COTA Austin - construction and infrastructure

[Jeffsvilleusa]

For that reason I guess it was pretty shrewd for F1 to pick out Austin, because it is one of the most 'happening' cities in the US from what I hear.

[Mr Alcatraz]

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So F1 in Austin is no special case, it is simply an excellent application of an approved way to push the economy.

Second, F1 under the scheme has to demonstrate that the subsidy is earned back in taxation. That was clear from the start. So in effect all that is happening is that Austin decides to get an international event which will push its economy and it will invest all the taxes it gets over 10 years into the venture. Its a win/win proposition. Nobody can loose in the deal unless the circuit owner goes bust.
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More socialist rethoric to my mind, subsidies to push the economy in order to increase tax revenues, I've heard this song so many times in defence of the most outrageous cases of government waste that I lost count many years ago.

To my xperience, when you xamine each and every case, there's always some special interest or crooked politician behind it, who happens to like the activity in question. I believe that any event worth its xistance should support itself.

To the best of my knowledge, Formula One never had a problem with that until MrM colluded with MrE to sell out the sport's commercial rights to the profiteers. To argue that increased tax-revenues should be pissed away to those makes me sick.

Now tickets for Spa will cost me and my mistress some 900 EUR, you all agree that taxpayers should chip in as well?

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I'll just pick up on this comment for now, but the funds all come from the same place. They are not as you say seperately budgeted. At the start of the fiscal year, the local authority will have a pot of public money which has to be divided between all public services.
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At least over here, this has become a popular diversion from politicians to defend spending on their pet projects, "it's on a different budget!", they try to xplain as if people were stupid, that the money didn't come from the same source?

[...]

Their is much truth in this post!

[Mr Alcatraz]

For that reason I guess it was pretty shrewd for F1 to pick out Austin, because it is one of the most 'happening' cities in the US from what I hear.

I fully expect the like of ZZ Top to slide in. How cool would that be?

[flynfrog]

so should I book my hotel or not?

Yes.

You'll have great time, regardless. Check http://www.foodtv.com for the "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" in Austin. The food, music, and scenery -- race or no -- make it worth the trip.

I know Austin is a good time as they say not my first rodeo....

But if its not going down ill buy tickers to canadia

[Mr Alcatraz]

The US Government needs to budget it's money more wisely, notice I didn't say spend, but this isn't that big a deal to me. That's from a view of a non-Texan mind you so I don't know the fiscal situation of the state of Texas either so I could be completely wrong. I'm being selfish in the mindset that I'm happy it's there, it'll finally give me a chance to see Formula 1 cars in the flesh for the first time in my life. I have no idea what it's costing the people of Texas obviously but I can only hope that me going and spending money there for the weekend will somehow help any public debt that was created. I just hope that my lowered truck doesn't get too many dirty looks!

One thing we can do as a country is learn from history. We cannot afford to start wars and 'conflicts' the world over because it's simply not possible. Many European/other world empires over many years learned this long ago and it's a shame that history isn't our primary teacher any more. With the ongoing pointless wars in Afghanistan and Iraq draining money, the last thing we needed was another pointless war in Libya. Our President has shown that he's a warmonger like his predecessors and has no valid reason for being there. We've got our own problems at home and we've no right/obligation to police the world. I'm not saying the pople of Libya don't need/deserve help but it's my opinion that the people of that region that are its' surrounding neighbors should have the responsibility to keep them in line and offer assistance. I for one see no point in the behavior and swagger the US has around the world. I think we've bombed enough countries around the world over our history and we would do ourselves a huge favor by stopping our influence by force. I'm ashamed to see the gall that our politicians and military leaders show on a daily basis in relation to other countries situations. As an Iraq veteran it was the worst thing I've ever done in my life, I had no reason to be there and neither did the US military. Muhammad Ali said it best when he was sent a draft notice for Vietnam and refused to go. Now his reasons were more important to mine but I liked how he resisted going to a pointless war for his personal beliefs and how he stuck to them in the face of severe punishment. It's a shame I was so naive and didn't stand up for myself.

I can't wait to go and see the GP.

Ray as counterintuitive as this may sound to Americans. France started the war in Libya, and Sarkosy would have been willing to go it alone; though he was pretty damn sure he wasn't going to have to. MHO

[xpensive]

For that reason I guess it was pretty shrewd for F1 to pick out Austin, because it is one of the most 'happening' cities in the US from what I hear.

I'm not so sure F1 picked Austin as there was not xactly a long line of canidates to chose from, while MrE probably never heard of the city before they called him to tell they somehow had a shitload of money to spend on his profiteering circus.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see F1 back in the US, but in a proper place like California or NY state where there's a road-course tradition, I'm sorry to say this rings just as artificial as Dallas, Las Vegas or Phoenix all those years ago.

