COTA today issued guidance for fans attending the forthcoming US GP, and while much of it makes sense (or is just plain funny), restrictions on photographic equipment may come as a surprise to many.
Here for your interest is exactly what the list says:
“The following items will not be permitted inside the gates of the circuit. In addition to items specifically listed here, other items that may be deemed to present a potential hindrance or threat may also be prohibited.
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Animals (exception for certified service animals)
- Bags or parcels larger than 12X12X20 inches
- Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, skates, segways, golf carts or other unauthorized means of transportation
- Coolers, thermoses or ice chests
- Distribution of unauthorized promotional or commercial material
- Food and Beverage (Note: sealed, individual, plastic bottles of water are allowed)
- Fireworks, explosives or other incendiary devices
- Glass or metal containers of any style
- Illegal substances
- Items that may be deemed a safety hazard or annoyance to participants or guests (balls, Frisbees, balloons, projectiles, horns, radios, bells, whistles, musical instruments, laser pointers, etc.)
- Large, golf-type umbrellas
- Non-collapsible chairs
- Tents or canopies
- Video cameras, still cameras with lenses exceeding 10 inches in length or detachable lenses of any kind, audio recording devices and tripods; no video recording will be allowed
- Weapons of any kind, including guns, knives, pepper spray, handcuffs, nightsticks or other items
The following items will be permitted inside the circuit gates.
- Blankets
- Umbrellas (small, hand-held style)
- Baby strollers
- Portable, collapsible chairs
- Personal camera equipment (e.g. digital cameras, point-and-click digital cameras or film cameras)
- Binoculars
“All bags, purses, backpacks and persons are subject to screening by security personnel. Fans entering Circuit of The Americas should prepare accordingly.
“Smoking will only be allowed in authorized areas. All security measures are subject to change without notice.
“Ticketholders should be aware that there are no provisions for returning banned items to them when such items are left at the race entrances. Patrons are encouraged to leave all banned items at home or in their vehicles before entering the venue or boarding any of the complimentary shuttle buses transporting ticketholders to Circuit of The Americas.
“Individuals who deliberately attempt to bring banned items through security checkpoints are subject to removal from the facility.”
So now you know…
Adam Cooper F1 
America – land of the free. Even though I live close by I would rather travel to Montreal or a European race before going to jail, I mean Austin.
So what? Abu Dhabi and Montreal (where I’ve attended) have similar restrictions.
Montreal does not.
That simply is not true. I can not speak for Abu Dhabi, but Montreal is NOT similar. Nor, from my personal experience, have been Imola, Monza, Spa, nor Indianapolis.
I’d like to see them enforce the no camera with detachable lenses or lens exceeding 10 inches to those who pay and view in the Allsport corporate hospitality suites in the Paddock Club.
Hmm, weird part about cameras: people should have the right to take pics for their own pleasure, but F1 amateur video footage is pretty useless, I hafta say. They can allow thousands of people with digital video cameras and the result will be some kind of lousy video on YouTube with like 50 views.
Tripads? I’ve one that fits in my pocket! I don’t get the desire of F1’s bigwigs to ban fans from everything. I can feel it’s yet another rip-off. They’ll be selling bottles of water at astronomical prices, for sure, you know.
By ze vei, since TATA took over formula1.com, it’s working in an abnormal way. Photos are impossible to view because they obviously use some kind of weird compression rates from full size images. Colours are all crazy and it’s just not a fun experience despite great (original) pics by Sutton boys. You want to enjoy a nice piccie, sort of lick it, touch it, play with it – appreciate the ambience, like you can do with Cahier or D. Heath on their own websites. This TATA thing is a piñata. Obviously.
so, nobody can bring their (video-camera-enabled) smartphone in?
Hey, my “point and click” Canon SX20 shoots video. Uh-Oh, I see a prison sentence in my near future…
So basically, no mobile phones then? Uh-huh…
Jodum5…that is not true about Montreal, I have been going there every year since 2000 with 25 of my friends and we show up with a huge cooler on wheels carrying 100 beers and other multiple coolers carrying beverages, big telephoto lens cameras, food, everything, etc., etc.
Sounds just like Australia motor racing tracks as well.
I have found the easiest way to circumvent that rule, is not to go.
I don’t miss it, and watch it all on TV..No cost, nice lounge chair…perfect:-)
no food?
So, somebody answer me this question: Is perhaps these strict rules about video and picture taking part of Bernie’s complete hold on anything media related in Formula One and that CoTA really has their hands tied?
CoTA has updated so that less than 10″ detacable lenses are allowed.
Yes that is what its about. Most of this is nothing new, I’ve seen similar restrictions at other sporting events, and even at the local dirt track. F-1 guards its images pretty tightly, and given how much the video feed is costing FOM’s customers they don’t want anyone doing any bootleg pictures or video. But… the tracks also benefit from certain restrictions, mostly to steer you toward concessions. Most of this list makes complete sense.
Although there maybe some restrictions on this list that make sense and are consistent across the entire Grand Prix schedule, my experience does not support your implication that this is from FOM. I’ve been to a dozen F1 Grands Prix and have never witnessed anything remotely similar, ever.
Thanks Stone.
Adam I was hoping to hear from you as well since you’re in the media. I’m having a heated discussion with the Friends of Formula One Austin Texas FB guys and just wanted to find some facts. I found a few other venues have simular restrictions on camera equipment
No. This COTA. You won’t see types of restriction at other F1 events. Take a look at the comments on the COTA FB from people who have been to F1 races all over the world. I’ve been to Montreal the past 10 years. Nothing like this.
How about this Don.
http://www.hockenheimring.net/en/spectator-rules
Click to access 2013_General_TnC.pdf
and one more that escapes me from Melbourne.
We may not like it, but there seems to be something in place that just might tie the hands of CoTA. Perhaps just perhaps we all don’t know everything and fly off the handle when we see something that isn’t what we think.
Steve, no one is “flying off the handle.” You are discrediting our relevant question which, as I’ve said, becomes complex given the fact most of us are being shuttled in and out of the circuit. Speaking as one with actual experience shooting at F1 Grands Prix and who is spending a rather large sum of money to attend the race in Austin, I will not return if my experience this year is not good. It is simply too easy to attend F1 Grands Prix in Montreal, Europe, etc.
Excuse my French, but what a volte-face for the US.
They used to be so welcoming, but since Bush’s “War on Tourism”, it’s become one of the least popular destinations for discerning travellers.
I notice 9 inch fixed lens cameras are allowed, so the Jackal will be busy getting his assassin’s peg-leg/automatic camera modified.
I find nothing irregular about these restrictions. The ban on lenses larger than 10 inches is to protect spectators. Imagine some guy behind you with a 15-inch lens panning back and forth — whack! And of course you can bring your smart phone. The ban is on video cameras. Remember those? It is fairly common here in the USA to not allow food and beverage to be brought in to a venue. How many of you folks complaining about the restrictions are actually going? (No liars, please.) If you are not attending, you got no reason to complain … other than you’ve got no life.
It’s fair to say that photographers working with extreme telephoto lenses are not sitting on their bums in the bleacher when shooting. No one’s getting whacked in the head at the other 19 world championship rounds. Photographers who invest that sort of money into their hobby actually get out along the circuit searching for vantage point. Yes, some restrictions are fair and should be expected . . . the alcohol issue could be due to local ordinance, but this list reads more like it was taken from a focus group on “staging public events for maximum profit” than from standard motor sport experience where people commonly make their day at the circuit a “tail gait” sort of experience.
gate . . . LOL