AUSTIN, Texas — The engines will roar this weekend at Circuit Of The Americas for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, with hundreds of thousands of people.
On Thursday, fans downtown started trickling in from around the country and the world. Managers at restaurants like Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ downtown are also really excited.
“You can see we already taken off right out the gates. It’s nice good for the city, and definitely good for us,” said Mathew Carneiro.
They’re expecting lines out the door throughout the weekend. Experts said it will bring big dollars to the local economy over the next few days.
“Somewhere close to a billion … that’s going to be felt across the state’s economy,” Matt Patton with Angelou Economics said. “If you’re going to fly in, buy food. go out for dinner, perhaps stay at a hotel … Airbnb, you’re going to rent a car,” Patton said.
According to Visit Austin, hotels were 87% full during the grand prix last year, and that number is expected to be even higher this year.
“It’s definitely a track that can throw some curveballs as a spectator,” said F1 fan Justin Tribula. “You’re around people that have enthusiasm … see that grittiness.”