Formula 1 at COTA: Day 3 - Racing, Adventures, and a Night Under the Stars

Third day camping at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin was finally here, and it was action-packed! After two days of setting up camp and settling in, this was the day I’d been waiting for: the first day of races, and my wife Kristen was joining me for the fun.

Kristen arrived bright and early, just after putting the kids on the bus for school. Our good friend Chris generously agreed to handle our four kids for the night so Kristen and I could enjoy a rare day (and night) to ourselves. Gates opened at 8:30 am, and we hit the ground running.

Morning Practice and Qualifying Rounds

With the first United States Grand Prix practice session underway, we made our way around the track to watch the action from different viewpoints. Our first stop was right by the starting line, the thrill of engines roaring up close really set the tone for the day! Next up, we watched the Porsche series and the Sprint Race qualifiers—it was a full-on immersion into the sights and sounds of race day at COTA. Even if Kristen was stung on the stomach by a yellow jacket at our first stop.

Lunch Break and Trackside Exploration

We grabbed some lunch and, naturally, I snapped a photo of Kristen enjoying her meal (isn't she a cutie?). She pretended to be annoyed, but I think she secretly loves it! I mean.... she said she wanted me to take more pictures!

After lunch, we continued our trackside tour, watching the Grand Prix practice from various angles. I heard Gordan Ramsey was around, Kristen was bummed we didn't see him, she's a big fan. Every spot offered something different: from tight turns to long straights where you could see the cars hitting top speeds. It was amazing to witness the power of these machines up close.

Up the Tower for a Bird’s Eye View

The highlight of the afternoon was heading up to the massive tower (251 feet at it's highest point) that overlooks the track. The adrenaline rush from standing on a section of the floor 22 stories up with a clear floor and view all the way down to the track was unreal. We were able to watch Porsche qualifying from up there, and the panoramic views were unlike anything else, giving us a full scope of just how intense and huge the COTA track really is.

A Quick Stop at the LEGO McLaren Booth

After descending from the tower, we wandered over to the LEGO McLaren booth, where you could build a mini McLaren Lego race car to take home. I’m not sure who was more excited—me, a Lego fan, or my wife, a McLaren fan. Plus the kids are going to love this souvenir! If we share....

Evening Campground Life and Power Woes

Back at the campground, we took a stroll to admire the variety of RVs and campers that people had brought out. There’s an unspoken camaraderie among campers here, with everyone sharing tips and tricks. There were even several hardcore offroad overlanding rigs that were letting people look around them. Unfortunately, the overcast day left our solar panel struggling, and we ended up without power. We decided to splurge on a shower pass for the campground facilities, and it was definitely worth it for a hot shower!

Sting Concert, Margaritas, and Sunset Views

The final highlight of the day was the evening concert, headlined by Sting. We found a bar on top of a hill with a perfect view of the stage and treated ourselves to margaritas. The combination of Sting’s legendary music, the warm Austin night, and the buzz of the crowd made for an unforgettable atmosphere.

Wrapping Up a Perfect Day

As the night wound down, we made our way back to our camper, feeling blissfully tired after a busy, memorable day. It was wonderful to snuggle up and enjoy some quiet (and very dark without power) moments together under the Texas sky. Kristen would be heading back home in the morning, so we made the most of every moment.

All in all, Day 3 was filled with thrills, laughs, and even a few unexpected moments, making for a perfect start to the race weekend!