F1 to Austin TX

[Kevin T]

Link - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83873

Going to build a whole track for them someplace in Austin... believe it when I see it...

[wbs]

Let's hope we don't get yet another Hermann Tilke track.

[sydude]

Originally Posted by wbs

Let's hope we don't get yet another Hermann Tilke track.

More:

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin...0/5/10824.html

[Rosso]

The perfect state for it. The Texican Republic is the only state large enough to contain the Eccelestone ego...

[dalyduo]

Wonder what date will be chosen for the event? Because weather wise... What could possibly go wrong?
Who wouldn't want to sit out in the humid subtropical sun?

...Or maybe they're planning on building an indoor F1 track.

Climate

Austin has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. On average, Austin receives 33.6 inches (853.4 mm) of rain per year, with most of the precipitation in the spring, and a secondary maximum in the fall. During springtime, severe thunderstorms sometimes occur, though tornados are rare in the city. Austin is usually at least partially sunny.

Austin summers are usually hot and humid, with average temperatures of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) from June until September. Temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) are common. The highest recorded temperature was 112 °F (44 °C) on September 5, 2000. For the entire year there is an average of 111 days above 90 °F (32 °C) and 198 days above 80 °F (27 °C).

Winters in Austin are mild and dry. For the entire year, Austin averages 88 days below 45 °F (7 °C) and 24 days when the minimum temperature falls below freezing. The lowest recorded temperature was −2 °F (−19 °C) on January 31, 1949. Snowfall is rare in Austin, but approximately biannually Austin may suffer an ice storm that freezes roads over and affects much of the city for 24 to 48 hours

[rcote]

Yes. the weather can be a bear there. But it is really a neat and unique city. Live music capital of the world. I always used to scoff at that claim till I spent some time there.. It's NOTHING like Texas.. lol...

[rcote]

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...king-for-site/

Wow. Haven't found the land yet?? Good luck on not being gouged on the price..

[Gerardo]

Definitely will be interesting to see what month they schedule it (assuming it happens, of course). The summers are very hot, but the spring can be very beautiful. Austin is a well kept secret, really. It's nothing like the rest of Texas, and different from most any city in the whole country. I don't know the numbers, but just driving around, you'd think small businesses outnumbered chains by a ratio of 50 to 1. Very eclectic, very cool.

We will see.

More short articles here.

http://www.racer.com/us-grand-prix-f...MC-RACER_DAILY

http://www.racer.com/austin-a-perfec...MC-RACER_DAILY

[GregS]

Well, I hope it does come off. I, like Kevin, will not believe it till the track breaks ground. The cost for the track is going to be an issue and I have no idea who is paying for it.

If it does happen, I hope skippy can book a race or two a year there, the facilities should be sick

My wish list for the new track:
Elevation changes and interesting corners
No hair pins ( I do better at tracks that are all momentum)
at least one major sweeping carousel type of corner

We should try and get all our skippy family to the first race in 2012!

[GregS]

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/18259.html

ouch...

[rcote]

maybe there's stil a chance it could end up at Monticello...


seemed fitting, I had to break out this Tshirt today..

[Andor]

Seems like a better place than NY or NJ but still has a long way to go before i can start getting my hopes up... again

[rcote]

Who has a bigger population base though, Monticello with easy access to both the NY/NJ area AND the Boston area or Austin.??

Also from what I remember in my time in Austin, NO WAY is a track actually gonna be put in Austin itself. No land for that. It would most likely have to be some ranch land bought outside of the city. By the time you get out there, the scenery is nothing like downtown Austin, and around the river. The upstate NY area would blow it away for a setting for race weekend.

And I LOVE Austin. Like Gerado and I said earlier, it's NOTHING like the rest of Texas. The people, the actually lush parks along the river, the downtown scene and music. But, get far enough outside of Austin, where the space would be to build a facility that F1 would most likely need, and guess what?? You're back in "Texas" lol...

I won't believe ANYTHING until I see it. It'll be fun to watch where this ride goes..

[rslonaker]

Hmmmm...

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...-austin-track/

[dalyduo]

Indeed... Curiouser and curiouser

Originally Posted by rslonaker

Hmmmm...

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...-austin-track/

[Slowhands]

So does this mean we can look forward to JV on Austin City Limits sometime soon?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJmHsWVxP24

I think he thinks he's George Michael.
(I apologize to both Dom Bastien and Paul Subject if this offends either of you in any way.)

[GT-Subject]

Originally Posted by Slowhands

So does this mean we can look forward to JV on Austin City Limits sometime soon?
I think he thinks he's George Michael.
(I apologize to both Dom Bastien and Paul Subject if this offends either of you in any way.)

Clearly he is the next Canadian Idol - oh I forgot - Canadian Idol was cancelled last year - due to LACK OF TALENT!!!!!! Nice job JV - NOT!!!!!

[Gerardo]

More news today.

"Austin Boss Says US GP Finances Are In Place" RACER.com

http://www.racer.com/austin-boss-say...MC-RACER_DAILY

[sydude]

Initial draft plans were just released. Full sized versions are attached, see below.



