Austin F1 Grand Prix 15th to 19th November 2012

Intro

The Formula 1 United States Grand Prix comes to Texas

The much-anticipated Texas Grand Prix facility will provide a unique experience. The 3.4-mile circuit has many elevation changes and 20 turns. Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy views of the scenic hill country circuit from the comfort of ideally positioned grandstands that will hold 120,000 fans.

Our Austin F1 Grand Prix event is much more than a race weekend it's a fabulous Texas experience. Our home for the Grand Prix weekend is a famous colonial hotel situated next door to the historic Alamo in the centre of San Antonio. When guests are not at the circuit they shall enjoy an action packed stay. A visit to the Alamo, a champagne river cruise and and evening of rock and roll duelling pianos are just some of the things we have waiting for you.

The Menger Hotel San Antonio

Step into the exquisite three-story Victorian lobby of the Menger Hotel, and you’ll be transported to a time of frontier history and legend. Built in 1859 the Menger ushered in a new era of sophistication to the Texas frontier, and more than 150 years of refinements have created a masterpiece of traditional elegance and modern comforts.

Menger Hotel is renowned for its beautiful architecture, a restored 19th-century wing with Victorian-style guestrooms, rare antique furniture, and paintings. Stately columns rise from the burnished floor of the lobby, and antique furnishings, light fixtures, and artwork lend an air of historic luxury.

The Menger offers accommodations of historic sophistication and modern conveniences. Views include The Alamo, Alamo Plaza, and the tropical courtyard garden or pool.

Guests are lavished with amenities, including dining in the neoclassical elegance of the Colonial Room Restaurant, enjoying cocktails and stories in the legendary Menger Bar, or relaxing in the large outdoor heated pool, in the Spanish garden, or at the Alamo Plaza Spa.

Many San Antonio attractions are within a few blocks, including the Alamo and the famous Riverwalk.

Guest Rooms
Standard King Rooms: Charming rooms decorated with traditional classic furnishings with pedestal-style fixtures in the bathroom.
Suites: Specially designed suites appeal to couples who prefer more spacious living quarters. Suites feature an elegant parlour area and one king bed in a separate room.

Why you should stay in San Antonio

When we conducted our pre race visit in October 2011 we stayed in San Antonio and Austin. We travelled to the circuit from both cities and whilst the circuit was closer to Austin the volume of city traffic and mostly grid locked Austin road network negated any advantage of proximity. In contrast the drive from San Antonio was on a fast flowing major highway to the circuit entrance.

It was easy to see why San Antonio is the premier visitor destination in Texas. San Antonio, home of the Alamo and the riverwalk, has more character than any other big city in Texas. It has a downtown area that is historic, attractive, friendly, comfortable and safe. You can’t go wrong in San Antonio.

We expected Austin to be great but what we encountered was nightmare traffic, pushy drivers and a sprawling down town similar to Houston or Dallas. We got talking with a group of Austinites, they were amazed that we were staying in Austin. “You should stay in San Antonio” one advised us”. “San Antonio is where we take family and friends when they visit us” another said.

We enjoyed the Austin 6th Street music bars but decided we preferred the San Antonio music scene. We stayed another couple of days in Austin before heading down the highway back to San Antonio. At the end of our stay we had fallen in love with ‘San-An’.

Race tickets Overview

The much-anticipated Texas Grand Prix facility will provide a unique experience. The 3.4-mile circuit has many elevation changes and 20 turns.
Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy views of the scenic hill country circuit from the comfort of ideally positioned grandstands that will hold 120,000 fans.

Stadium Arena Grandstand - Included ticket
Huge panoramic view of the circuit, many bends and prime vantage point for overtaking action.

Main Grandstand - Upgrade ticket
Get close to the cars and drivers and watch the build up to the race, pits stops and podium celebrations. Air conditioned restaurants are located underneath the grandstand.

Welcome reception party in the Menger bar

We host a welcome party in the legendary Menger bar. An exact replica of London’s House of Lord’s Pub, the Menger Bar is where Teddy Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders. Built in 1887, this establishment has a panelled ceiling of dark cherry wood, bevelled mirrors from France and the original brass spittoons provided for the convenience of its early customers. Once the site of more cattle deals than any place in Texas, the Menger Bar has been voted one of the Top Ten Most Historic Bars in the United States. We serve up wine and beer along with delicious appetizers, the Menger Bar will make your visit something to remember.

Champagne cruise along the San Antonio river walk

Millions of people visit the River Walk each year to enjoy this unusual urban sanctuary that winds along the San Antonio river in central San Antonio. Lots of folks take a tour aboard a river cruiser, but only special visitors get to enjoy a champagne cruise along the river.

Sunday celebration dinner at the Menger Colonial Room Restaurant

Among the celebrities who have dined here are Presidents Grant and McKinley, Robert E. Lee, and French actress Sarah Bernhardt. The Colonial Room Restaurant's famous mango ice cream was served at both of President Clinton’s inaugurations. Not quite as famous as past presidents MotoExpress guests will still be treated as visiting royalty!

Special MotoExpress room rates for extra nights

Book extra nights and turn your Austin F1 weekend into an Texas adventure.

In addition to the events we have arranged here are some of top things to see and do in and around San Antonio.

Alamo. Next door to Menger hotel. Visit late mid afternoon, when the crowds will have thinned. Re learn the story when for 13 days in 1836, around 200 Texas defenders held the Alamo from over one thousand of General Santa Anna's troops. The defenders, William Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett, would die fighting overwhelming odds for freedom.

Howl at the Moon duelling pianos. The worlds greatest rock & roll duelling piano bar is the 'Howl at the Moon' San Antonio. Part bar, part concert and 100% fun! If you are up for a great evenings fun, put on your cowboy hat and boots and join the party!

LaValitta. A short river walk from the Menger, LaValiia is San Antonio's first neighbourhood is now a thriving arts and crafts community. La Villita makes for a relaxing and scenic walk where you'll pass scores of artisans, from glassblowers to spinners, hard at work.

Mission Trail. A pedestrian route that starts at the Alamo and winds nine miles along the San Antonio River passing four other historical missions. Walk cycle or take an organised tour.

The Majestic Theatre. Everyone from Jack Benny to Mae West played the Majestic, one of the last 'atmospheric' theatres to be built in America. Don't matter who's topping the bill, buy a ticket and go.

All these experiences can be booked with the hotel concierge.

Flights and Airport transfers

For this event you should book flights to San Antonio international airport.  The cost of the flights are not included in the event price.
Limousine transfers to and from your hotel can be added as a cost option during the booking process.

If you do not wish to book the limousine transfers, you can buy tickets in the baggage reclaim area for a shuttle service which does drop offs at the Menger hotel. Expect to pay $18 each way.

All the major US airlines and International airlines will fly you to San Antonio. More than likely you will be routed through Dallas or Houston.

When we visited San Antonio in October 2011 we travelled with British Airways to Houston. We picked up a hire car at the airport and stayed a night in Houston then drove up to San Antonio, it was around a 3.5 hour drive. This was a mistake. We would have been better taking a connecting flight to San Antonio. A car is completely unnecessary in San Antonio and parking is expensive at around $20 / day.

Previous year's photos

Here is small selection of photos we took on our pre race visit in October 2011.

During the race weekend we capture the spirit of the event in photos which we publish on our Photo Album for your lasting enjoyment.

You can access all our event photos by clicking the following link. Motoexpress Photo Album

What you've said

We invite guests to return to this section after they have attended the race and to share their enjoyment of the event with others.

Send your feedback