Yes, we did out part of the Austin F1 economic stimulus. Easily exceeding the $4,500 mark for 2 attendees. Rika broke it down pretty well.

Would do it again, slightly differently, but will go back to see F1 in Austin.

for the over all impact you have to factor in advertising, commercial expenses, that do not directly factor in. I probably spent about $2500, but we rented a house in north austin, and it could have been done cheaper, but I like to splurge.
things I would do different next year; 1st. I would stay down town, all the good restaurants, bars, and clubs were right there, as well as the Fanfest. 2nd. I would not plan on eating at the track at all, the lines were just to long, and you could always catch a guy with a beer tub walking around if you had to get something to drink.

Got this pic from my buddy...I HATE HIM!!! :mad::mad:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353457764.jpg

Having been to many different race tracks and forms of racing...

COTA is by far the easiest track to get in/out of. At least from Lot L. When I left the track after the race, I was back at my hotel in Round Rock 40 minutes later. It usually takes me 4 hours to get out of the track at a NASCAR race. Though the toll roads were expensive (around $6 one way from my hotel to the track), they had an 80 mph speed limit and were virtually empty, even on race day.

I sat in Turn 11 General Admission for most of the weekend. I had a great view of much of the track. During the race, I found the BBC audio feed on my radio and listened to that.

My only complaint about COTA was the vending. The people running the booths (be they food or merchandise) were universally disorganized and slow. I waited 1.5 hours on Friday to get a COTA t-shirt, and it took 10 minutes for the people in the booth to find the right size and get me change. About 2 hours before the race, I got in line for food, and it took a little over an hour to get it (I had to wait in one line to pay and another to get the food). Jim took off while I was in line, which is unfortunate because he's a cool dude and I would have enjoyed chatting with him more.

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We did it a bit different. Missus is not a car/race fan. We stayed at a nice historic Bed and Breakfast in Bastrop. I only dragged her along on Sun. Next year, I'll drag her along on Sat and let her avoid the crowds on Sun. The room was $350/night. I paid $60 for parking for the whole 3 days. My lot was maybe 2-3 miles from the track and the bus ride to/from the track was maybe 10 mins. (the parking at the track was $200 when I got the email, not $300). I didn't eat any of the days that I was there, but then, I also didn't get there at 7 or 8 am. I only went on Sat and Sun, I wish I had gone on Fri too. I stayed out of Austin, so I missed Fan Fest which probably would have been cool, but I didn't want to fight the crowds. We ate very well each night. Our tickets were $350 each for all 3 days. I got the FanVision thing online a couple of months out for $69. I was very happy to have it.
If you wanted any "gear" it was pretty expensive. You can divide the gear into 2 categories, COTA gear and F1 Team gear. The COTA gear started at $35 for a T-shirt or hat and went up from there. The F1 team gear (RedBull, Ferrari, Mclaren/Mercedes, etc...) started at $50 for a T-shirt and went up from there.

It certainly wasn't a cheap weekend, but it wasn't that bad. I could have done it cheaper and it probably will be cheaper next year, but it was expensive because I rode 6 laps in an F1 car driven by Didier Theys and it was AMAZING! I'm also really looking forward to seeing the American Le Mans series next Sept (it's going to be hot).

That's me with the 2 thumbs up on the left.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353470938.jpg

The car running
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The beginning of my laps
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And a few shots from the race.

Hamilton
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353476947.jpg
Vettel
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353477087.jpg
Schumacher
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353477126.jpg

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353476908.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1353477232.jpg

Yikes! As much as I'm a racing fanatic, based upon cost it was an easy decision for me not to attend. This time or in the future.

But I'm glad all who attended had a blast.

I wanted to take a ride in the sidecar F1 car but didn't figure I'd be able to fit it into the schedule. I never saw them on the track, when were they running?

They didn't run an COTA. They ran at another track a few miles north called the "Driveway".

Driveway Austin Motorsports Academy and Retreat

The course was this minus the cone chicane between 3 and 4.
http://www.laneholloway.com/wp-conte...rix-course.jpg

Rumor is that next year it'll run at COTA.

you could probably do it for under a grand... just go with the cheapest race tickets, and book a cheap hotel in advance, eat cheap and dont drink any alcohol.

Yep, it is absolutely possible to go for under a grand. Shoot, you could probably almost get out for two at that price unless you have to factor in lots of gas or plane tickets to Austin.

I just got back from Austin. Spent the race weekend at the track and then two days camping and exploring the state.

I was actually dreading going as I've been really busy recently but it was a great vacation and the track and racing was wonderful. I've never been to a track with so many great spectator locations that they allow you to get to for general admission. I had grandstand seats in the esses and didn't use them. Watched qualifying and practices from all around, turn 1 and turn 11 are great, turn 8-9-10 too- and watched the race from the braking zone into turn 1 right in front of a big monitor.

The walking to and from the track to the shuttles was a pain. But the shuttle service itself was great, I only paid for parking downtown $20 a day.

Definitely going again next year. Without a doubt.

Let me quantify that $$: we booked hotel within 3 days of race, stayed in Austin 4 days and hit a ton of downtown restaurants, live music venues, ate and drank like kings and took home some goodies from the race...

Next year I probably won't bring the wife all 3 days to the track (just Sunday for race), pay less for tickets, cut the entertainment & hotel expense in half etc.

Agree that $1k could get it done and still not miss out on the important bits.

Still, this was a birthday gift, so.... When in Rome :p