ABIA full of F1 travelers ready to party

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Call them the fashionably late.

As many as 18,000 passengers are flying into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Friday, and many of them are international travelers here for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix race.

Two practice runs began at the track Friday with a third practice run set for Saturday morning before the afternoon's time trials heading into the race on Sunday at 1 p.m.

As the visitors pour into town they arrive with high hopes and fat wallets.

"I hope it will be a great weekend,' said Moses Abadi, here from Panama, "otherwise we spent a lot of money to come here." Asked what he expects of Austin, Abadi replied with a smile, "Party. A big party."

Austin's Barry Deemer went out to the airport in hopes of buying a spare race ticket from the incoming travelers.

"The ticket sellers have them but they want five times their face value," he said.

Volunteer translators were on hand to help with any language difficulties. Ghizlane Badami was able to assist in French or Arabic.

From China, Momo Xie was unable to get a hotel room.

"We're staying far away from Austin. A half-hour drive," Xie said.

Moses Abadi had requested his travel agent get him a room downtown. Upon arriving he learned he was booked in the Westin at The Domain.

He wasn't happy, saying, "That's crazy because who is going to drive me every time I'm a little drunk?"