[Mr Alcatraz]

For that reason I guess it was pretty shrewd for F1 to pick out Austin, because it is one of the most 'happening' cities in the US from what I hear.

I'm not so sure F1 picked Austin as there was not xactly a long line of canidates to chose from, while MrE probably never heard of the city before they called him to tell they somehow had a shitload of money to spend on his profiteering circus.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see F1 back in the US, but in a proper place like California or NY state where there's a road-course tradition, I'm sorry to say this rings just as artificial as Dallas, Las Vegas or Phoenix all those years ago.

This article really does seem to render your opinnion as my British friends like to say say "Bullocks"

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100525/F1/100529836

"The company's managing partner, Tavo Hellmund, said in the statement: “We are extremely honored and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights holder. We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the state of Texas and back to the United States. All parties involved have a great amount of trust and confidence in each other and are committed to establishing the F1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, as a prestigious global event.
“This is a case of the right timing in the right place. As many Americans know, Austin has earned a reputation as one of the ‘it' cities in the United States. Austin features that rare combination of ideal geographic location and beauty. Its fine dining, world-renowned hospitality and excellent transportation infrastructure make Austin ideally suited to host and manage an event of this magnitude.

“Few cities, if any, in America could rival the connectivity of all the key elements needed for hosting an F1 event as well as Austin. Now, many people around the world will have the opportunity to experience a world-class event, facility and city.”


No hard feelings at Monticello



Contacted by AutoWeek, Monticello Motor Club president Ari Straus said:

"Bernie was very upfront with us that we weren't the only vendor he was speaking with and that there were several other [potential promoters and tracks] he was holding discussions with.
"We would [still] love to see Formula One return to New York and Monticello would have been a great venue." ""

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... z1P1svWNd9


Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... z1P1sUqpqb

[xpensive]

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“Few cities, if any, in America could rival the connectivity of all the key elements needed for hosting an F1 event as well as Austin. Now, many people around the world will have the opportunity to experience a world-class event, facility and city.”
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Really, as far as I understand things they don't even have a track yet, while party-town or not, probably very few people even in the US would find it on the map?

Contacted by AutoWeek, Monticello Motor Club president Ari Straus said:

"Bernie was very upfront with us that we weren't the only vendor he was speaking with and that there were several other [potential promoters and tracks] he was holding discussions with.

MrE would say that wouldn't he, Tony George asked him to shove it and we haven't seen F1 in the US ever since?

[Mr Alcatraz]

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“Few cities, if any, in America could rival the connectivity of all the key elements needed for hosting an F1 event as well as Austin. Now, many people around the world will have the opportunity to experience a world-class event, facility and city.”
...

Really, as far as I understand things they don't even have a track yet, while party-town or not, probably very few people even in the US would find it on the map?

Contacted by AutoWeek, Monticello Motor Club president Ari Straus said:

"Bernie was very upfront with us that we weren't the only vendor he was speaking with and that there were several other [potential promoters and tracks] he was holding discussions with.

MrE would say that wouldn't he, Tony George asked him to shove it and we haven't seen F1 in the US ever since?

Americans that know anything about modern culture are well aware of its prowess.

"Austin City Limits" has been a Public TV entertainment giant on PBS for many years.

The University of Texas (at Austin) as you should know is a giant in the computer science scene and companies like Sun and Texas instruments are cutting edge, as you should also know!

You really don't know as much about the U.S. as you would like people to think. IMHO

[xpensive]

Oh but I do, most everyday Americans can't even point out the US on a world map, much less another country or the capital
of Texas. As soon as you leave the big cities, Formula one is more or less completely unknown, but Dale Earnhart is not.

But you can pick up a lot by Googling, right Taz?

I wonder how many viewers PBS has these days, glad they are around though, even if nobody watched it in Pennsylvania.

Something as hoax as the USF1 team could never have happened elsewhere, the Austin race will of course go the same way.

[Mr Alcatraz]

Oh but I do, most everyday Americans can't even point out the US on a world map, much less another country or the capital
of Texas. As soon as you leave the big cities, Formula one is more or less completely unknown, but Dale Earnhart is not.

But you can pick up a lot by Googling, right Taz?

I wonder how many viewers PBS has these days, glad they are around though, even if nobody watched it in Pennsylvania.

Something as hoax as the USF1 team could never have happened elsewhere, the Austin race will of course go the same way.

