Bills Bye Week? Race the F1 Track in Orchard Park Instead
Every Bills fan knows the feeling. Bye week rolls around, Sunday shows up, and you've got no idea what to do with yourself. No tailgate, no wings at halftime, no yelling at the TV in the third quarter.
This year the bye lands on the weekend of October 24 and 25. And that happens to be the same weekend Formula 1 races the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Lights out is Sunday at 4:00 pm Eastern.
So here's my pitch. Instead of wandering around the house all Sunday, come down to Orchard Park and drive that track yourself before the pros do.
Drive Circuit of the Americas Right Here in WNY
We're Start Your Engines, a racing simulator venue at 4 Centre Drive, Suite D, in Orchard Park. Yes, the same Orchard Park as the stadium. We've got four professional racing simulator rigs, and Circuit of the Americas is loaded on every one of them in both F1 25 and iRacing. Want the full F1 feel? Jump in F1 25. Want something a little more hardcore? Try it in iRacing.
If you've watched an F1 race in Austin, you know Turn 1. It's that steep uphill climb into a tight left-hander where half the field tries to dive down the inside. It looks dramatic on TV. It feels even better when you're the one hitting the brakes way too late and finding out what happens.
Then there's the esses through the first sector, the long back straight, and a stadium section at the end that'll test your patience. You'll come out of your first session with a whole new respect for what those drivers do, and probably a lap time you want to beat.
Never Driven a Sim Before? Good.
Never sat in a racing simulator? That's fine. You don't need to be a gamer, you don't need to know anything about racing lines, and you don't need your own gear.
We'll get you set up in the seat, explain the wheel and pedals, and get you on track. Your first few laps will probably be messy. Everybody's are. By the end of the hour you'll be braking later, carrying more speed, and asking how much faster the guy in the next rig is going.
That's the fun part. With four rigs, you and your buddies can race each other on the same track at the same time. Nothing settles an argument quite like a lap time on the board.
A Plan for Your Bye-Week Sunday
Here's how I'd do it if I were you:
Get your laps in. We're open noon to 10 pm, so book a session Sunday afternoon.
Bring the crew. Grab three friends and take over all four rigs for a head-to-head.
Stick around for the race. We'll have Austin on the TV for the 4:00 pm start, so you can race the track and then watch the pros take on the same corners.
Now when the commentators talk about somebody overcooking Turn 1 or nailing the exit of the final corner, you'll actually know what they mean. Watching a race after you've driven the track hits different.
And if Saturday works better, the Austin qualifying session is at 5:00 pm Eastern on the 24th. Same idea: race in the afternoon, watch the pros chase pole at night.
What It Costs
Drop-in is $25 an hour per rig. No membership needed, just book a time and show up.
If you catch the bug, we've got two memberships: Standard at $50 a month and Premium at $70 a month. Standard gets you an hour on the rigs every day, all month long. Premium gets you two hours a day, and you can split that time with a friend. If you're going to be chasing lap times all winter, that adds up fast.
Not Just a Bye-Week Thing
Late October in Buffalo means cold rain, gray skies, and winter sneaking up on us. Whether you're coming from Hamburg, West Seneca, Amherst, or out by the Falls, it's a good time to find something fun to do indoors that isn't another trip to the mall.
We also host private events, birthday parties, bachelor parties, and corporate team building, so keep us in mind for your next group outing.
If you've been looking for things to do in Orchard Park that aren't football, this is it.
Book Your Laps
The Bills will be back on November 1. Until then, come get your racing fix the local way.
Book your session at startyourengines.co. Pick your time, bring your friends, and see if you can handle Turn 1 better than the guys on TV.
See you on track.
