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Tweet From the Paddock at USGP!

A short message from Timo Glock of Marussia F1 Team:

Social Media Driver Contest from The Austin Grand Prix on Vimeo.

 

There's still time for you to enter the "Social Media Driver" Contest for Marussia F1 Team, whereby you can attend the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas this Novemebr 16-18! The contest closes at 10:59PM CST on October 10, 2012 (tomorrow!). Just visit:

www.MF1Team.Monster.com

Marussia F1 Team Drivers Timo Glock and Charles Pic race at the 2012 Italian GP

Capturing Your Best Photos At COTA

Monza Circuit, 2010, By Jamey Price - © Jamey Price

The following is special guest editorial by Jamey Price, a professional motorsports photojournalist and avid Formula 1 fan. Jamey has photographed NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, and other sports car series; for more of his stunning images, visit www.JameyPricePhoto.com.

// No More Limits

COTA's initial announcement of the limitation on camera lens length sent the whole world up-in-arms.  Anyone who has been to any car race, knows that everyone and their mother is carrying a camera, some of them far larger and more impressive than the equipment carried by the professional photographers there doing their job.  

Thankfully, COTA retracted their limitations and declared lenses of any length acceptable for the November USGP. Even though these limits are removed, there's little guarantee you're going to get great results from your camera.  So before you carry in that giant 20 inch lens you've just bought to photograph rare and elusive wildlife, we should talk tactics to help you get the best images you can.  Chances are the 70-300mm f4-5.6 or the 70-200mm f2.8 tele-zoom you already own is more than sufficient so let's explore how to use what you have to it's absolute maximum potential. 

Two Weeks Notice

Charles Pic and Pit Crew at the Spanish Grand Prix

Two weeks remain for you to enter the Marussia F1 Team and Monster.com Social Media Driver contest.

Gain behind the scenes access, tickets, interview team members, shoot photos and videos and more with Marussia F1 Team at the US Grand Prix in Austin this November!

Check out this video and then click HERE to read how you can attend the USGP as "Social Media Driver"

Fan Feature: Attend the USGP as "Social Media Driver"

Marissia F1 Team Driver Timo Glock - Image courtesy of Marussia F1 Team, Monster.com and Monster Cool Jobs

// Marussia + Monster = Media Dream Job

Have you been wanting to get closer to the F1 action? Well, then October 26, 2012 could be your lucky day. 

The Marussia F1 Team has launched an amazing contest with their partner, Monster.com, where you can compete to win the coveted role of "Social Media Driver." What does a Social Media Driver do, you ask? Oh you know, hang out with the Marissia F1 Team in Austin during the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, conduct a few interviews, capture on track photography, and access exclusive off-track events. You know, no biggie.

Except that it IS. A. BIG. DEAL! 

Share with the world (literally) what you see from on the ground in Austin. Cheer on Marussia F1 Team Drivers Timo Glock and Charles Pic from a whole new angle, like the Marussia F1 garage. See what it takes for Team Principal John Booth to orchestrate an F1 Team and all the science, technology and wizardry that goes along with it. (Not sure if he prefers the title of "Wizard" just yet, but some call him "Sheffield Steel"...)

// How to Enter

The Marussia F1 Team is looking for a US Resident with social media savvy so it should be no surprise that you need to show off your skills in order to enter:

  1. Complete the entry form by clicking on this link.
  2. Then, create one or more of the following Submissions to describe your views on why you should be selected as a Marussia F1 Tem Social Media Driver:
  • An original video
  • An original essay on your personal blog
  • An original essay on your personal website
  • An original and unique tweet

      3.  Log onto your Twitter account and post your Submission(s), or a link to your Submission(s), on Twitter using the hashtag #SMDriver

// Follow the Rules

Of course there are official contest rules that we know you will all read in their entirety as any prudent contest applicant would, but here's a quick run down of the highlights:

  • Contest started at 12:01 PM EST on 9/5/12
  • Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on 10/10/12 - about 33 days from now so get moving!
  • Must be legally and physically residing in one of the 50 United States
  • Must be 18 years or older at time of entry (or obtain parent/guardian approval)
  • Contest Entrants must be prepared to travel and participate in a trip to the USGP in Austin, Texas November 16-18, 2012 if they are selected as the Winner
  • Contest Entrants must use COMPLETELY ORIGINAL CONTENT! This means you can't pull photos, videos, text, music, captions or other data from other sources and use it as your own (cause that's pretty lame, anyway)

// Prizes

1 Grand Prize Winner will receive all this:

  • Trip for Winner and a Guest to Austin, Texas for the USGP scheduled for November 16-18, 2012
  • Round trip coach class airfare, or ground transportation if the Winner lives within 100 miles of Austin
  • $1,050.00 for "Incidentals" (that's a lot of tacos, folks!)
  • 2 nights hotel stay for Winner and Guest to sleep (if you find time for that)
  • The Winner gets to shadow a Marussia F1 PR Team member for 1 day - this includes on and off track photo and video opps and ability to interview and interact with the fans
  • 2 Grandstand tickets for Saturday and Sunday of race weekend (includes shuttle transportation to and from the race, so leave your jet packs at home)
  • 1 Marussia F1 Team Garage tour for Winner's Guest
  • And they even thought ahead with an additional $1,974.00 check to offset taxes for the Grand Prize! (That's pretty thoughtful)

In addition to the Grand Prize Winner, 100 First Place Prizes will be rewarded with a Marussia F1 Team Bag!