Thanks for the evidence it is as I suspected. I googled nothing from my last post and part of it is most likely slightly geographically incorrect. But you have your mind made up. I don't care how you think I came up with my assertions because Texas insrtaments is probably based in Houston. As for Sun that is just a guess. If you want to refute me you could. But don't tell me about PBS as you don't even understand the variety of music they show, on Austin City Limits. It certainly is very "Country" but it is also very progressive. Do you think Pennsylvania is a backwood State? I certainly don't. And as far as I know PBS is shown with regularity all over this country. Too suggest that it is only shown where people listen to NPR which is something completely different is very ignorant!

BTW I was the first person I know to call USF1 a hoax, and to this day believe that Speed TV was probably providing some of the juice behind it. Windsor sure seemed to get his job back after they announced that they had replaced him, to distance themselves was a little too convenient in my way of thinking.

[xpensive]

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I googled nothing from my last post and part of it is most likely slightly geographically incorrect. But you have your mind made up. I don't care how you think I came up with my assertions because Texas insrtaments is probably based in Houston. As for Sun that is just a guess. If you want to refute me you could. But don't tell me about PBS as you don't even understand the variety of music they show, on Austin City Limits. It certainly is very "Country" but it is also very progressive. Do you think Pennsylvania is a backwood State? I certainly don't. And as far as I know PBS is shown with regularity all over this country. Too suggest that it is only shown where people listen to NPR which is something completely different is very ignorant!
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Hand on heart, I don't have the foggiest of what you are rambling about, or what it has to do with a Formula One race?


Back on topic, when I have serious plans to go to Austin next year, I hope that the race will indeed take place. The web-site is most educative, in particular for someone who knows zip about F1, which is perhaps the point;

http://www.formula1unitedstates.com/index.html

But I wonder what this statement is supposed to mean?

"The Formula 1 race is estimated to have an annual economic impact of approximately $300 million on the state and hosting territory, according to the Office of the Texas Comptroller."

[strad]

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see F1 back in the US, but in a proper place like California or NY state where there's a road-course tradition, I'm sorry to say this rings just as artificial as Dallas, Las Vegas or Phoenix all those years ago.

.
I understand the sentiment, but Austin does at least have the advantage of NOT being a street course.. In fact it looks quite interesting,,,but as I've said the crown princes of racing will turn their noses up at the ammenities

[strad]

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But I wonder what this statement is supposed to mean?

"The Formula 1 race is estimated to have an annual economic impact of approximately $300 million on the state and hosting territory, according to the Office of the Texas Comptroller."

You being disingenuious? Just what it says...That cats coming to the race will spend that much on rooms and meals, rental cars..tips to waitresses,,ALL the money that will be spent...and ya better believe such an optimistic figure includes xpected increases in sales of local newspapers and shoeshines. LOL

[Mr Alcatraz]

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I googled nothing from my last post and part of it is most likely slightly geographically incorrect. But you have your mind made up. I don't care how you think I came up with my assertions because Texas insrtaments is probably based in Houston. As for Sun that is just a guess. If you want to refute me you could. But don't tell me about PBS as you don't even understand the variety of music they show, on Austin City Limits. It certainly is very "Country" but it is also very progressive. Do you think Pennsylvania is a backwood State? I certainly don't. And as far as I know PBS is shown with regularity all over this country. Too suggest that it is only shown where people listen to NPR which is something completely different is very ignorant!
...

Hand on heart, I don't have the foggiest of what you are rambling about, or what it has to do with a Formula One race?


Back on topic, when I have serious plans to go to Austin next year, I hope that the race will indeed take place. The web-site is most educative, in particular for someone who knows zip about F1, which is perhaps the point;

http://www.formula1unitedstates.com/index.html

But I wonder what this statement is supposed to mean?

"The Formula 1 race is estimated to have an annual economic impact of approximately $300 million on the state and hosting territory, according to the Office of the Texas Comptroller."

As to the later of all may many shortcomings I am also not an Economist. I had not seen that link to me it is a glorified advertisement. According to the bit that Full Throttle put out the video that has been posted on this thread they claim $440,000.000.oo impact FWIW.
As to the former; with my hand on my heart
I will confess that I think you are just a little put off at me for allegorically breaking up you misogynist fest on the meet up thread, and basically implying the best "Date" money can buy was really just a perception of what you think people without real organic passion want, not people that developed their desires by and by.
Also with my hand on my heart;
As much crap as I talk on this site. I read three times as much. I really think I get the theory of about 3/4 of it.
With my hand on my heart
I tell you without fear of recrimination that this is the only forum I post on and rarely read anything from any others. I'm the Jock that beat you up in high school. I have repented, and I apologize.
I have a good time on here and I think that some of my enthusiasm is generally just discarded as something I did not intend it to mean.
At any rate I will try to practice a little bit better manners. I think that it will be a policy that will not get other foibles unnecessarily out of joint.