Grandstands go up as F1 US Grand Prix nears

[NickHolt]

Grandstands go up as days countdown to FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX - New seating and hospitality areas under construction as COTA preps for second F1™ Grand Prix

 

AUSTIN, Texas (Nov. 4, 2013) – The sounds of hammers, drills and forklifts can be heard around Circuit of The Americas’ (COTA) 1,500-acre campus, as final preparations are underway for the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, set for Nov. 15-16 in Austin, Texas.

 

COTA is building out the massive grandstands and hospitality areas that will accommodate an estimated 250,000 race fans over the three-day sports and entertainment spectacle, featuring the world’s best drivers and teams and most technically advanced race cars.

 

SKY BOXES

 

New to this year’s reserved seating mix are covered sky boxes located at Turn 2, Turn 20 and on the east side of the Main Grandstand. COTA’s sky boxes provide individual, padded seats with protection from the elements and internal TV monitors so guests can watch race cars as they loop the 3.4-mile circuit. The new sky boxes are located in areas with great views of the live racing action, too, as drivers enter and depart the track’s Main Straight. COTA added the covered sky boxes this year after quickly selling out of premium seating options in the Main Grandstand and at Turns 1 and 15.

 

TEMPORARY GRANDSTANDS

 

Crews are also putting the finishing touches on the temporary grandstands returning to Turns 3, 4, 5, 9, 11 and 12. These grandstand bleacher seats offer exceptional vantage points at affordable prices, starting as low at $79 per person for Friday’s practice sessions. COTA’s trackside suites and hospitality units situated at Turns 1, 13 and 19 are also taking shape.

 

TEAM BUILDINGS

 

In the COTA Paddock, construction of the Team Buildings that will serve as office and hospitality space for the 11 Formula One™ teams is almost complete. Garages that will house the F1 cars are being cleaned and prepared for the tons of racing equipment that will soon arrive from overseas.

 

THEMED HOSPITALITY AREAS (renderings by Liv by Design)

 

Additionally, construction will soon begin on three new themed hospitality areas that will be open to all race fans throughout the weekend. Spectators looking to quench their need for speed can check out the Adrenaline Lounge in the Grand Plaza with its racing-themed décor, music and food and beverage offerings—plus arcade and yard games, a kids craft area and a mechanical bull!

 

Also in the Grand Plaza, just behind the Austin360 Amphitheater, guests will find the COTA Cantina, a lively entertainment space complete with colorful furnishings, mariachi players, Spanish dancers, and a variety of Mexican food options.

 

Across the track at Turn 6, race fans looking for a hearty experience will find an authentic German Biergarten. The COTA Hoftbrau House will feature rib-sticking eats, a robust sampling of domestic, foreign and craft beers, and toe-tapping polka music.

 

Media representatives interested in covering COTA’s final preparations for the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX can arrange visits to the track by contacting COTA Public & Media Relations Manager Ali Putnam at 512.301.6600 or media@circuitoftheamericas.com.

 

Tickets for reserved seats to the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, along with general admission passes and parking, can be purchased online at www.circuitoftheamericas.com/f1 or through www.ticketmaster.com. For information on personal seat licenses for Formula 1 events and other motorsports

and entertainment programming at Circuit of The Americas, call the Circuit’s Sales Team at 512.301.6600 and press “1” to be connected to a sales representative.

 

For individuals, groups and companies looking to experience the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX race weekend in a special way, Circuit of The Americas™ Official program, Circuit of The Americas Experiences (www.COTAExperiences.com, 866.801.6975), is offering racing enthusiasts a turn-key elevated race weekend experience to the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX.

[Lothar]

When I was there for SVRA I saw quite a few things that were different from last year - including those skyboxes. I was in turn 2 last year and those seats were probably the worst grandstand seats available.

 

They were also putting up some large hospitality building behind the uncovered MG seats that wasn't there last year, and there was a new suite in turn 18 that is taking over what had been one of the good GA areas last year.

 

I wish they had picked up some more support races though. There's going to be a lot of downtime out there.