COTA Austin - construction and infrastructure

[donskar]

Formula One cars passing the fish market and waterfront in Seattle during the city's fmous rain-festival, which is held annualy from January 1 to December 31st, would be something to behold indeed.

Perhaps Microsoft would care to sponsor the event, imagine that, someone actually richer than MrE?

No, X. It's really pretty simple (IMHO). The USA does NOT need F1. It hardly even CARES about F1. Bernie's approach to "business" does not fly here. Yes, he will gull a few naive fools, but long-term, his style will not make it. Austin will (IMHO) fail sooner rather than later, and that will make F1 even less palatable in US in the future. I love F1 racing, and the cars, and the drivers. But the business of F1 is -- to me --repulsive. Dealing with Bernie and hoping for a rational long-term business agreement is like falling in love with a whore. She only wants your money -- nothing else counts.

[xpensive]

As much as I dislike MrE and his methods, I must confess that I never beheld the United States as a haven for honorable business dealings and/or sportsmanship either?

[strad]

[xpensive]

And that's being polite, my xperience from the Norwegian oil & gas business is that a lot of people share my sentiments.

[hairy_scotsman]

A week or so ago, the folks from Jalopnik.com took a visit out to the site. Here's what they saw:

http://jalopnik.com/5869722/austin-f1-c ... /gallery/1

[Richard]

x - I agree the land that created Wallmart can have some unpalatable business practices.

However I'd rate the M.East and Russia are worse places to do business.

[ESPImperium]

Given that they are ahead of where India were in their timescale to the CoA timescales, i cannot see howw this track will be ready in time.

Personally i think the FIA should think about putting in a safegaurd for new tracks where they have to be able to take at least 2 National series and one regional series event before F1 is even near a new track, just to make sure it conforms and they know where and what to iron out before F1 is there. We have had the debacle at Korea and altho a good race at India, that could have gone the same way if not for certain things happening from 6 to 12 weeks out.

The CoA looks like it will be the next track debacle that needs rescuing.

Id like to see a new track ready for up to a minimum of 4 to 5 monyjs before F1 hits the front gates there. Just makes sence to me. However, after seeing what went on at my works £25m refit and extention program in 2010, nothing surprises me in what people call common sence.

[hairy_scotsman]

Obviously I'm no construction expert, but CAN it be done? I think so, yes. But it will probably be close. WILL it be done? I don't know. WeWillSee.

After all the delays and apparent piecemealing of the process, the absence of Hellmund, and the small admin staff, I'm worried about the track being completed, but I'm even MORE worried about the event being pulled off, but in a half-assed way. Hopefully my concerns will prove to be unfounded.

[NonNewtonic]

I do think they will make it just on time *fingers crossed* because they are actually ahead of schedule before all those delays and conflict started

[Pup]

After...the absence of Hellmund...I'm worried about the track being completed...

Because Helmund is such an experienced construction manager.

[hairy_scotsman]

Here's the article to go with those Jalopnik photos I posted earlier:

http://jalopnik.com/5869729/

[hairy_scotsman]

After...the absence of Hellmund...I'm worried about the track being completed...

Because Helmund is such an experienced construction manager.

Roll your eyes all you want, but there's a whole lot more to be done in order to make this work well than simply completing the track on time...and only a few people on staff at COTA to make that happen.

I do think they will make it just on time *fingers crossed* because they are actually ahead of schedule before all those delays and conflict started

From what I've been able to gather they were ahead of sched on the dirt work and were behind on the vertical structures before they ever encountered the weeks of delays. Sure, it can be done, assuming they have the money necessary and are willing to throw enough of it at the problem.

[hairy_scotsman]

More photos posted today by COTA:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 693&type=3

[ringo]

We need to have this GP. Any american GP!
Makes it easier for people in the western hemisphere as myself to see an F1 race live.

[strad]

What I can't believe...again...is that there are so many people who would love...for reasons I have a hard time fathoming...to see the race to fail.
Is it really worth losing what could be a great race/venue for the sheer glee it would give you to rub our faces in it?