// Stand Out

We're excited to participate as a Judge in this amazing Social Media Driver Contest and here's what we're looking for:

  • Originality/creativity
  • Ability to show social media savviness
  • Passion for the Marussia F1 Team

Go enter NOW at the Marussia F1 Team and Monster Cool Jobs website, where they also have Team video and photos for you as well as additional Marussia F1 Team jobs!

Fan Feature: A Native Austinites Guide to Making the Most of Your USGP Vacation

The Texas State Capitol building on Congress Ave in Downtown Austin, Texas

The following is a special feature from Austin native and long time F1 fan, Dale Daugherty. Dale was the winner of last week's Fan Feature and has offered to share his suggestions to visitors of Austin for the 2012 Formula 1 USGP. 

// Formula Fun 

Welcome, Formula One fan, to the greatest city in the United States!

Think of me as your friendly, local tour guide. If you find me to be a bit enthusiastic, it’s because I REALLY love my home town… and I am certainly very excited for the 2012 United States Grand Prix! I was born here in 1984, and I have witnessed our evolution from a small Texas city, to a bustling metropolis that constantly finds itself on the nations “Top Ten” lists.

Fan Feature: 10 Important Numbers in F1

The following is a special feature from Austin F1 fan, Kerri Olsen. In addition to being the Co-Founder of this site, www.TheAustinGrandPrix.com, Kerri is also an F1 Fan. Here, she shares how she has gotten "up to speed."

Ferrari's "Formula 1 Alphabet" is a great resource for new F1 pupils or those who want to brush up on their lingo. We'll share our own version next month. I thought of a quick 10 facts that new F1 fans need to know:

// 1

P1: this is the lead position to start the race from. In race qualifying on the Saturday of a grand prix weekend, the driver that sets the best time is qualified to start in 1st position - or P1 - on race day. 

// 2

2 Winners: Each F1 season, there are actually two World Champions determined: a Constructor (the team) and a Driver. Constructors and Drivers each receive points based on their finishing of each race. There are also two drivers per team, which affect the point accrual based on race finishes.

// 3

3-Day Weekend: Grand Prix weekend typically runs three days, Friday through Sunday, with practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, qualifying also on Saturday, and the Grand Prix race on Sunday. The exception is Monaco, where practice runs on Thursday in lieu of Friday, for a "day of rest."

// 4

4 tyres per car: Tyres is the British spelling and since this sport originated in Europe, I will refer to them as tyres. Tyre strategy is a topic we will examine more in the future.

// 5

5 G's: F1 cars race on track with many turns. In these turns, they can exceed 5 g-forces of "lateral acceleration" (horizontal force) through the corners. By comparison, an astronaut being launched into space experiences about 3 g-forces.

// 6

6 continents: The F1 race series travels to six continents.

// 7

7 time World-Champion Michael Schumacher: It's the most identified racing driver that we have come across when speaking with Americans about Formula 1. And, Ladies and Gentlemen, he will be behind the wheel of a Mercedes AMG Petronas car come November.

// 8

8 cylinders: The cars are powered by V8 engines, similar to a Corvette. Due to the evolving rules, or "Formula" that the sport must adhere to each season, engines have included types from V12 to I-4, and more, over the past 60 years.

// 9

9 months: typical F1 season runs from March through November.

// 10

10 finishers get points: points are awarded to drivers and teams exclusively on where they finish in a race. The winner receives 25 points, the second place finisher 18 points, with 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points for positions 3 through 10.

// Contest Winner

Congratulations to Dale Daugherty! His F1 tip was chosen by Jenny Tynes as the best one last week and he will receive an Alexander Rossi autographed COME AND RACE IT sticker! Dale offers this suggestion for Austin visitors:

Be sure to take advantage of pedicabs in downtown Austin. They are everywhere, and it is a great way to get around the city. Trust me, you are going to appreciate this when you are cruising the late night 6th Street scene!

Click here for Ground Transportation information in Austin.

// Contest Alert

Leave us your helpful F1 tip in the comments of this article in order to be entered into our contest. Dale will choose another winning F1 tip and you will receive a COME AND RACE IT sticker autographed by Alexander Rossi!

Contest closes at 12:00PM (Noon) CDT on Thursday, August 30, 2012. Winner will be announced in the August 31, 2012 edition of "Fan Feature" here on this website.

Message Contest@TheAustinGrandPrix.com if you have questions.