Sure, the Formula 1 races at our own Austin track are spectacular, and, of course, currently COTA is the only US Grand Prix race venue.
But, for my money, if I had to choose, I’d opt for the Vintage GP races. This year (2014) the Vintage GP race weekend is October 8-12.
What is so great about Vintage GP?
- An incredible variety of GP race cars dating from the ‘teens to the seventies
- Ticket prices are a fraction of Formula 1 costs
- Access to the pits is included in your ticket cost, so you get up close and personal with the cars
- Crowds are minimal, allowing fans to sit anywhere around the track
Enjoy images from the 2013 races, and start making plans now for Vintage GP 2014:
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Other benefits? Conversation with the friendly owners and drivers and getting the lessons in automotive racing history. And the sounds! Listening to the V12 (Lagonda), the OHC sixes (Maserati and the Talbot Lagos) and the OHC straight 8 (Bugatti) up close when driven in anger was a real thrill, as was following them through the esses during the pre-war race in the #6 red Morgan, watching the drivers fling these old beauties around while coping with narrow tires and primitive suspensions. Given how little support the driver’s body has in some of the cars (I tried on the cockpit of David Duthu’s blue Talbot Lago and found it absolutely huge), I marveled at the pace they were able set, given the physical requirements of driving the pre-war GP cars.