Day 14 - Austin, TX Day 2

The Circuit of the Americas track parking opened at 9am and gates at 9:30am. When we woke temps were mid 40s and 56 when we hit the road. We bundled up in our jacket liners for the ride over. 

Usually Fridays are much less crowded at the track since it is just all practice sessions. We got in our lot D just fine and front parking spots were open. Rob noticed a 1987 Honda Hurricane parked next to us. He had this same bike as his first bike, but his had the 1988 bodywork. It is a rare-ish bike now. 

We got through the gates just fine using the mobile ticketing system. In the Grand Plaza everyone is greeted by this huge metal monster in a pond that breathes fire. They were changing out his propane when we arrived.

We found our grandstand, turn 15, and walked up to our seats. Michele was happy that the seats were plastic seats, not metal bleachers. They had backs to them and were more comfortable than bleacher style seats. Our seats are in a really good section to see the action. We can see everything from the back straight coming into turn 12 all through the entrance of turn 16, plus a few other areas in the distance up the hill. The scoreboard and a big screen were also in front of us. 

We watched MotoGP and Moto3 first practice sessions. After the MotoGP session, Michele walked back out to the bike because Rob forgot his earplugs. It is very loud when the bikes are on the track! While she walked back, a stunt biker was doing big aerials on his stunt bike. 

After the morning sessions, we walked around to the other side of the track and got lunch. It's a bit of a hike to get over there, across two pedestrian bridges over the track. Then we hiked up the hill over to see steep turns 1 and 2, and then to turns 3-5 in the serpentine section. A few riders got a bit squirrely coming out of the steep downhill. At the end of the day we sat at turns 17-18. There were MotoAmerica practices, but we were too tired to stay for those, and the sun had been on us all day. Rob was the photographer today and took 1,500 photos.

We thought it was really funny that a fan brought his Lamborghini with his camper. We're pretty sure he didn't pull the camper behind it. The RV site is at the back of the track facing a long straight track section between turns 2 and 3. 

View of the approach up the steep hill looking on the front straight. The main grandstands are the white building at the far left. The hill doesn't look as steep in this view. The distinctive observation tower is to the right.

After turn 1 (a hairpin left turn), they head down the hill into turn 2 (a long and fast right hander).

Tomorrow is a long day of more practice sessions, then qualifying in the afternoon. We finish with our parade lap starting at 6:30pm.