Circuit of The Americas today announced that it has been declared ready to host the 2012 F1 United States GP by Charlie Whiting, who directs racing, safety and technical matters for the FIA. Whiting visited the Central Texas racing circuit as part of a scheduled pre-race inspection and approved the circuit for “Grade 1” status, hence appropriate to host an F1 race.
There is no point in trying to solve Bernie's problems. He will do it without our help. Austin will happen, unless they run into trouble with the track.xpensive wrote:Are all the classic tracks out of the question?
I always thought there was a racer somewhere in MrE's heart, but you might be right on the money with this one WB.WhiteBlue wrote:There is no point in trying to solve Bernie's problems. He will do it without our help. Austin will happen, unless they run into trouble with the track.xpensive wrote:Are all the classic tracks out of the question?
Yes. Some are poorly located; all would require the investment of many, many millions.xpensive wrote:Any which way you slice it, there has to be a USGP, problem is to find a venue of course. Phoenix and Dallas didn't work, we know that. Are all the classic tracks out of the question?
Good correction, thanks.Rob01 wrote:Texas Motor Speedway holds 191K. Plus the infield. In addition Eddie G said they made 22Mil off the first Nascar race held at TMS.
I know exactly what that means, so if I go there I'll definatly be packing heat.xpensive wrote:What are you guys talking about anyway, Austin is way south of the Mason-Dixon line? As if anyone of guys would have any idea of what that means...
Tilke designing Austin track, site already purchased
Veteran circuit designer Herrman Tilke will be responsible for the Austin F1 track, promoter Tavo Hellmund has confirmed to this writer. Hellmund also says the project is also much further along than has been assumed.
“This has been long in the works,” he told this blog. “Everything is in place.”
Although the former racer told local media yesterday that three possible venues were still under consideration, that suggestion was apparently a smokescreen.
While several alternatives were under consideration, one site was settled on some time ago, and the land – over 800 acres – has already been purchased. Not only that but initial permissions for amenities such as water and waste, which are usually time consuming affairs, have already been granted.
Although Hellmund has yet to divulge details, he confirmed that the site is to the east of the city, a few miles from the airport. It is said to be in hilly countryside that has provided Tilke with a good starting point for a design.
The German has been asked to create a fast circuit with challenging corners that resemble those of classis established circuits such as Silverstone, Hockenheim and Spa.
Tilke first sent a representative of his company to Austin around two years ago, and has made personal many visits since. He is currently looking for office space in the city in which to base the project.
Hellmund is adamant that Austin is an ideal location: “Other than New York or LA, which already have 10m people, where are you going to find a place that within 150-mile radius you have three of the top 10 largest markets in the United States? That is the wonderful thing. Our position between Canada and the United States, North, South and Central America, is unbelievable.
“You take that into account, you take into account the draw that Austin is, it’s the state capital, it’s in the hill country, it’s got a huge, huge vibe and tag of being the coolest place.”
As reported previously, the race is set to benefit from the ‘Texas Major Events Trust Fund,’ which is intended to reimburse cities for costs they face when hosting big sporting events.
However, that relates only to specific events and does not have an impact on the cost of building the facility, which budgeted at $200m. The track build is being financed by private investors.
One of the key elements that has helped to generate funding is that aside from F1, the circuit will be used to help develop alternative fuels.
Tavo has known Bernie Ecclestone since he was a teenager. His father was involved in promoting Indycar and TransAm races in Mexico City, and also helped to bring F1 back to the country in 1988. Hellmund Sr was also involved in the 1986 soccer World Cup and in organising music events.
so will every one else its TexasISLAMATRON wrote:I know exactly what that means, so if I go there I'll definatly be packing heat.xpensive wrote:What are you guys talking about anyway, Austin is way south of the Mason-Dixon line? As if anyone of guys would have any idea of what that means...
ok but if I have to go with you two im wearing this.mx_tifosi wrote:I just might go if this becomes a reality, I'm not holding my breath though.
Flynfrog and ISLAMATRON, want to start working on F1T and "Alonso RULZ" banners?
So Bernie grabbed some 250 mil$ tax payer's money by this deal. He loves this kind of stunts. I doubt that any other venue would have made him that money. If he now finds a way to get Hellmund the finance he basically gets the facility for free. All the ticket money is available for his fees. This not a dumb way to get rid of the burden of having a USGP.Motorsport.com wrote:Austin promoter Tavo Hellmund, reportedly a friend of Ecclestone's for decades, said he is not worried about the tight schedule for 2012.
"If it (the date) slides back, it slides back," he said.
Although mainly funded privately, the project will also enjoy some state input, with a letter to Ecclestone signed by Texas governor Rick Perry pledging $25 million per year from the state's Mayor Event Trust Fund.
Just in case anyone takes the two posts above seriously . . . BS.flynfrog wrote:so will every one else its TexasISLAMATRON wrote:I know exactly what that means, so if I go there I'll definatly be packing heat.xpensive wrote:What are you guys talking about anyway, Austin is way south of the Mason-Dixon line? As if anyone of guys would have any idea of what that means...
