OK, hopefully this will come through. Here is the link to the day one photo album. I had to place it on Facebook for expediency. The pictures seem to be out of order, so I might need to re-upload them later. If anyone can't see it, please send me a PM. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4431232713270.162573.1662698449&type=1&l=9aba5b13c2
Day two photo album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4431393597292.162577.1662698449&type=1
So the hospitality suite had one of these set up: A nice set up with a very F1 like sitting position. The game was F1 2012 on PS3 with a Logitech G27 wheel. We stood around for a while watching everyone play. No on could do anything, finishing dead last or close to it. Than, the wife got behind the wheel. Vettel like, she took the lead by turn 6 and finished the 3 lap race in first. As she was doing it, being nearly perfect through turns and 40 seconds faster than the rest the "men" just started to slowly walk away. I thought it was pretty funny.
Race day! Only took 40 minutes to get here and the place was packed already. They really have the traffic figured out. Ferrari challenge on right now.
Not as cool seats my wife snagged me tickets in turn 15. Here are a few pics. GT3 Cup Parade Lap Vettle Going Round Weber's car getting hauled off post race. Me reppin' some M/A F1 Love.
Just got home. Got to give props to the Austin organizers. I know one of the biggest issues the naysayers were bringing up is that with a two lane in and out it was going to be a fluster cuck. It could not be further from the truth. It took me 35 minutes to get from the venue to the airport. I don't think I've come to a complete stop at any point except for the one traffic light. How did they do it? I met a guy who was part of the team who consulted on the traffic control. COTA hired the Kentucky Derby team to advise. It certainly showed. Over all it was a fantastic weekend. If they will manage to resolve the few issues that were completely with in reason for a brand new venue, I can see COTA meeting its potential of being a world class location and a premier F! event. Still have some pictures and videos to post, but that will wait till tomorrow.
First and foremost: I'm glad you had a safe trip here and back. Secondly: It was great to see you and Mrs Jnky. Lastly: I'm really pleased you enjoyed yourself and I can mirror that sentiment as an Austinite. I will try very hard to make sure I get to go again next year.
Traffic was much better if you stayed south of the track and had your seats in the turn 3,4,5,6,7 area that uses parking lot N access. If you were high up in the turn 3,4,or 5 grandstands you had a great view of the esses and could see across to T12 where most of the passing happened. You also could see most of the 13,14,15,16,17,18 complex.
Guess it will be time to visit the kids next year in Austin. Does anyone know if they are showing the race in review this week? Looking forward to some more pictures and video.
Some additional notes: Apparently people in Austin do not have a Texas accent. Michael Schumacker is the only driver with his own merchandise booth. Only the top teams had merchandise: Ferrari, Maclearen, Red Bull, Lotus. Williams had some items at the F1 booth. Lower teams did not have any merch that I could find. More pics are coming.
I don't know whether I mixed it up or they changed the schedule but it's on NOW, 12p E (noon) / 9a P. Pre-race for half an hour, race re-air starts at 12:30 / 9:30.