zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Racing
/
Rain Delays Aren't A Downer For Some Fans, At Least
Rain Delays Aren't A Downer For Some Fans, At Least-October 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:11:37

The United States Grand Prix is wet. And windy. Like, soak-through-my-clothing wet and turn-my-umbrella-inside-out windy.

Upon the Formula One activity at Circuit of the Americas thrown way off schedule on Saturday, it dawned on me — what are some of the best ways motorsports fans wait out rain delays? I’ve seen my fair share of them, but my standard policy is to huddle under some sort of coverage and do a “please let us get this race in today” dance (or maybe I’m just awkwardly moving to dodge the rain. Who knows).

In the midst of this continual downpour over COTA, we look to some of the most legendary rain-delay stakeouts for assistance (not surprisingly, a lot of the good ones come from the series infamous for its rain delays — NASCAR). And we also want to know from you — do you have any rain-delay stories? Any good ways to pass the time?

If there ever was a perfect caption for this picture, I believe it is the one above. This rain-delay gem comes from a NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 weekend in North Carolina back in 2009, when the start of the race got delayed by weather. It doesn’t look like an activity I’d dive into right away (yes, that was an intentional pun), but it’s one way to call the photographers over to you if you’re not a star in the race.

Singing In The Rain? No, Drinking In The Rain

These two folks waited out a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rain delay at Texas Motor Speedway in April a couple of years back with some beer and a funnel (I was at that race too, and it was a rough one as far as weather goes). While it looks like the woman might actually drinking funneled rain water, we are assured that it’s alcohol.

A Boat Might Have Been More Ideal

This is a step above me running around in rain boots with my umbrella flipped inside out, but below using an actual boat for transportation (given, it’s a pretty good step — I wouldn’t mind being on wheels out here at COTA). The scene comes from this year’s Indianapolis 500, where the qualifying session saw about the same fate as F1’s sees right now — as in, we’re supposed to be running it and we’re not.

Some Of The F1 U.S. Grand Prix Are Embracing The Rain More Than Others

F1 before the gates opened to fans (for weather concerns), but qualifying continues to delay — seriously, we just got another delay update as I typed this sentence, and qualifying is now set for around 3:30 p.m. ET.

The rans out here are dedicated, though. Despite all of the rain, they’re cheering and waving their flags at the camera. Teams are interacting from the pit late, though, and it’s quite entertaining — there’s been folks doing the wave with the audience, pretending to be rowers, on the ground, ballroom dancing and even breakdancing. Yes, breakdancing. The media center is getting a kick out of it.

In the meantime, I’m off to buy a boat. If you’re in the Austin area, feel free to get one too and we can host our own race.

Contact the author at .

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Racing
F1 Installs Car-Breaking Curbs In Mexico To Keep Drivers From Cutting Corners
F1 Installs Car-Breaking Curbs In Mexico To Keep Drivers From Cutting Corners
Hellaflush Subarus aren’t the only cars on earth who fear going over speedbumps. Formula One cars hate them, too, as they have a lot of intricate bits that just love to break off and high-tech lightweight chassis that weren’t designed for sweet jumps. Now Formula One is using speedbumps to...
Oct 18, 2026
Here's The Racing To Watch This Weekend
Here's The Racing To Watch This Weekend
Welcome to the Jalopnik Weekend Motorsports Roundup, where we let you know what’s going on in the world of racing, where you can see it, and where you can talk about it all in one convenient place. Where else would you want to spend your weekend? It’s the weekend, and...
Oct 18, 2026
Toyota: We Expect To Dominate In This Class Where We Are The Only Ones Racing
Toyota: We Expect To Dominate In This Class Where We Are The Only Ones Racing
Toyota, for now, will be the lone manufacturer left in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s top racing class next season. The company said it wants to stay in the class, “only with the goal of winning.” The only thing you can do is win if there is no one else...
Oct 18, 2026
Nissan Becomes The Latest Manufacturer To Join Formula E
Nissan Becomes The Latest Manufacturer To Join Formula E
Formula E is like that restaurant near campus all of the college students flock to. It’s not as Instagram worthy as other spots, but it’s , practical and gets the job done. Nissan, following behind the manufacturer crowd with its headphones in and backpack halfway zipped, just asked for a...
Oct 18, 2026
U.S. Grand Prix Steward Gets Death Threats After Costing Verstappen A Podium
U.S. Grand Prix Steward Gets Death Threats After Costing Verstappen A Podium
On the last lap of last weekend U.S. Grand Prix in Texas, Max Verstappen passed Kimi Raikkonen in a move that race stewards later deemed illegal, costing Verstappen a podium spot. Verstappen wasn’t happy, predictably, and his fans weren’t either, some of whom later death threats to one of the...
Oct 18, 2026
Daniil Kvyat Gets Kicked To The Curb By Toro Rosso For Good This Time
Daniil Kvyat Gets Kicked To The Curb By Toro Rosso For Good This Time
After scoring a point in his surprise comeback United States Grand Prix drive for Toro Rosso, Daniil “” Kvyat is officially no longer driving for either of Red Bull’s Formula One teams, reports. Kvyat was told that he would no longer be driving for the team after last weekend’s race,...
Oct 18, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved