re: Anyone been to the US Grand Prix in Austin ?

Went back in 2012 with my uncle, had a blast. It's still the only big-time racing event I've ever been to.

The wail of the old V8s will never leave me. You could hear it for miles. We got to the track just after the start of FP1 and walked up on turn 11, at the start of the back straight. I was riveted to the spot for about 20 minutes.

I would love to go again as an adult. It was all a blur as an 18-year-old.

We did a couple of laps around the track during the race, never stopped for longer than maybe 10 minutes in any one place. I agree with what others have said, good viewing spots are at the bottom of the esses, turn 12 and the 16-17-18-19 horseshoe. You are right on top of the cars at the horseshoe, maybe 100 feet from the track if you're on the fence.

The tower in the horseshoe is overrated, not really worth the line unless it's during the race. There's nothing up there other than a view, but it is really cool if you can get up there doing the race because you can see the entire track at once.

Get a good view of the race start if you can, it's one of the coolest things in sport.