AUSTIN SPEED SHOP
“Like a fine plate of barbeque, bear down on the meat and ease off the potato salad”
This week, I’ve been in Austin enjoying a community of energetic, friendly and downright hospitable folks who’ve all been very supportive and enthusiastic of the upcoming race next year. While here, I’ve been tweeting a bit from various spots in town, and meeting many whose businesses and livelihoods are due to experience an uptick next November when the race comes to town.
My first visit was with American Stateman Internet Editor Dave Doolittle, and it was great to get such a friendly welcome my first night in town. Dave’s a local who, like many here, have watched Austin grow over the decades and looks forward to what’s coming next year. He’s also an avid F1 fan who happens to have had the story of a lifetime land right in his backyard – lucky guy! His dad’s been a big F1 fan also, and had the foresight to co-found AtlasF1 back in the late 90’s – so F1’s certainly in the family. Follow Dave’s coverage as he tweets news and events around town as they unfold, you can also check out his coverage on the Statesman online.
A lunchtime crowd waits outside Franklin BBQ
The first full day in town it was time to get down to business, so Franklin BBQ was where I headed. A serious lunch spot has a serious wait, so after 30 minutes in line, I had a chance to sample their delicious ribs and rub elbows with the local crowd. Funny how long that wait sounds writing it down now, but here in Austin, folks are easy to strike up a chat, even in the 90-degree heat outside.
Ribs are taken seriously . . . this is Texas!
That evening, I met up with San Francisco F1 Group alum Alex Wong, a recent transplant from the city by the Bay, and an amazing guy who’s been behind the scenes as Austin gets ready to go big next year in F1. We met up with some friends at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar on 6th – and found more music and energy than most cities this size serve up in a single night. A fantastic evening out, highly recommended.
Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar on 6th – a must see
I’ve got a few days left in town, and just yesterday, Alex and I made it out to the track to meet with our friend Oliver, a civil engineer from Tilke who offered to show us around the circuit. I was ready with camera in hand, so we ventured out of town and took in the sights while imagining the sounds from America’s first purpose-built F1 track in decades . . .
