- Login or Register
No account yet? Sign up
Circuit of The Americas today announced that it has been declared ready to host the 2012 F1 United States GP by Charlie Whiting, who directs racing, safety and technical matters for the FIA. Whiting visited the Central Texas racing circuit as part of a scheduled pre-race inspection and approved the circuit for “Grade 1” status, hence appropriate to host an F1 race.
Doubt it.xpensive wrote:If ticket- and hotel-prices are kept up the way indicated, perhaps neither parking nor exit will be much of a problem?
Having never seen nor heard an F1 car in reality, I would like to do that once before the V8s go the way of the dodo. So, as far as I'm concerned, this circuit has two things going for it: it's close to me, and it looks like most views from the infield will include about 90% of the track.strad wrote:I think that the hotel and restaurant folks are shooting themselves in the foot by jacking prices. Short sighted and I think there will be many thousands that will say to themselves...Why pay a fortune and put up with the hassle just to say you were there? Especially when you can get better coverage sitting in your armchair.
Sure, I'm undercutting the hotels. Only $450 a night.strad wrote:I know....We'll all stay at Hairys
That's always the question isn't it? Why go to the race/baseball/football/hockey game whenever you can stay at home, watch for free, and have much cheaper beer besides?strad wrote:I think that the hotel and restaurant folks are shooting themselves in the foot by jacking prices. Short sighted and I think there will be many thousands that will say to themselves...Why pay a fortune and put up with the hassle just to say you were there? Especially when you can get better coverage sitting in your armchair.
Well, what's the point of running a business if not to make money? This is no different than any other business dealings centered around a large event. Check prices close to the Super Bowl? STAGGERING cost anywhere within fifty miles of the place.bhallg2k wrote: That said, you're absolutely right. Then again, I've come to expect nothing less than relentless profiteering, even if it flies in the face of sustainability. But, CotA aren't doing prospects for the latter any favors by displaying a stunning lack of foresight.
The Super Bowl is the event. It moves around from place to place. F1 is the event. It moves around from place to place. F1 has existed for over fifty years. The venue does not matter. The idea that a circuit somehow needs history is utterly laughable. Hungaroring has history. Doesn't make it any more interesting.bhallg2k wrote:The Super Bowl has been around for 46 years and started from very humble, grassroots beginnings. The Circuit of the Americas doesn't quite exist yet, and there's no guarantee it will host the United States Grand Prix 46 months from now. By pricing itself in the stratosphere, they're doing a lot to assure themselves no chance of sprouting grassroots support. It seems hotels in the area have made the cynical bet that they'd better get the money now, because it probably won't be around in the future.
You'll no doubt point to a tenant of microeconomics that, of course, justifies this sort of price gouging. That seems to be the modus operandi of cutthroat capitalism these days. However, I'd remind you that institutions are built slowly over time and with a long view that engenders a sense of responsibility. Fads like CotA come and go and rarely leave behind any more than trace that they ever existed.
If only CotA possessed a similar ability to see into the future...bhallg2k wrote:You'll no doubt point to a tenant of microeconomics that, of course, justifies this sort of price gouging.
