The Lone Star Le Mans comes to COTA tomorrow, beginning with practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday afternoon.
This race is a relatively recent addition to the World Endurance Championship (WEC) schedule, with the first running of the race on September 22nd 2013, just less than a year after Circuit Of The Americas was completed.
While I’ve not been to a WEC race before, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity with it happening right in my backyard. I was able to pick up a General Access (GA) Weekend Pass for just $79, the Paddock Pass for $100, and parking for $55.
In general, WEC at COTA is also quite spectator friendly compared to other major races. Unlike during other races that come through COTA like NASCAR and F1, the general access pass lets you go onto any grandstand around the track as well as the grass spectator areas. This alone makes this race one of the best bang for buck motorsport events you can attend at COTA, or even in central Texas.
It’s also very friendly for photographers, with no listed restrictions on camera equipment and lenses beyond prohibiting tripods and monopods, which may discourage telephoto shooters, but won’t stop anyone who’s determined. I myself am going to be out there for the weekend with a rented supertelephoto, taking full advantage of the relaxed media regulations.
While we’re talking about photography, if you’re ever out at COTA with a camera, I strongly recommend getting up to the top of the tower. Few race tracks offer the public access to such an impressive view. During NASCAR, tickets were $20, and I expect it will be similar for Lone Star Le Mans. If you’re just spectating the race, the view may or may not be worth it for you, but for even a casual photographer, the access is money well spent.
I’m going to be out at COTA for the entire weekend, from gates opening each morning until they kick me out Sunday night.
