The good news is that quite a few of the grand stands are sold out. So maybe F1 will come back to America?

I keep on telling a friend of mine that I will believe it when I see it in 2013. As, I am reminded about the first and only ALMS race at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC a few years back that was a much touted "ten year deal", that happened only once. I attended that race with a three day "Super Pass" that was pretty affordable (especially compared to the prices for an F1 pass). I was "shocked" to see all of the Washington "YUPPIES", many with their young children in strollers, without any kind of hearing protection for any member of their family. Needless to state: That the one and only RFK race got canceled after that because people finally figured out that race cars make noise!

I understand that the potential issue in Austin is going to be the traffic impact for the locals. This is evidenced by this SITE which included an ad for helicopter shuttle service in and out of the track

 

I've read that there is a pretty large exclusion zone around the race track area and the ONLY way in and out will be by bus.
or perhaps that helicopter.
now that I read Matt's posting, $250 per car parking
or $150 per person to take a fricking bus

and I thought the tickets were rape.

 

It's crap like that which makes me 'care less' if F1 comes to the US. Do I watch it? Sure. Do I care to go? Not really. I've been to a few and the last good one for me was 1976 when life and prices were still good.

 

I really liked the F1 races at Indianapolis. Affordable and welcoming of race fans of all income levels. Austin is way overpriced. It would probably be cheaper to just go to the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

 

Sid Watkins passes away
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/979...-prof-wadkins/

Were it not for his efforts to improve safety, I think F1 would have gradually been on the decline as future generations came to see it as a blood sport.

 

I've always loved the Indy and the city as they really appreciate racing. Although I attended I wasn't all that impressed with the racing.

 

But then Dave, you've seen the best of the best of drivers and tracks through the years. For me Indy is the only benchmark and I found the city, track and atmosphere very welcoming and a lot of fun except for the 2005 race that I did not attend

 

But then Dave, you've seen the best of the best of drivers and tracks through the years. For me Indy is the only benchmark and I found the city, track and atmosphere very welcoming and a lot of fun except for the 2005 race that I did not attend
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You could be right. "Spoiled" I guess. That's why I love 'old school racing' aka vintage, so much. Went to one a couple weeks ago at Grattan Race Track. Saw an MG Midget roll over - I didn't think that was possible but I can assure it is and the really nice part - driver was fine - the really bad part - the car was a mess in the front and the opposite side backside.

Did I mention that I was at Indy when the 200 mph barrier was broken.... damn, am I old or what. But, you guessed that, right? 2005 was not Michelin's finest hour but as I recall, they did own up to it. The one that sticks in my mind was the year that everything went to hell into F1 turn 1 or 2 or whatever it was... can't remember the year. Any ways it was just a big pile up that screwed up the race. The other one is watching it from between Indy turns 2 and 1 in which they ran it backwards.. that may have been 2000. Oh well, senior moment.

 

Neat short video of the Glen's F1 history on CNN.

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video...history-us.cnn

 

^^ Great video! Thanks, Dave.

An aquaintance of mine attended the F1 race in Austin, and I'm anxious to hear about his experience. He usually has a hard-bound photo book made up of the races he attends, and I enjoy his personal play-by-play over breakfast after Cars & Coffee on Sat mornings. He's part of the NSX group here in SoCal.