Short-Throw

I was in Austin roughly a month ago driving on a dirt entrance road through what seemed like a perpetual dust cloud. Drove on the unfinished race track in an Escalade wondering how in the world this facility would be ready to host a major race in the several weeks to come.

Fast forward to Friday and it seemed as if I jumped through a time warp as the construction site was transformed into a venue that is breathtaking.

The Austin Police (and outside law enforcement brought in) along with other municipal services did a fantastic job with traffic and transportation being this was an experiment and a first time run.

The track is like none other I've ever been to.

• The track layout offers a little bit of everything
• There were vendors placed conveniently around the entire track
• The myriad of colors within the complex is easy on the eyes
• Jumbo-trons viewable from almost every seating section
• Different music/performance stages
• An abundance of staff and volunteers
• The Tower -- offering a view of the entire track about 25 stories high
• A walking path around the entire track -- albeit a long one

Definitely a bucket list destination.


I regret being lazy and leaving my good camera behind but here are some iPhone pics -- hopefully others that were there will have more to share.























Stay tuned as I'm working on a track day for next year.


Mike

MarkDFW

Here is video of lap 1 that I shot from my iPhone in turn 15:

http://youtu.be/mD97yXzZJ3M

V8 Juice

Thanks Mike. Do you think all the colors are distracting to the drivers or do they provide good reference points for braking, turn-in, etc? How was attendance vs expectations? NASCAR is bleeding audience like a brake line with a hole in it. Reports on the event run from Texas-size over the top spectacle to "weird". The America theme should go over very well in Texas; good location to bring F1 to USA.
Yeah on track days!

Short-Throw

Art,

I spoke to a driver who said the track was great. The colors outside the curbing didn't bother him. The higher vantage point the viewers have make it seem more distracting that it really is. Your #10 race car will feel right at home here next year.

Mike

JerryTX

I'm in for a track day, this looks like an outstanding place to drive! My view from Turn 11 during Saturday Qualifying . GoPro 2 wasn't the best choice of cameras it was just easy to get in there.

crease-guard

I'm definitely in for a track day as well. The group I run with is supposed to be down there in April so I'm looking forward to running this thing.

I was in turn 12 and spent more time just soaking up the place and forgot to take pictures.

Jay

dvandentop

great stuff keep em coming!! and a track day would be awesome!

Falcon

I've heard the SCCA is having a National race there in March, and the BMWCCA is having a HPDE and Club race there in March, too.

C6RAPTOR

Mike,
I love the track. A NCM HPDE would be great.
Gary

mcar00

Thanks for the pics! Definitely a very impressive facility. Hard to see the elevation changes in a picture. Are they significant?

MR Turco

here's a panorama of Turn 1 i took:

1991Z07

Epic...

Just catch the race on Speed this week on a rebroadcast. In car video showed it pretty well.

I must have walked at least 15 miles this weekend around there...my legs were killing me Sunday night.

Going to do the Paddock Club next year...one of the bucket list items...at my home track.

Life can't get much better!

63Corvette

View My Video

My wife and I had a GREAT time there over the weekend, and were very impressed with the track and the racing. We were less impressed with the changes in access routes from Friday to Sunday, but even so, we arrived at COTA on Sunday morning about 7:05 AM with NO problem, and after the race we were safely "back home" in Austin within one hour. The race organization, facility, and service were all above reproach, although the crowds (120,000 announced) were incredible, and some fans were rude. We had seats in the Grandstand at turn 11, but mostly watched from the grassy berm above turn 11. Now that we know what to expect, we will be back, and better prepared next time The Heritage Flight of a P-38, two P-51s, and an F-16 was just icing on our cake. (BTW I think the FIA "Medical Car - station wagon" could qualify on pole for any NASCAR race)

heavychevy

Some cell pics. Track and venue is phenomenal. Event was well organized and the people were fantastic. From where i took the second picture, you could see almost 1/3 of the track and 10 turns. It was at the top of the turn 15 stands. Until the bleacher **** wouldn't let me stand on the platform at the top anymore. Still great views.

crease-guard

That medical station wagon had an exhaust note like my Z. Thought to myself, "damn, that's not stock".

Then the Mclaren Mercerdes and the wagon were having a go at the track before the race on Sunday. Now how do I get that job?

Jay

AU N EGL

Spend 10 years racing Formula 1. Both the drivers are ex-formula 1 racers

MR Turco

Did anyone enjoy how glorious the force india car sounded when downshifting into turn one? On a good backfire it would echo all the way down the straight. Epic.

RX-Ben

They were the only ones? Usually all the cars sound and feel like cannon shots when going down through the gears. The red bulls sounded distinctly different earlier this year, not sure if that changed.

MR Turco

I found the force indias to be particularly louder than the other cars on the gird, especially when downshifting and off throttle. the caterhams also had a uniquely louder/growlier exhaust note.

0Bobby @ LG Motorsports

The Force Indias sounded the nastiest. My ears were ringing for two full days and my legs still hurt.