Full Size:
F1 USGP BasicTrack LayoutwElevation.pdf
Draft Track Layout F1 USGP.pdf

[dalyduo]

It's going to take a lot of sun block to cover this baby.

So the elevation map only shows the lower half of the track. Is that the F1 course or does it include the long course seen on the upper map?

[rcote]

???? whats with the elevation change at T1?? It looks goofy.. Straight uphill, like elevation change for the sake of elevation change... maybe the exit makes up for it. be really interesting to see HWERE it's gonna go and how close to Austin "proper" it will actually be.

[cdh]

Originally Posted by dalyduo

So the elevation map only shows the lower half of the track. Is that the F1 course or does it include the long course seen on the upper map?

Both diagrams of the same full course no?

Looks like fun

[dalyduo]

Yep... On third look you're right. Wasn't re-orienting the track properly in my mind.
Thanks Doug

Originally Posted by cdh

Both diagrams of the same full course no?

Looks like fun

[cdh]

Originally Posted by dalyduo

Yep... On third look you're right. Wasn't re-orienting the track properly in my mind.
Thanks Doug

took me 4 looks, that splains it

[GregS]

Originally Posted by rcote

???? whats with the elevation change at T1?? It looks goofy.. Straight uphill, like elevation change for the sake of elevation change... maybe the exit makes up for it. be really interesting to see HWERE it's gonna go and how close to Austin "proper" it will actually be.

I totally agree

And why would they copy the worst part of hockenheim.

I am very disappointed with some of the track.

I really like:
16,17,18, 19

I sorta like 3,4,5,6 (esp if it is uphill ala vir)

Tsavo mentioned a eau rouge turn in many interviews, but it looks like that was cut.

I strongly dislike:
12,13,14 and 15..

I abhor t11 they made an overtaking spot, but the run up to it isnt very interesting.

Needs a lot more elevation change to rescue the track.

That said - I cant wait to try it.
I hope skippy can get on that track by say 2013

[rslonaker]

Little HiJack here...
So are you a Dad yet???

[GregS]

Originally Posted by rslonaker

Little HiJack here...
So are you a Dad yet???

lol
no
baby is LATE!!

I coulda gone to RA!! :/

[Slowhands]

Check it out:

http://circuitoftheamericas.com/

[dalyduo]

Impressive that some very slick digital editing compilations with VO can make a currently barren piece of land with bulldozers on it near Austin Texas look like the cultural center of the universe. Clever vision and marketing... Interested to see what the reality turns out to be. This is the automotive equivalent of Jerry Jones Texas Stadium. "If you build it... They will come... I hope." Huge risk but hey... you never know.

It has to be more than just a race track and they do appear to be connecting it to universities, training facilities, entertainment etc which could help balance the balance sheet but you hope they have hooked it into enough alternate revenue streams that it will continue to thrive if F1 tanks or looses interest. You can't build a facility like that based on one F1 and one MotoGP race a year. Wonder how long a lap would take in a Skippy car?

[GregS]

Originally Posted by dalyduo

Impressive that some very slick digital editing compilations with VO can make a currently barren piece of land with bulldozers on it near Austin Texas look like the cultural center of the universe. Clever vision and marketing... Interested to see what the reality turns out to be. This is the automotive equivalent of Jerry Jones Texas Stadium. "If you build it... They will come... I hope." Huge risk but hey... you never know.

It has to be more than just a race track and they do appear to be connecting it to universities, training facilities, entertainment etc which could help balance the balance sheet but you hope they have hooked it into enough alternate revenue streams that it will continue to thrive if F1 tanks or looses interest. You can't build a facility like that based on one F1 and one MotoGP race a year. Wonder how long a lap would take in a Skippy car?

yep
i hope skippy gets to race there.. tavo said they wanted lots of people to race there, so we will see.

i have to say most of the track layout is not exciting to me.
it doesnt not look flowing at all

[Rosso]

They announced a few days ago that they have signed a 10 year contract for MotoGP.

[PT Cruiser]

Interesting that the track has been named "Circuit of the Americas."

I recently read an article in the Dallas Morning News about people taking bi-weekly bus trips all the way from Mexico City to attend Dallas Cowboy home games.

Austin is three hours closer to the Mexican border than Dallas, and I imagine that F1 is far more popular than the NFL in central and south America. As such, I'm guessing that the promoters are counting on a substaintial influx of race fans from points south of the border to help fill the stands.

Taken in this light, perhaps the Austin location for the US Grand Prix isn't as kooky as it sounds.

Who knows, maybe it won't even be the US Grand Prix. Instead, it could be the GP of the Americas, kind of like the European GP.

[dalyduo]

Saw an interview on Speed with one of the promoters who said as much, siting their location being between the east and west coast and between South America and Canada. They are focused on an internationally branded event for sure. They've got at least one billionaire backing this 400 million dollar project so they're thinking and acting big. Hope it works out.

Originally Posted by PT Cruiser

Interesting that the track has been named "Circuit of the Americas."

