So, you are going to the United States Grand Prix and worried about what to bring. Here are 5 tips you need to enjoy the race and beat the Texas heat.
Read to the end for a secret any racing fan wants to know, where to locate the best General Admission Bathrooms at COTA.
Water and Electrolytes
The Texas sun is hot, so preparing for it starts now. Hydrating before arriving at the track is key to a good race weekend. Bring a bottle that you can refill to the race , as there are plenty of refill stations available, and you will want to always have a full water bottle with you. The circuit does sell Coca – Cola products, including Powerade, but if you are looking for more options, Liquid IV (or any powder electrolyte) easily packs into whatever bag you are carrying.
Sun Protection, Sun Recovery and Trackside Toiletries
Even in the shade, the sun is brutal. You are mostly walking on sand or asphalt, and it is nearly impossible to avoid the heat. Use a water-resistant sunscreen at the start of the day and please do not forget to reapply! Lip balm with sunscreen will save you from a painful sun blister.
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How you recover between race sessions matters too. In a 72 hour period you are exposed to a combination of sun, sweat, the dirt and debris. I travel with shea butter and almond oil to help with skin hydration. You may also want aloe vera to aid any sunburn relief.
As far as at the track toiletries- I keep a travel sized spray deodorant as well in my bag, as well as a small spray sunscreen to make reapplication easier. Tissues and any form of wet wipe are also wise to keep.
A Tote Bag and a Shuttle Pass
I opt for a tote bag because it is easy to manage. One of the great things about COTA is the endless brand activations around the track. Fans can collect everything from trading cards to bandanas and a bag makes it that much easier. There are also many merch stations, and nothing is worse than buying a sweatshirt and then having to find a place to set it down every time you move.
The shuttles are the best option, there are a few different options listed on the COTA website. The shuttles are charter buses that are air conditioned with charging outlets and comfortable seats. With pricing starting at 91 USD for all three days, it’s the best deal of the weekend.
Foldable Chair or Blanket
Depending on your ticket, you may want to consider bringing a portable chair. General Admission is a great ticket and though it does not come with an assigned seat, the views are some you cannot find in any grandstand. A foldable chair (with a strap to make transportation easy) is a small investment you will not regret. I would recommend some sort of small blanket to everyone attending, if you are like me and do not want to miss viewing some racing from turn one, a blanket can easily fold into your bag for when you go to the hill.
A Paper Map, the Circuit of the America App, and a Portable Charger
When you get there will be staff walking around with free paper maps, take one! COTA is massive, and the signal is not always the strongest; a paper map can be the difference between you walking to turn one for the race start vs turn 15. Download the App for the race now and familiarize yourself with it before you get there. A charged portable charger, if you are anything like me, you will have one thousand photos and will be making facetime calls to your dad back home so he too can share in the sounds of the cars. Before you know it, your phone’s battery has depleted, and the race has not even started.
Lastly, have fun and meet new people. Nothing compares to seeing the cars in person, so enjoy it and stay hydrated! As promised, if you have read this far, the best bathrooms in general admission are located behind the amphitheater; they are air-conditioned, and more importantly, not porta-potties.
