.