I recently read an article in the Dallas Morning News about people taking bi-weekly bus trips all the way from Mexico City to attend Dallas Cowboy home games.

Austin is three hours closer to the Mexican border than Dallas, and I imagine that F1 is far more popular than the NFL in central and south America. As such, I'm guessing that the promoters are counting on a substaintial influx of race fans from points south of the border to help fill the stands.

Taken in this light, perhaps the Austin location for the US Grand Prix isn't as kooky as it sounds.

Who knows, maybe it won't even be the US Grand Prix. Instead, it could be the GP of the Americas, kind of like the European GP.

[Slowhands]

Originally Posted by dalyduo

Saw an interview on Speed with one of the promoters who said as much, siting their location being between the east and west coast and between South America and Canada. They are focused on an internationally branded event for sure. They've got at least one billionaire backing this 400 million dollar project so they're thinking and acting big. Hope it works out.

Austin is apparently the new best city to live in. Has a Berkeley feel to it, great live music, and the new Silicon Valley.

[Rosso]

Originally Posted by PT Cruiser

Interesting that the track has been named "Circuit of the Americas."

I recently read an article in the Dallas Morning News about people taking bi-weekly bus trips all the way from Mexico City to attend Dallas Cowboy home games.

Austin is three hours closer to the Mexican border than Dallas, and I imagine that F1 is far more popular than the NFL in central and south America. As such, I'm guessing that the promoters are counting on a substaintial influx of race fans from points south of the border to help fill the stands.

Taken in this light, perhaps the Austin location for the US Grand Prix isn't as kooky as it sounds.

Who knows, maybe it won't even be the US Grand Prix. Instead, it could be the GP of the Americas, kind of like the European GP.

The crowd at the Indy F1 events always seemed to be about half international tourists in make up. I know the locals were very surprised by the international influx. Build it, and they will come...

[Slowhands]

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/videos/13...emo-in-austin/

[cdh]

Originally Posted by Slowhands

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/videos/13...emo-in-austin/

"...gave us the opportunity to film a little bit and put a little promotional video together..."

[GregS]

Originally Posted by cdh

"...gave us the opportunity to film a little bit and put a little promotional video together..."

he also drove the circuit which is still all dirt in the same car - there are pix but not video online!!

[Slowhands]

Originally Posted by GregS

he also drove the circuit which is still all dirt in the same car - there are pix but not video online!!

here ya go, buddy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVxQz...layer_embedded

[rslonaker]

Too bad they didn't prep it with some rally tires and crank in all the ride height they could muster and let David rip.

[PT Cruiser]

Originally Posted by rslonaker

Too bad they didn't prep it with some rally tires and crank in all the ride height they could muster and let David rip.

They didn't dare. If fans got a serious look at how much fun it would be to watch F1 on dirt, they'd never be able to pave another race track again!!

[GregS]

Originally Posted by Slowhands

here ya go, buddy!

awesome!! ty

[GregS]

Originally Posted by PT Cruiser

They didn't dare. If fans got a serious look at how much fun it would be to watch F1 on dirt, they'd never be able to pave another race track again!!

ROFL!!!!
what an idea

[cdh]

amazing what's out there although a full-on winged sprint car meets F1 p-shop may be in order

[Rosso]

Ooooooo! They should run a USAC Silver Crown race on it before they pave it! There's not enough water in Texas to work in the track. It would be an enormous dust cloud.

There is precedent for this. USAC roadsters ran against Formula 1 cars a couple of years at Monza back in the '50's and I believe a 100 cubic inch, 2-speed gearbox Watson(?)/Offy won. I forget that name of the races, but I believe that the wining car is in the IMS museum.

Heck, why not make it the A.J Foyt All American Dirt Week? Run dirt late models, supermodifieds, IMCA. Make it a once in a lifetime event. $Million main event purse. Get Tony Stewart on board and the rest will follow. "Race on Sunday, Pave on Monday"

[oldredracer]

Originally Posted by Slowhands

here ya go, buddy!

'Scuse me but isn't that a lot like taking Elle McPherson...bowling?

[cdh]

Originally Posted by oldredracer

'Scuse me but isn't that a lot like taking Elle McPherson...bowling?

Well I did an image search "Elle MAcPherson bowling" and did not find a photo of same....but I would not call it time wasted

[JuliaJ]

Recent pic of progress at Circuit of the Americas from a Lance Armstrong tweet...it's really happening!!!

[dalyduo]

Yes, during this week's India F1 pre-race show they mentioned both the newly revealed NJ circuit along with video of a busy Austin F1 construction site alive with heavy machinery digging and building. There has certainly been talk about the financial politics of building a temporary circuit in NJ that requires no public funding vs the Austin site where the state is kicking in many millions over 10 years from a super fund created to promote economic growth in Texas. The two venues couldn't be more different in location and scope but lets hope there is room and money for both as it would be great to have two F1 races here that could re-spark interest in all other forms of open wheel motor racing here.

[cdh]

Originally Posted by dalyduo

lets hope there is room and money for both as it would be great to have two F1 races here that could re-spark interest in all other forms of open wheel motor racing here.

Hear Hear!