Houston GP 2007

[Wheel-Nut]

There is a write up in the Chronicle today. It doesn't really say anything but here you go.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/4456306.html

[KLang]

Beach volleyball returns. :thumbup: ;)

Renewed our tickets a month or two ago. Haven't decided if we are going to get a room in town again, have to see what the schedule looks like. Will be a busy month with Vegas two weeks prior.

[Wheel-Nut]

I need to renew my tickets. Hope I didn't wait too long.

[KLang]

I need to renew my tickets. Hope I didn't wait too long.

You should probably give them a call. Looks (http://www.grandprixofhouston.com/tickets_info.html) like tickets are on sale.

[Turn7]

You should probably give them a call. Looks (http://www.grandprixofhouston.com/tickets_info.html) like tickets are on sale.

The stand I was in last year went away.

[pchall]

I wonder what the "improvements" to the track will be? Fix the last minute chicane? Grind the pavement supersmooth so Bourdais won't whine?

[NismoZ]

You ARE relentless;) ...the place was WAAAY too bumpy and I think they ALL whined. I was wondering about the chicane and turn 1 as well. Is that big tent thing there again? Hope that area can be improved. I wish Houston and Phoenix could accomplish what Las Vegas has just finished...a total repaving of the track surface with complete city backing. Sweet.

[Wheel-Nut]

What stand were you in T7? I was able to still get my seats from last year when I ordered last week.

Pete - the chicane is now a permanent part of the track, it's no longer last minute. . . .;)

I do hope they improve the surface of the track but unlike Lost Wages and Phoenix Reliant Park is not owned by the city. We have the rodeo kicking off in February and it runs into March so I don't expect any work to begin before that is over.

Could the track be repaved before the race in the amount of time left, about 1 month?

[KLang]

I thought I read somewhere a couple months ago that they were already smoothing out the track surface when they could get access to the facility. 'Laser grinding' or something like that.

[Steve99]

If you go to http://www.grandprixofhouston.com/event_info.html you can see the modified layout of the track, including changes in the chicane area.

[Turn7]

What stand were you in T7?

I think it was Grandstand 6. I put a yellow and red box where I see that there were seats last year and not there this year. There maybe others but, those are the ones that stand out in my mind.

It appears that they have moved the stand to the inside of the track which doesn't seem to give you as good of a sight line. Being on the outside of the track allowed you to see the big jumbotron where stand 6 is located now of the pass set up in turn6 and then see them defend the overtake through turn 7 and try to retake going in to the turn 8 corner. It was a really great vantage point that has been ruined in my opinion.

Turn7 isn't a 90, its rounded off and wideassed open allowing them to keep a nose tucked under a car to either complete a pass approaching 8.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/Turn7/hgpmod.jpg

[Wheel-Nut]

It looks like they added GS 2 and GS 3 (2006 GS2) moved to the inside of the track.

Turn 4 now has the Fiesta GS. GS 4 in the long back curve now has "Skyview" suites added.

GS 5 is on the outside where last year there was a GS on the inside at this location.

Here is T7.

http://www.grandprixofhouston.com/gallery/big/Brad_Bourdais57.jpg

[Turn7]

That's about the view I had last year as well. Sweet place to watch the race.

I don't recall a GS to the inside of T6 but, I do know that there was one right where stand 5 is this year. That is also a good stand if you get to the far left hand side facing the track so that you can see the cars coming around the dome. Most passing occurs at the entry of that corner.

[Wheel-Nut]

I think you are right about T6. I seem to remember now the GS was outside but more in the apex of the corner.

[Wheel-Nut]

I wonder what the "improvements" to the track will be? Fix the last minute chicane? Grind the pavement supersmooth so Bourdais won't whine?

I was at Reliant Park this past weekend trying to do my best "Bubba" impersonation - Monster Trucks with my son. Anyway, I noticed they have done quite a bit of grinding on the long curved section of the track.

[CShooter]

I can't wait. Have not gotten tickets yet but I will be there.:thumbup: