There will be bumps in Formula One’s $500 million Las Vegas Grand Prix later this week. AP Auto Racing Writer Jenna Fryer writes that the warning signs have been there.
I went to Spa this year with a few friends, with a standing only ticket. We had to walk over an hour to get to the spot we wanted to go. We then had to shovel the folding chairs we carried into the rocky hillside, and sit in the rain every day. We had to wake up at 6 every day to have a decent spot.
But I’d be lying if it wasn’t the best weekend of my year so far.
Because everyone is there, loving the same thing you do, sitting through the same rain.
When the cars went behind the trees and out of our view, we could see them go round the track because the rain splashed into the air over three times higher than the trees.
We had a big screen to follow the TV broadcast across the track from us, and local commentators describing the race in 4 languages on the tracks dedicated FM radio station.
We watched all the events - F1, F2, F3, Porsche cup, historical demos. We learned to identify the different F1 cars by sound. It was almost a magical experience for me.
I want to do a Monza road trip one of the next years.
I went to Montreal in '17, '18, and '19. For 2020 I got tickets for the family (1st race for my wife and 2 kids) - the entire trip with flights (from Ontario) was $10K. We got most of it back when everything was cancelled (took a year)
We’re considering buying tickets for next year, but I’m struggling to justify it. We do the Toronto Indy every year, and the experience is as good or better for a quarter of the cost
The kids want to go to F1 once, just to see the cars in person. But it will probably be a one and done for us
“ this race was never about attracting new fans to the global motorsport”
No shit, I feel the average fan has been priced out since liberty took over.
Absolutely. Even the cheapest 3 day tickets are over $800 since the prices dropped.
That’s absolutely not affordable for a lot of people after including hotels, airfare, etc.
I don’t want to stand in the cold desert watching a race. I’d much rather be warm and in my house.
It’s literally cheaper to go to Europe to watch a race, which is exactly what I’m planning to do next year
I can only recommend it.
I went to Spa this year with a few friends, with a standing only ticket. We had to walk over an hour to get to the spot we wanted to go. We then had to shovel the folding chairs we carried into the rocky hillside, and sit in the rain every day. We had to wake up at 6 every day to have a decent spot.
But I’d be lying if it wasn’t the best weekend of my year so far.
Because everyone is there, loving the same thing you do, sitting through the same rain.
When the cars went behind the trees and out of our view, we could see them go round the track because the rain splashed into the air over three times higher than the trees.
We had a big screen to follow the TV broadcast across the track from us, and local commentators describing the race in 4 languages on the tracks dedicated FM radio station.
We watched all the events - F1, F2, F3, Porsche cup, historical demos. We learned to identify the different F1 cars by sound. It was almost a magical experience for me.
I want to do a Monza road trip one of the next years.
They took yer jerbs…
Yep. I considered Vegas but it would actually be cheaper to fly to Europe and stay for a week and watch a race there.
I went to Montreal in '17, '18, and '19. For 2020 I got tickets for the family (1st race for my wife and 2 kids) - the entire trip with flights (from Ontario) was $10K. We got most of it back when everything was cancelled (took a year)
We’re considering buying tickets for next year, but I’m struggling to justify it. We do the Toronto Indy every year, and the experience is as good or better for a quarter of the cost
The kids want to go to F1 once, just to see the cars in person. But it will probably be a one and done for us
Just FYI: Formula E is in Mexico City and Portland and WEC will visit Texas. Might be alternatives you wanna make a vacation of.