USGP is back in Austin, TX (merged)

I hear you. But, this is also on the Bernie-site with "good" quotes from the politco's. The other locations recently discussed were never backed by anyone it seems.

Maybe Bernie is spending some $ to make it happen?

As Joe noted, the other thing is what appears to be a complete lack of Tilke - So far at least....

Cheers,
Ian

 

That is great news, I knew there had been discussion going on about 6 months ago but thought it was wishful thinking... I am stoked!

 

Interesting, that's for sure...

Why not.... well... Somewhere else?


_J

 

+1


_J

 

...what if the Lone Star Star was kicking in $25-30M to jump start the project, would that give it a little more cred?

 

I'm seriously excited about this, everything seems to make sense about it. Austin is a trendy area with great scenery and plenty of room around the city for a large facility. I don't think many Texans would complain about noise either! Also, as stated in the F1.com article Texas' economy isn't all that bad. Everything seems to be in place for it to work in my eyes

 

From his Dad in Mexico?

 

I am friggin' pumped! That means that AMA and MotoGP will likely have a home for arace there, too! And then there are track days.................

 

No... $25-30 million won't go very far.

 

I can't wait! That is of course only if it does actually happen. Maybe when they actually break ground? or when they actually start to sell the tickets? When it actually does come true, I'll believe it. But until then I will just have some wishful thinking.

 

I hope so. New purpose-built F1 track= another one from the Tilke factory. Considering we have some awesome existing tracks in this country I dunno why they would'nt pursue one of those.

 

I'll believe it when the teams send their gear for the first race. I mean they're still saying that Korea might not happen this year... and they definitely have a track...

 

Now that I think about it Austin does seem to be a good fit, its a very liberal, very green city. its becoming well known for entertainment, and the economy is still strong down there.

 

Their existing raceway is located as follows:

Located just outside of Austin on IH-35 in Kyle, Texas. Exit #210 (Yarrington Road)

Means nothing, I think that is Harris Hill Raceway, a small track that hosts trackdays.

 

seems unlikely. a location for the track has not even been selected. it's just another way to pressure indy.

 

No way! Awesome!!!!!

 

I will belive this when I see it.

Bernie is not above doing **** like this to put pressure on someone else, like Indy.


If it happens I will go.

 

If it happens, I will go too!

But I'm not booking my hotel just yet.......

 

I would say probably not... the Dubai track cost well over a billion dollars to construct. Shanghai was half a billion, and it goes without saying that construction costs in the USA are significantly higher than in Dubai or China.

I would dearly love a world class purpose built track in the USA... but when you look into "Full Throttle Productions" and it's owner, there just seems to be very little substance there. They organized a NASCAR race that seems to have been a flop, and have been involved in sales of tickets for a couple of other events. And now they are bringing F1 to the USA?

I believe there is probably way more than meets the eye here. Bernie is grasping at straws, and I imagine he does not have his ASSets on the line on this one. I think there are probably a ton of people who would love to try to put this deal together - I'd love to try it and I am sur eothers would too. I would imagine the next step is to find the money to build the track. That is going to be very hard to do in this climate with the only tangible asset appearing to be a promise from Bernie to host the race.

F1 is infinitely bigger in the UK than the USA, and Donington and that guy (I forget his name) weren't able to do it. It ended up being a poker chip in his negotations with Silverstone. Considering F1 just isn't big in the USA, and that the track would have limited use other than for F1, and that it would be pretty hard for US companies to finance this deal based on the ROI, I think the organizers of this event are going to have a near impossible task.

If the state is kicking in $$, then good.. I would imagine it's based on the ability to raise the necessary funds. And I doubt that will ever happen.

This has USF1 written all over it again - I expect a spectacular failure over the course of the next 12-18 months.

 

Great news if it really happens!

I used to clean Tavo's Z28 after races back in 1995-1996.

 

Woohoo!!!!

 

Hmmmmm........not sure what to think.....

"Purpose Built Track"........maybe, but not a permanent one???????
It does say permanent in the release...isn't our 430 Challenge Champion a dirt mover?????

I worked for Newman/Haas implementing the track thru downtown Houston.

THAT is pretty "doable" and the barrier system is still here, somewhere.
They used parts of it when they moved the track to the Astrodome Parking Lot.

I hate to throw cold water but Phoenix thought they had a five year deal when Bernie last came to town. It was a wasteland and the track construction managed to alienate all the downtown venues....

The Legislature is in Austin you know, we bake micro chips, sure, but we specialize in Hot Air........

......and empty promises.........

 

I caught wind of this over a year ago from someone I know who told me he along with a few others met with Bernie and were bringing F1 to Austin. It was around April of last year and I had dinner one night with the former mayor of Austin Will Wynn. I quizzed him about the F1 deal and and he told me under any circumstances no way it was going to happen as Austin was already in trouble meeting EPA regs on Ozone depletion, etc. etc.

Thus, I thought my contact was blowing smoke up my arse but I guess today is evidence he was not.

 

..."excellent traffic infrastructure"........



BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!


Let's zoom in, on today's view of the IH35 Expressway parking lot.........


BWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!!!!!!!!!!


No rail, no public transportation at all, except a minimal bus system...

The middle picture of the 'Fall Color' is a Pshop...outside of the Lost Maples State Park in Bastrop, trees in Austin come in two colors, green...or brown. LOL!

 

Hah just saw this news on Lance Armstrong's twitter. Would be amazing if they brought F1 to Austin. I think downtown and 6th street would definitely be able to handle the party atmosphere that an F1 race would bring. If F1 makes it way to Austin in 2012 I for sure will be in attendance.