Attending the 2013 Australian GP

[gvsnraju85]

Hi Guy, I am going to the 2013 Australian GP. This would be my 1st Live GP and my first Visit to Australia.

I have got general Admission Tickets for the GP.

I would appreciate if someone could advise me on things that I could do while I am there for the weekend, also stuff like where to stay, by what time to reach the event in the morning to get as close to the race track as possible and any other such useful info.
Hoping for a Ferrari win to make my 1st Live GP a truly special event.......Forza Ferrari

[theforce]

Go early, like 8am as there are always other race events as well and just before the F1 is the V8 Supercars and also plenty of classic cars on display.

5104

You can see the General Admin sections here. Turn 10 and 11 are great or Turn 2 if you want to see some first lap crashes:-D Great place right in the city and hopefully the weather will be great as always. Looking forward and Enjoy, once you go live you'll love it even more.

[Cozza]

Head down to Lygon Street after the race on Sunday. Its the Italian suburb so always allot of Ferrari fans. I'll probably head down there after the race for some drinks.

Getting to the grand prix is pretty easy. Take the trams if your in the CBD. If your out of the way in the suburbs. Take a train to Southern Cross Stations or Flinders Street. There's normally trams running from them to Albert Park and there free.
And like theForce said. Get there early. There's other races. V8 Supercars are pretty sweet and normally on just before the F1. Probably have the Porche Carrera Cup aswell.

I'll be there. I goto Melbourne every year.

[dfunk257]

Hi gvsnraju85

I go every few years, ill be going this year.
Unfortunately having a general admission pass doesnt get you close to the pit straight but you can still see the cars at some good spots and will have plenty to do and see around the track. I normally arrive half hour before the gate opens and then run to where the drivers arrive at the F1 paddock entrance and sign autographs. This is the best spot to get autographs but unfortunately this is not a general admission area. If you want to get autographs your best chance would be to wait outside the hotel until the drivers come out to leave. But this means you will get to the track late. Up to you. Drivers always stay at the Crown towers, near the Crown Casino. There is also the autograph sessions on the Thursday at the track but good luck, because the lines are very long and you will be lucky to get the driver you want to see.
As Cozza said, Lygon st is definately the end of the day hang out. Me and my group of Ferrari friends normally go to Cafe Coretto every night and stay until late cause sometimes some of the Ferrari mechanics go there to eat.
I dont know about you but i love photography and i shoot from multi spots around the track. I have a grandstand pass but i dont normally sit on my grandstand until Qualy and Race.
The practice sessions for me are dedicated to taking as many photos as i can of the cars.
The best general admission spots in my view are turn 2, turn 6, turns 9-10 on the hill, turns 11-12 and turn 15. For the race i would watch it from either turn 2 or the hill at 9-10 but you have to get there early to get a good spot.
Here is a pdf link to the circuit map
http://www.grandprix.com.au/2013/docs/circuitmap/Circuit-Map-2013.pdf

If you want i can private message you my number and we can meet up on the Friday and walk around the track together. If not im sure you will have a great time.

Here are my photos from 2011
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29982695@N03/sets/72157626273857711/

FORZA FERRARI!

Dom.

[gvsnraju85]

thank you all sooooo much for your reply. I really appreciate you guys taking time out to help me :-D

dfunk257 (http://www.thescuderia.net/forums/member.php/4589-dfunk257) ...i would love to catchup....plz do pm your number...i will be arriving to OZ on friday...im flying in from NZ and yes I am looking forward to taking lots of pics.
Cozza: Thanks for informing me about the routes and the trams.

I really appreciate it. I will be in touch more with you guys as the even draws closer.

[dfunk257]

Will you be at the track in time for practise sessions on friday?

[EL_NANDO]

I went last year and was in the Fangio grandstand for the 4 days about 30 metres in front of the start line, amazing value for $450 AUD or whatever the ticket cost. If you have a Thursday ticket, you can get above the pit lane on that day and get some good photos.

My other advice, bring a big sun hat, as sometimes you'll be watching for say 2-3 hours with the sun out and get some serious sunburn. My knees got burnt badly on day 1 last year, the next 3 days were really painful!

Also, on Thursday if you want to get driver autographs, you will need to get there VERY, VERY early if you want the Ferrari drivers. I queued in the Ferrari line for 90 minutes last year (starting about 75 mins before the autograph session started), got to within 10 people from the front, then the drivers left. I got a pre signed Alonso postcard, but that was all.

Have fun!

[gvsnraju85]

Will you be at the track in time for practise sessions on friday?

Yes i will be there in time for the 2nd practice ......i could not take the early morning flight due to some other commitments.

Are there any cheap accomodations in the vicinity of the track so that i can cut down on travelling time?

[dfunk257]

Cool. We can meet up b4 P2.
The internet is the best way 2 find a place.
Ill send you my phone number

[EL_NANDO]

Yes i will be there in time for the 2nd practice ......i could not take the early morning flight due to some other commitments.

Are there any cheap accomodations in the vicinity of the track so that i can cut down on travelling time?

Cheap as in hostel? There are loads of these in the St.Kilda area near the track. There is one called Habitat HQ, must be about 20 mins walk from the track that is around $190 p/w which is pretty nice, free breakfast and internet, and pretty clean! Do not stay whatever you do stay at the coffee palace or the oslo!

[gvsnraju85]

Cheap as in hostel? There are loads of these in the St.Kilda area near the track. There is one called Habitat HQ, must be about 20 mins walk from the track that is around $190 p/w which is pretty nice, free breakfast and internet, and pretty clean! Do not stay whatever you do stay at the coffee palace or the oslo!

Thanks for that EL_NANDO. Just to make sure i understand you, u mean to say that i should not stay at the hostel?

I am searching for places like backpackers etc to stay.

Nyways i am trying to sort out my Aussie Visa and then i will book an accommodation.

Thanks a lot guys for your help :thumb

[EL_NANDO]

Thanks for that EL_NANDO. Just to make sure i understand you, u mean to say that i should not stay at the hostel?

I am searching for places like backpackers etc to stay.

Nyways i am trying to sort out my Aussie Visa and then i will book an accommodation.

Thanks a lot guys for your help :thumb

I'm saying there are some very nice backpackers in Melbourne near to the track for around $180 for the week, I stayed at this one for a month or so before when I lived in Melbourne which was awesome!

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g255360-d609766-Reviews-Habitat_HQ-St_Kilda_Port_Phillip_Greater_Melbourne_Victoria.h tml

But I also stayed at this one... which let's just say wasn't so good!

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g255360-d286305-Reviews-Coffee_Palace_Backpackers-St_Kilda_Port_Phillip_Greater_Melbourne_Victoria.h tml

Just make sure you look up all the reviews on tripadvisor before you book anything :-)