With F1 attendance declining, MotoGP attendance still lower than expected AND DORNA increasing fees (reason IMS dropped out), and now COTA state funding cut from 25 to 20 million, what's the future of MotoGP in the US?
Joined Aug 2013
902 Posts | 509+
USA
As far as MotoGP at COTA, they do have a contract through 2016, the current fee is $10 million... they should be making money with MotoGP, but from the people that I have talked to at COTA the track is terribly managed... though I would expect that next year's MotoGP crowd will be better being that it is the only GP in north America.
That's a great point. Let's hope so. And I definitely agree with the bad management comment. Went to F1 last year, and never again there. It was the 4th year, and it was still a disaster. Paid to the wazoo for tickets at the main grand stand ($1,200 each), and the only place where you could get food ran out of the only decent offerings... after one freaking hour of doing lines. They made us wait in line without announcing it until we were there; geez. And the shuttle service was really bad too. And to make matters worse, you get ..... big time by hotels there, so you already arrive at Austin with a sour taste in your mouth. If I were to attend F1 ever again (doubtful in its current state), I'd go to Montreal, or even Mexico. And pay less, even though I live in TX. Sad.
Having said the above, I plan to attend MotoGP in 2016... unless my cancer has other plans for me. He he. Hotels still .... you, but much less than during F1. And COTA tickets are much cheaper as well. Really hope COTA puts their $hit together, for the benefit of the sport. They should have signed popular bike and car riding/driving schools since the beginning. Now with F1 in trouble and less state funding, hope they make it in the long run.
Thanks brother. Never been in a hospital in my life, healthy as a horse. So didn't think much when skipping my annual physical. BIG MISTAKE. Caught this crap really late due to no symptoms, and barely made it. The worst is over, but I'm basically back to square one, since I have to undergo treatment all over again. And it's a huge risk due to the toxicity of chemo (that's why I have to wait as long as possible... while I get worse. A catch 22.). Would have been in full remission by now if I had caught it earlier. Bottom line is it doesn't matter how healthy you are or have been, or how young, CHECK YOURSELVES (physical) every year folks. Don't make the mistake I made. And keep in mind I eat very healthy, exercise frequently, am in great shape, haven't had stress for decades. Don't know what the hell hit me. My rare leukemia has no known causes. With all the crap in today's food and water, you just never know. Hope nobody here ever has to face this. But if you do, catch it early by checking yourselves every year. Hope I made my point clear
. And thank you again for the good wishes. Now back to the topic, after hijacking my own thread.
. And thank you again for the good wishes. Now back to the topic, after hijacking my own thread.
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Joined Oct 2015
985 Posts | 634+
Siebenbürgen süße Heimat!
Get well soon!
I hear f1 might not come back to cota for stated reasons. Ramblings about lil napoleon wanting a west coast round since they'll never pull of nyc/nj.
Looks like cota is up .... creek,especially now that mexico got its deserved race. Would love to see gp there as well. They're basically Spanish people with a better cuisine, should work I guess.
The stadium section puts hockenheim to shame
I hear f1 might not come back to cota for stated reasons. Ramblings about lil napoleon wanting a west coast round since they'll never pull of nyc/nj.
Looks like cota is up .... creek,especially now that mexico got its deserved race. Would love to see gp there as well. They're basically Spanish people with a better cuisine, should work I guess.
The stadium section puts hockenheim to shame
Joined Aug 2013
902 Posts | 509+
USA
I was at F1 this year too, 4 years into F1 and they only have about 6 concession stands, and only 1 bathroom in the main grand stand, and very little paved walking paths. I would have expected by now that they would have had more infrastructure in place. I also do not think I got my money's worth this year, and may not be back next next for F1.
as far as hotels, I was lucky and got a room at the Omni for $200/night during F1, for motogp last year I used AirBnB got a nice 2 bedroom condo down town for $400 for the weekend.
as far as hotels, I was lucky and got a room at the Omni for $200/night during F1, for motogp last year I used AirBnB got a nice 2 bedroom condo down town for $400 for the weekend.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Thats what made Indy so appealing was that you didnt feel like you were getting ...... Ticket price 73.00 bucks. Nice Hotel/ Motel for 125/150 a night. Split that with a buddy. Good food at good prices, the town made you feel welcome, not like an invading criminal. No parking issues. I would gladly put up with mediocre track for a superior overall weekend and facility.
Joined Apr 2015
1K Posts | 731+
neptune
i loved austin this past year for motoGP, wish i had gotten to spend some more time down town though.
Joined Jul 2015
812 Posts | 336+
Hurricane, WV
Do they have the same issues at the NASCAR and Indy race? Or is there a large enough difference in the amount of people they open additional resources?
Hope heal up and make the race elptxjc!
Hope heal up and make the race elptxjc!
Joined Aug 2013
902 Posts | 509+
USA
One good thing about Austin is they have a really good down town environment with lots of restaurants, bars, and clubs. everything is in walking distance, ideally you need to stay in a hotel down town which is going to cost a bit more, though when you factor in parking fees or uber costs I think its worth it to stay down town.
Joined Aug 2009
1K Posts | 328+
Vancouver
Cota will be saved,
The word is that the peeps that bought Miller are putting in an offer to buy Cota.
The word is that the peeps that bought Miller are putting in an offer to buy Cota.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Joined Sep 2009
482 Posts | 198+
Austin, Tx. USA
Just put the circuit on the left hand side of the fairway.
I have heard rumors of a Casino.
There's an old farmer, Mr. Haywood who's holding out for the big bucks.
A neighbor told me he gets a visit from Mexican billionaires sometimes.
I learned from last time that's the way to go. I've used VRBO/Homeaway for international rentals, and didn't occur to me that applies to the US too. Duh! Just rented a super nice house in Vegas to spend Christmas with my daughter, and paid less than a third over the Venetian ridiculous holiday prices. Plan to do that for MotoGP, but can't plan in advance, so don't know if it's going to work out or not. After treatment will be knocked out for months, so will depend when that happens. If not, the following year
.Didn't know somebody was interested in buying COTA. That's a good sign, I guess. But they'd have to buy it for a song, to be able to survive without the charity of the state... which could dry up at any time. I also heard F1 is looking at a street circuit in San Diego now. That could spell the end for COTA, especially when the Mexican race is right next to Austin. I think next year is 2 weeks after, rather than 1. But that's too damn close for the great majority of people to attend both. And honestly, after my last experience at COTA, I'd choose Mexico over COTA. Ouch! Hopefully they'll get their act together. But I'm not going again until I hear that.
But will give COTA a chance on MotoGP for sure. In fact, COTA's and MotoGP's future in the US might depend on next year's MotoGP race folks, so let's all try to make it
. I liked what they offered this year, which is access to different seats AS WELL AS paddock passes.... and for way less than even a cheapo F1 ticket. Don't know how it worked, but it's a great idea. I learned the hard way the main grandstand is the worst place to be, so won't make that mistake again. And with a short race, sun protection is not that important, so not even a covered stand is necessary, especially in April. Looking forward to make it, and meet some other fans there.
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