Motorsport Tourism?
Jan 22, 2020, 10:18 am
#227
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Hilton, United, Gold DL
Posts: 993
Monaco was amazing for me, not because of the race itself but because of the history and location. It was THE RACE as a kid, and I loved every minute of being there live.
However would not be a race I'd take someone who wasn't an F1 fan to. Hemmed in, expensive and dull racing usually.
Hungary is quite good for new fans. In a large bowl so you can see racing at lots of places. Decent prices and close to the city (Budapest) for commuting.
However would not be a race I'd take someone who wasn't an F1 fan to. Hemmed in, expensive and dull racing usually.
Hungary is quite good for new fans. In a large bowl so you can see racing at lots of places. Decent prices and close to the city (Budapest) for commuting.
Took the GF to Monaco last year. The only racing she had been exposed to prior was joining me at Laguna for two of my races.
She thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Monaco and the race action, the shopping, walking around, the cars, the fans. She even desired a Lewis 44 hat. The race was great this year with lots of action and the home town boy Leclerc driving like an idiot.
There are more to the races than just racing. If you don't go to ALL the events, it is a quick enjoyable day at the race.
Jan 22, 2020, 7:21 pm
#228
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: California
Programs: Iberia
Posts: 38
Couldn't agree more! They're passionate and understand the nuance of the sport, the sabermetricians of motor racing, and I always marvel at some of their insights that I may have missed. Great thing about racing, in particular F1, is the sheer amount of quantitative data and metrics one can analyze when trying to make predictions.
PS - After this thread, think I'll add the Hungary GP on my to-do list.
PS - After this thread, think I'll add the Hungary GP on my to-do list.
Jan 23, 2020, 8:51 am
#229
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Couldn't agree more! Regarding WSPK, I recall many years ago a lower tier race in Macau where the then world's # 2 ranked rider showed up for the race. The disparity of talent between classes were so great, he won the race while finishing the final lap in a wheelie. The only other times I recall seeing such a disparity of talent is in Boxing.
May 6, 2020, 3:05 pm
#230
Join Date: May 2005
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Programs: Marriott (Lifetime Titantium), whatever other programs as benefits make sense.
Posts: 1,920
This past weekend I was meant to be in the Netherlands, watching the Dutch GP return to the F1 calendar. Was excited as a traveller as well, as I was meant to be taking the direct London-Amsterdam Eurostar journey, and the return as well (which had only recently opened). Instead, I was sitting in my small garden in London enjoying the sun.
Just reading this article from Racefans.net, which I thought was interesting. Not sure I agree with all the points and conclusions, but thought this was interesting about the costs of travelling to racing events as we go forward.
I have been taking a trip a year to get to an F1 event, but my income has been cut by Covid 19, and if it doesn't return and I have to choose between my ski holiday or my F1 trip, I'd probably ski and watch racing on TV at home.
I also wonder how city centre street races like Monaco, Baku and Singapore can and will run.
Just reading this article from Racefans.net, which I thought was interesting. Not sure I agree with all the points and conclusions, but thought this was interesting about the costs of travelling to racing events as we go forward.
All this assumes that hordes of fans will reach ‘away’ circuits in the first place: Talk in airline circles is of massively hiked ticket prices and deletion of centre seats, which will make ‘foreign’ F1 events less affordable fans, with stringent health and visa requirements making it increasingly unpleasant. Until effective vaccines are developed air travel could be banned at a stroke; and who would risk cash on that (again)?
I also wonder how city centre street races like Monaco, Baku and Singapore can and will run.
May 7, 2020, 1:10 pm
#231
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: It's hot here
Posts: 4,284
It's an interesting thought for sure. I just mentioned in another thread that I'm glad Circuit of the Americas hasn't sent me an invoice for this year's GP tickets because no way am I giving them that much money with so much doubt as to if the race will even happen.
F1 races are fairly unique in the sporting world, IMO. Most people travel at least some distance to attend and they are just huge events.
If it gets too expensive to attend, I'll just go to more regional races. I already go to a lot of other racing series events, but F1 hasn't been the most exciting thing lately and it's just not worth thousands to attend anymore. I'll still watch every single race, for sure, but I can't justify spending so much for a race when the best two racing events I saw all season last year was 3 hours drive and the other a 2 hour flight. Tickets under $100 for each event.
F1 races are fairly unique in the sporting world, IMO. Most people travel at least some distance to attend and they are just huge events.
If it gets too expensive to attend, I'll just go to more regional races. I already go to a lot of other racing series events, but F1 hasn't been the most exciting thing lately and it's just not worth thousands to attend anymore. I'll still watch every single race, for sure, but I can't justify spending so much for a race when the best two racing events I saw all season last year was 3 hours drive and the other a 2 hour flight. Tickets under $100 for each event.
May 12, 2020, 2:53 am
#232
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,220
It's an interesting thought for sure. I just mentioned in another thread that I'm glad Circuit of the Americas hasn't sent me an invoice for this year's GP tickets because no way am I giving them that much money with so much doubt as to if the race will even happen.
F1 races are fairly unique in the sporting world, IMO. Most people travel at least some distance to attend and they are just huge events.
If it gets too expensive to attend, I'll just go to more regional races. I already go to a lot of other racing series events, but F1 hasn't been the most exciting thing lately and it's just not worth thousands to attend anymore. I'll still watch every single race, for sure, but I can't justify spending so much for a race when the best two racing events I saw all season last year was 3 hours drive and the other a 2 hour flight. Tickets under $100 for each event.
F1 races are fairly unique in the sporting world, IMO. Most people travel at least some distance to attend and they are just huge events.
If it gets too expensive to attend, I'll just go to more regional races. I already go to a lot of other racing series events, but F1 hasn't been the most exciting thing lately and it's just not worth thousands to attend anymore. I'll still watch every single race, for sure, but I can't justify spending so much for a race when the best two racing events I saw all season last year was 3 hours drive and the other a 2 hour flight. Tickets under $100 for each event.
Oct 21, 2021, 6:38 pm
#233
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Hilton, United, Gold DL
Posts: 993
Well, I'm going to start and see if we can revive this thread. After two years of car events being cancelled. I've booked trips for 2022 to do a few events
6/19 F1 Canadian GP
Fly to LHR the Wednesday after and hit
6/23-6/25 Goodwood Festival of Speed
7/1-7/3 Silverstone
Fly to Vienna
7/8-7/1 Austrian Gran Prix
Be a wild 4-5 weeks of petrol goodness.
6/19 F1 Canadian GP
Fly to LHR the Wednesday after and hit
6/23-6/25 Goodwood Festival of Speed
7/1-7/3 Silverstone
Fly to Vienna
7/8-7/1 Austrian Gran Prix
Be a wild 4-5 weeks of petrol goodness.