Houston GP ...

[mesquite]

... is officially here.

http://grandprixofhouston.com/

WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!

Looks like Stand 4 or maybe the at the apex coming off the Dome would be the best stands. Wish they could have made another hairpin.

[Ken]

[morden]

Nice site!

[Brantoc]

They are saying the Hyatt, but how close is that to the race? (walking distance?)

[mesquite]

They are saying the Hyatt, but how close is that to the race? (walking distance?)

I know there's a hotel right across from where the track's at. Don't know if it's a Hyatt.

I knew they wouldn't leave the parking lot to build the track as speculated by some. There would have to be some serious reconstruction. I think the way they have it, all they need is just to repave some old concrete slabs and smooth out some curbs.

People are actually going to be able and see and here the event quite clearly from 610, which is literally a stone's throw from the s/f line.

Getting in and out should work quite well too. They are using the Texan's parking lots, there's the light rail next to the track, and I'm sure Metro will be shuttling people like they did the last GP here.

I'M PUMPED !!!

[Craigar1]

Houston seems to really like the name "Reliant."

[akh]

Houston seems to really like the name "Reliant."

It's the name of our local electricity provider, the former Houston Light and Power became Reliant Energy and they spent a buttload on sponsorships and naming rights.

[Jim Wilke]

Houston seems to really like the name "Reliant."

They used to really like the name "Enron" but stopped using it for some reason....

[akh]

They are saying the Hyatt, but how close is that to the race? (walking distance?)

I don't think it is a Hyatt right across the road (maybe a Radisson or a Marriott?), but there are a bunch of hotels closeby the Reliant Park area, some of them in east walking distance. The other "easy" option would be hotels downtown or in the Medical Center and use the light rail to get back and forth.

[bkeske]

I'm not too impressed. Was hoping for better.

[TU Homer]

I'm not too impressed. Was hoping for better.

How so?

I have no perspective on distances, but it appears there are some decent sections where the speeds can get high-ish, plus a high-speed "carousel" type of stretch near the Astrodome. With the track NOT being elongated (such as Long Beach or Gold Coast) it seems like a person could walk around the track during practice/qualifying simple enough.

At first blush, I think it might work pretty well. But I will see when I get there.


-TU

[jonovision_man]

I was looking at google maps:

http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=westridge+drive+,+houston,+tx&spn=0.005570,0.010763&t=h&iwloc=A&hl=en

The track map doesn't seem to match what I'm seeing? From google it looks like it'll be a pretty cool circuit, not nearly as boxy as the track map makes it look.

[Indyknut]

When they come up with a circuit like this it makes forgetting Road America easier and easier.

[bkeske]

???? You have to be kidding....right?

[bkeske]

How so?
.... it seems like a person could walk around the track during practice/qualifying simple enough.

Well, if that is the important 'stuff', then I'm sure you will be pleased.

There just isn't very many passing zones that I can see. Seems all very cramped....kinda like Miami....OH NOOOOOOO......

It is better than San Jose though...I guess that is a 'plus'.