So they finally released some more information about these, which I first saw advertised at the USGP. Beyond what's at their website: https://t11carcondos.com/ Pricing is $305 to $410 per sqft and units are 1333 to 6000 sqft About half the XL units near the clubhouse are taken but there seems to be good availability for all the other sizes. At first I thought this would be great, but unlike the club tracks like MSR it only gets you 2 weekends a year on track, and you're largely on your own to find track days. Also unlike MSR, you can't use it as a residence or place of business. If your collection has outgrown your current space, it would be great.
it also isn't convenient within the track as originally planned. as you say I think perfect for a personal collection and hangout, not a hard core tracker.
It's pretty darn convenient, but yeah, you wouldn't want to run a race car from there to the grid for every session. I'm not entirely sure my race car could make it over some of the bumps and dips unless they built a new access road directly onto the back straight, which would not be a great idea.
Is there even any maintenance services located at the track? I don't think there is. So after a track day car needs to go to Buda or into Austin to a different location to be serviced and it could just as easily be stored with them, picked up and delivered for a track day. Probably for a lot less all in or am I missing something? Many tracks I am familiar with provided space for those types of services on site at the track.
There's not even maintenance services for the track, with in the track...LOL! They keep the gravel up on the Hill, in RV Parking... Stripped asphault is over in Lot M....
They have truly "lost the plot", between Ducati Island experience this year and my problems with them and F1, I really can no longer say "I wish them well." In fact I predict "something" happens, but I would hate to see it fail, like TWS
I hate to see any business fail but had I lived here at the time I would have never supported it using public money to make it viable any more than I think taxpayers should be on the hook for sports stadiums. Study after study shows them to be a net loss to the tax payers. One of those studies I read included COTA. If you sell the idea as a quality of life thing fine but quit telling me it is a financial benefit. Thats just a lie.
Sports Satdium, rich f*&(%*& making money..it's no accident Red McCombs name floated so much cash. I might have a chat soon, with him, he likes that Luling BBQ. But Bobby Epstein has real deep problems right now, and I know them ALL. Because, you know......I get around....... Read the reddit after the Stones. Ticket holders are going to burn them, with torches. NO open fires, permitted to COTA RV camping...... They will find me a dangerous advisary, I hope we can work things out. I will bring Kevin Swantz...
Everyone wants to see "The Superbowl"...Houston has hosted TWO. Incredible cash burn, if the workers only knew....
Given how many people were flying in and out of ABIA, you can't say F1 isn't a draw for Texas and Austin. Now if that justifies the amount of tax rebate we pretty much route straight to F1, that's a more interesting question. I am pretty sure that if we lost F1, the money for track maintenance would dry up, and we'd lose MotoGP. Then it's just a matter of time before it goes the way of TWS. Without somebody at the helm that truly loves motorsports and has very deep pockets, I'd say COTA is in a precarious position.
If you study a break down of all the money, most of the money it brings in goes to businesses that take it right back out. F1, the airlines, the hotel chains, restaurant chains etc. Outside of initial construction most of the jobs it creates are low or minimum wage, many just part time. The entire finances of sports stadiums have been studied in detail many times and the outcome is always the same and in one study I read they included COTA. It is a financial negative to the taxpayers, in every case. Like I said, if it is presented as a quality of life improvement that will cost every man woman and child "X" dollars and they like the idea and vote for it, so be it. But that never happens. It is always sold as it will bring X millions to the community, be a financial benefit for that community and it is just a lie. If it made financial sense private money would pay, not the tax payers.
What is more interesting is the Garages Of The Americas across the street from the racetrack. They are technically closer. They were announced like a year ago and are about to break ground with many units already reserved. Maybe the race track building their own was in response to these? And they are like half the price. You could get 2 for 1 there basically. Also are you sure buying one at the track is going to get you any days on the track at all like included? I have been told the opposite. Also despite their website saying Q12023 there is no way they will be done by then, not even close and dealing with the city of Austin (they are in the city) is going to be a nightmare. There will be businesses at the other one including an onsite vehicle repair shop/track prep day/transport service to the track and also an on-site store that sells all the goodies you would want to be in the proximity of the track. By the looks of the site also onsite detailing/PPF etc. as well. I am pretty certain that will be more of a community at the other ones and the prices can't be beat.
I agree with all your points. So do you agree it drives the value? It was a big blow to C OTA when Austin dropped the $25MM a year subsidy they were provided. Of course the tracks argument was that was a small price to pay for all the value add pumped into Austin for that event.
The guy I talked to at T11 said their HOA would basically rent the track 2 weekends a year. So that's something, but if you hit up all the other orgs (PCA, BMW, Edge Addicts, Driver's Edge, etc.) you probably get all you can use. With my luck the 2 weekends would fall on some other commitment.
I was hoping for something like member days every Tu/Th when the track is otherwise quiet, but they're not ready to do anything like that at COTA. They still think they're too special.
I believe the money came from a state program, not the city. Value to me? No. But my point is it should be a question for the voters only after a true accounting of probable costs is made to the voters and not a lie telling them it is an economic benefit. No different than voting for a tax because it is a tax. And this is not just about COTA. It is about every new stadium built nation wide for bitchy team owners who want a new palace paid for by someone else to put their team in and entertain their friends built with money they had to lie to us to get.
Have you guys already heard what the yearly fees or maintenance will be? I heard a number that was crazy expensive.
Ill look back at the info, but I'd rather have a hangar at 88r so I can keep cars and planes. Plus for the cost I can build a hangar for less.
www.garagesOTA.com or www.garagesOfTheAmericas.com is the site for the one across the road from the circuit.
