Turn9,
I really don't feel like talking about this but it needs to be said.
There are some HUGE treehuggers in Austin. They don't think like me, they don't think like a hardcore F1 fan, and they certainly don't think like a 'Formula 1 percenter.' These people do not understand the elitist F1 mentality, and they don't want to.
They don't want to come to terms with what this race means for Austin on an international stage. They want to keep Austin, pristine, uncrowded, and small time. Normal people recognize what this means for Austin and are absolutely excited about it.
I sat in the grandstands and watch literally helicopter after helicopter shuttle the wealthy back and forth. I drove past the airport and saw more private jets then I have ever seen. I saw wealth in excess that is tough to even comprehend.
I also saw excitement. Lot's of it. I saw smiles everywhere I went. Not just from race fans, or employees of COTA, but I saw smiles on workers downtown that realized this is HUGE. Yes, I saw grumpy old people at restaurants that don't want change. That just don't understand and don't want to give it a chance.
Well ya know what? F1 is here. And it's here to stay. The economic impact from this event will be on the high side of the estimate and I am sick and tired of reading comments on editorials from grumpy treehuggers that just don't understand.
/rant.
