Booking for India’s first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix has begun today and I too decided to book a ticket for this historic event and hopefully a start of more serious racing culture in India.
Tickets are available on Bookmyshow.com and ticket prices start from Rs. 2500 and go all the way up to Rs. 35,000 for main grand stand. Additionally one has to purchase parking tickets in advance, which starts at Rs. 150 for two wheelers and is free with the purchase of 2 tickets and in case of car, one has to purchase 3 tickets to get free parking.
Me being a mere mortal, decided to opt for the cheapest ticket along with parking for my motorcycle and home delivery of ticket, which came out to be Rs. 2727.58 and included a convenience charge of Rs. 27.58 by BookMyShow.
Here is the online confirmation of my ticket to the Indian Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The only worrying bit for me is the fact that even though cameras are allowed, under prohibited items, following is mentioned:
6. Professional audio visual equipment, professional cameras
Not sure whether they will consider my 1000D with 55-250IS lens as just a camera (which it is) or professional camera and ask me to leave it out!
That apart, I cannot wait to see and hear the Formula 1 cars in action at the 2011 Forumla 1 Airtel Grand Prix of India at Buddh International Circuit and would be cheering for the Indian F1 team and Sebastian Vettel.
15 Comments
Hi Yogesh,
Follow your blog regularly…interesting mix.
I tried booking F1 tickets on seeing your post…trust my luck, they said “Sold Out.” Just wanted to ask you that incase you hear of any place where I can find the South Stand tickets, DO please let me know.
And when’s you next bike trip? Wouldnt mind doing a pillion ride – ages since I rode bikes. 🙂
Cheers,
Sujoyta
2011 Formula 1 Grand Prix of India – Terms & Conditions
Personal electronic devices (including still image cameras, mobile telephones and other handheld personal communications devices) are permitted within the Venue unless otherwise advised, provided that any Recording, Data and any image, including photographic images and any still pictures derived or capable of being derived from a Recording (Image) of the Event that is recorded, stored and/or created thereon is used for personal, private and non-commercial purposes only.
I spoke with Bookmyshow a couple of hours ago about the delivery of my tickets. I also asked him about carrying my mobile phone to the event. The man told me I could take it and also suggested I could take a small pocket camera if I wished. Any thing ‘professional looking’ would not be allowed.
Hope this helps.
Thanks GP and Ansley, reason behind that uncertainty of mine was due to the fact that I own an entry level DSLR and telephoto lens, which obviously isn’t going to be considered as professional equipment by those who know photography, but can be interpreted as professional gear by ignorant folks.
I just got my F1 tickets. If you see the back of the ticket, it says Cameras are not allowed. There is a list of prohibited items and cameras are one of them. This is just too confusing. The organizers should be clear.
Can anyone please help as I want to take my camera to the venue.
Well like I said earlier, one would just have to risk it and argue it at the entrance on practice day. If they allow it, fine. If not, then you can go with out it on the race day and post angry blog posts, status updates and emails to officials, especially since as far as I can see, cameras are permitted the world over and it shouldn’t be any different in India!
I called BookMyShow today and told them that the ticket mentions that cameras are not allowed, whereas the website mentions that cameras are allowed as long as they are not professional.
The girl kept me on hold to inquire. When she came back after a minute, she confirmed that digital cameras are allowed and that only professional cameras are not allowed.
So I guess we can take our cameras in. I only hope that the security is properly informed.
That is what it all boils down to, security staff on duty. So like I said, make sure to do a trial run by taking the camera to the practice, or check back here, as I will report my experience as well.
the staff at most events in India are quite ignorant. If u take a DSLR with say a 18-55 lens they’ll let u through with no hassle, but if u take something like a 55-300 zoom lens with the same camera then u can be sure they’ll stop u. Its just really sad.
At the Red Bull Speed Street event it was the same old story as always, no DSLRs allowed at all.
Interestingly enough the organisers havent bothered providing any info on this topic.
Hi All,
We booked some tickets on 15th September through the bookmyshow.com website. We received a similar confimation like posted above by Mr. Yogesh. But now after more than one month we’re still waiting for the home delivery of the tickets. Does it really take that long to deliver the tickets? We’re getting a bit worried, anyone else having the same experience?
Bob, check with Bookmyshow. I have received my tickets a week or so back.
I got mine a couple of days back. It seems they are being distributed area wise. My cousin and his friend who live in a different area, got them sooner although they had booked after me. The guys who delivered mine, asked me about the locations of a few more addresses in my locality.
Btw, I had written a mail to BookMyShow, with a copy to JPSI, about the camera confusion. They haven’t replied so far.
I think the bookings which included a parking pass are getting delayed. I booked my tickets, along with parking, on 4th of September and still havent received them.
I also booked another single ticket on the 1st of October which I received yday.
Maybe they havent got their parking tickets in order and therefore havent dispatched them yet.
Got the tickets yesterday including the parking pass. Thanks for the replies.
CAMERAS ARE ALLOWED 🙂
Professional cameras with tripod stands are not allowed.