2014 F1 United States Grand Prix

[Freude am Fahren]

So who's going?

I just ordered my tickets for Turn 5 grandstands. Very excited.

[Kchrpm]

*sigh* I want to go to COTA for a race, but not really F1, and the cost is not really something I want to deal with.

I really need to get a travel credit card.

[CudaMan]

WEC, Tudor, CTSC, and Porsche GT3 Cup are there September 19-20. :)

I came close to going to the F1 Grand Prix last year, but it didn't happen. This year who knows. I'd be more pumped to go if the championship would be close.

[FaultyMario]

No poll? sheesh!

[Kchrpm]

WEC, Tudor, CTSC, and Porsche GT3 Cup are there September 19-20. :)
That is the one I want to go to, I researched the costs and it's around $700 for me :(

[Godson]

Next year I will be making more appearances.

[MR2 Fan]

I'll be in Tokyo

[Rikadyn]

I'll be in Kyoto

[G'day Mate]

I'll get the Toyota

[Reynard]

Been there for MotoGP the last two years and it's a great circuit and keeps improving i.e. this year they actually added a couple of water filling stations which were desperately needed last year. They still don't turn on the diamond vision screens at the far end of the track (turn 6 through 11) for the bikes though. :mad: And the primary RV parking along the back straight was poorly designed. Still though, while not my personal favorite, overall probably the nicest circuit I've been too (and it should be as it's the newest! ;))

[Godson]

Reynard, next time you go to the MotoGP race we need to meet up.

[IMOA]

I'll be in Osaka but I'm thinking of going

[Kchrpm]

We should rent a house or something one of these days for a big race that Bryan's at down there.

[FaultyMario]

You guys should borrow a Southwind and take it to the track.

[Godson]

Hey, we know someone with a southwind!

[Reynard]

Reynard, next time you go to the MotoGP race we need to meet up.

Well if we head out for one next year it would likely be to Indy, if it stays on the calander that is. Alternately you could always come out to Laguna in July for WSBK. :cool:

In 2013 we drove an rv out to COTA and while the facilities in the main rv park are great, the viewing from there is sub par. The track is sunk down enough from the lot that if your sitting out around the rv, grill, etc. you can't see but the very tops of the helmets as the racers go by on the straight. You need go be up on your roof to have good view. For F1 I believe they allow rv's to park in some spots up above turn 6 that would much nicer for spectating. No showers up there though.

[Godson]

Ah, July won't work for me this year due to just starting work. Let me know your plans as the group also goes to Indy every year also.



And I would totally love to see Laguna in person.

[Random]

Do some stair climbing before you visit Laguna. ;)

[Freude am Fahren]

Punny.

http://www.freudeamfoto.com/gtx/usgptix.jpg

Also, I think I'm going to try to get to the sportscar weekend.

[Kchrpm]

You mean the vintage races? That should be really cool, quite the car list: http://circuitoftheamericas.com/images/vintage/vintage_cars_drivers.pdf

[Freude am Fahren]

Oops, I actually meant the TUSC/WEC weekend next year. Forgot that important part.

[Kchrpm]

Ah, Ok. It's good value for a ticket.

[Freude am Fahren]

According to Bernie, only 18 cars will race in Austin: http://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/marussia-will-not-race-formula-one-us-grand-prix-austin-field-will-be-just-18?utm_source=RacingDaily20141025&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=arrows-top&utm_content=body&utm_campaign=awracingdaily

[MR2 Fan]

I bet he sounded gleeful when saying it too

[FaultyMario]

Caterham have been granted permission not to race in Austin and Sao Paulo. One of their buildings has been seized by the sheriff's office. Assets were guarded and thus why Kobayashi had to race in Sochi with a 'duct-taped' suspension arm.
Marussia have been taken over by administrators and might be up for sale or there might be a plan to have them rescued, the $35M GBP 9th place bonus is a lure. However some people suspect that by falling into administration its contracts with CVC have been voided, thus no 2014 prize money to be awarded in Nov 2015.

Looks like the end for all 3 2010 entries.

[Rikadyn]

"Granted Permission" as in it's in the concorde agreement that they could miss 3rds without penalty regardless of why.

[Alan P]

I have heard that assuming Marussia don't get overtaken that they will still be entitled to the money.

[FaultyMario]

Meanwhile, in Texas...


http://ste.india.com/sites/default/files/2014/10/30/287262-daniel-ricciardo-sm9ile-700.jpg


Here's Lemmy Ricciardo!

[Freude am Fahren]

Ha, awesome. Let me just say, the weather here is perfect!

Great view from our seats of the esses.

The cars sound pretty much as they do on tv. Some low bits that don't come across though mainly from the Ferraris.

[FaultyMario]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/suti-1-886x590.jpg

About the only worthwhile thing Sutil's done all year.

[XHawkeye]

From Friday's practice

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1X3MwtCEAAoP36.jpg:large

Alonso crests turn 9 with helicopters in pursuit. Eds note: no funny stuff was done to this picture. #f1 #COTA pic.twitter.com/kaphuUzKZ2

[Drachen596]

not so sure that no funny stuff was done.. rotors are ALL in the same spots and the sun on the one facing left is reflected off the aft fuselauge..probably cause its a mirror image.

oh, and i can see a light blue box around the left most one.

[Freude am Fahren]

Also, there was only one red camera chopper there, trust me ;)

[Kchrpm]

Hamilton :up:

[Dicknose]

Good race for the minor positions.