My excitement to attend the United States Grand Prix (USGP) at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, was high. But, as a wheelchair user, I found navigating the venue posed several challenges. Here’s a breakdown of my Friday experience and the accessibility hurdles I encountered.
Getting to COTA and Parking
We started our journey with a three-hour drive to Austin, where the excitement of race weekend was matched by the heavy traffic heading toward COTA. Once we arrived, finding ADA parking was a bit of a challenge as it was already full, but thankfully, we managed to get a spot with enough space for me to get out of the van comfortably.
Entering COTA and Moving Around
The walk from parking to COTA was pretty straightforward, mostly because there were fewer people early in the day. Once inside, the Grand Plaza was one of the more accessible areas—mainly paved with concrete, making it easy to move around in a wheelchair.
Getting to Our Seats at Turn 9
The journey to our seats at Turn 9 was far from straightforward. We took an ADA shuttle, but it only dropped us off at Turn 6, meaning we still had a bit of a walk to reach Turn 9. This route was challenging, as the paths around the track were mostly dirt, gravel, and sand, making it difficult for wheelchair users to navigate.
The View and Staff Assistance
Once we finally got to our seats, the view was fantastic, and the staff was very helpful as we found our way there. However, due to the challenging terrain and time it took to reach our seats, we missed both Free Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying.
Leaving and the ADA Tram Situation
When it was time to leave, we faced more accessibility issues. We walked over to Turn 11, where we waited for a tram to take us back to the main plaza. Unfortunately, ADA trams only allow one companion to ride along, so my brother and mom had to take a separate tram and ended up getting dropped off in a different location. They got lost and needed to ask for help to find their way.
Meanwhile, my dad and I waited for about an hour before an ADA tram finally picked us up. After a long day, this wait was exhausting and took a toll on our overall experience.
Final Thoughts: Accessibility Needs Improvement
Overall, I’d rate my first day at COTA a 2 out of 5 due to the accessibility challenges. From difficult terrain to limited ADA tram options, there were several areas where improvements could make the venue more accessible and enjoyable for all fans.
I hope COTA considers these points in the future to make the race experience smoother for everyone. For now, if you’re a wheelchair user planning to visit, be prepared for some challenges and plan accordingly for your best experience.
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