Australian Grand Prix - help for newbie

[Mr Messy]

Hey guys.

I've never been to the F1 grand prix before and want to head to Melbourne for next year's race.

I'd be going with my wife for Sunday only and want to know if you can see plenty of stuff with $99 General Admission tickets or whether a grandstand ticket is a must.

Sunday only grandstand tickets are $199 and are only available in the Schumacher stand on the inside of the final complex near pit entry (cannot see start/finish straight).

We would really appreciate any advice here.

P4C:

[WABIT]

you can see heaps in general admin! they even have massive TV's so you can watch the race, brocky's hill is pretty popular and you see around 180deg around the bend

[Peter Jones]

You can probably see more from General admin as you can move around a bit.

I've been in a box a couple of times and all you see is one corner.

Pete

[16v_kid]

I get the general ticket. I'm always at that back straight/bend. I think they hit 300ks there.

You can see plenty.

[Tim]

It depends on what sort of experience you want to have on the day I reckon. Its nice to have a seat in a grandstand cos you can get a good view at that point of the track.


Myself personally I prefer general admission and spend the day wandering around taking the whole event in. I also tend to prefer going on the saturday as well. There is just more to see. Including the qualifying which is pretty cool if you can park yourself near one of the big screens.

[sir_camel]

Did 4 stand pass last year and already booked for next. We were in Schumacher on race day and it was great. General admin is also pretty cool though. I tghink it's turn 8 or 9 near the Jim Clark stand there is a great hill to sit on for General Admin. Half the fun is walking around the paddock.

[Mr Messy]

Booked plane tickets. Will sort our accom with Accor before choosing whether or not to go grandstand.

Thanks for the help. I was at the Sydney 500 earlier in the month and you can't see much there without grandstand passes. GA sounds alright but its nice to have reserved seats (particularly if Shumi does make a comeback).

[GOLFBALLS]

I'd go GA although i've never been to a melbourne race. My mate goes every year and always get GA.
Remember though, you can still wander around the GA areas if you do get grandstand tix. Well, that was the deal at Spa anyway.

I did get chatting to some Aussies at Spa who said GA in melb is a bit lame because its mostly flat??

Even with a good view of the track, it's always better when you're next to a big screen

[STV4SYT]

I went Grandstand once and it was by far the best time i had there, the sunday gets quite territorial to get the good spots and you have to get there early and be prepared to stayput.

Nothing to stop you from doing grandstand tickets and still walking around the GA section, with a GA ticket a lot of the cool places are restricted (unless you are cheeky).


Now - my preference is to go GA on the saturday and stay home sunday and watch the race on TV

[sir_camel]

Even with a good view of the track, it's always better when you're next to a big screen

I think that's a key point. We had our best view of a screen on race day in Shumi stand for the 2009 race. Made a huge difference with race radio in the ear and the vision on the screen for the 97% of the track you can't see.

[the scotsman]

There are a few good places to sit with G.A tickets, but as has been said, it can get teritorial and you cannot really walk around and still get a good spot. The first few years my wife and I bought G.A tickets and would walk around on the friday bits of saturday but sunday morning you get your posie and you dont move! Always buy grandstand tickets now, Brabham stand, one of the best seats in the house, and you can watch the podium from the straight after the race.
The place I would recomend to sit on the race day would either be on the hill behind turns 9/10 or on the inside of the track just after turn 5.
If your partner is not that intersted in the racing having a seat will make it more plesant, as no one will be blocking the views and stealing your space, and allow them to be able to even come in late and still find you in the crowds!

[static1800]

I've been meaning to come down to this for years and my F1 interest has spiked to an all time high so this year is the time!

4 day G/A pass is $185 which looks like a good deal. What are the days leading upto it like? I wouldn't bother coming Thursday, is it just practice that runs on Friday?

Saturday is Qualy and some of the support races?

You Melbourne guys normally go? reckon I might drive down for it, see if the mk1 can make it to Melbourne this time

[Rocket36]

Personally, I enjoy the 3 and a half day lead up more than the actual race!

Grandstand is the way to go though...