http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/5/10824.html
WOW!!!! HUGE NEWS!! PS, I used to detail Tavo's Z28 race car after races back in 1995-1996. Cool guy...
This is gonna be HUGE! Lots of info on GOOGLE: One link here - http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/5/10824.html Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited (together, the F1 Commercial Rights Holder) and Full Throttle Productions, LP, promoter of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, announce that a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix for years 2012 through 2021. We are extremely honoured 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 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas as a prestigious global event, stated Tavo Hellmund, Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions, LP. Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group stated: For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event. It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success. Since then, Formula One has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval. Lewis Hamilton won the last Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US. Mr. Hellmund added: 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 a Formula 1 event as well as Austin. Now, many people around the world will have the opportunity to experience a world-class event, facility and city. We are pleased Texas has the opportunity to be involved with Formula 1 and that an event of this magnitude is coming to Austin, said Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. It has been a pleasure working with Full Throttle Productions, LP and Mr. Hellmund on this project. Their tradition of producing successful major events coupled with a thirty year relationship with Mr. Ecclestone has us looking forward to this worldwide event and the benefits it will bring, including local job creation, increased tourism and a significant economic impact added to our state economy. The visibility and prestige of this event will spotlight our state on an international stage. Texas Governor Rick Perry conveyed his enthusiasm for the project, explaining Texas relatively strong economy continues to draw both national and international attention and I commend Comptroller Combs for her work in bringing this exciting event to the Lone Star State. City of Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell continued the positive sentiments, adding "The City of Austin will be proud to host this magnificent event and I look forward to welcoming the participants and fans of Formula One to our City." Full Throttle Productions, LP acknowledges with great appreciation the efforts of all parties involved including Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group, and the local and state officials of Texas. It has been a shared vision and monumental task to reach this agreement. We realize that over the last 30 years there have been one or two missing pieces from the previous editions of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. We have a tremendous opportunity at hand to do it right - to feature Austin as the backdrop and produce the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix as one of the great sporting events in the world, stated Hellmund. In addition to the State of Texas being the 11th strongest economy in the world, it has more Fortune 500 company headquarters than any other state. Key features of Austin include: - State capital nicknamed Silicon Hills for being one of the most important regions in the US for the Technology Industry; - USAs 15th largest city and is located 145 miles from Houston (4th largest US city), 70 miles from San Antonio (7th largest US city), and 180 miles from Dallas (8th largest US city), population in this triangle is over 22 million; - perfectly located geographically for North, South and Central American visitors; - over 130 daily departing international flights within 180 miles; - over 250,000 hotel rooms within 180 miles; - desirable year-round climate, with an average annual temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius); - geographically located in the Texas Hill Country, easily the most beautiful city in the State, and considered one of the most in the US; - hotels/downtown/Formula 1 circuit/airport located within close proximity of each other, which is nearly impossible for any other large city in the US; - world class night life entertainment along renowned Sixth Street; and - large film industry presence - many movies filmed in the area. Austins National Recognition - Known as The Live Music Capital of the World - Voted Greenest City in America (MSN) - Voted Least Stressful Large Metro in the United States (Forbes) - Voted Top Two Best Cities in the United States (Money Magazine) - Voted Top Three Hippest Cities in the United States (Forbes) - Voted Top Five Safest Cities in the United States (Forbes) - Voted Top Ten Sports & Fitness Cities in the USA (Sports Business Journal) Full Throttle Productions, LP is an Austin, Texas, special event and sports production company that provides event conception, event project management, day of event oversight, staffing and volunteer services, venue planning and logistics support. More information on the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix will be forthcoming shortly. In the meantime, all queries should be directed to [email protected].
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is the track going to be? Can I get tickets NOW? LOL - can you tell I'm a bit excited.
LOL.. what other events of this size are there?? We're talking Formula 1 here... I used to personally know Tavo but I haven't talked to him since 1996. He used to have his race cars built by my buddy Jim Pallas at Pallas Motorsports. I used to help out around the shop when I was about 15 & 16. He has some successes but of course he's never pulled off anything of this size before.
2012 is 2 years away. They have to build a world class facility in that time. Don't hold your breath.
I'm kinda with you on this one... The Cowboys stadium started construction in 2006 and was finished in the summer of 2009. Since there probably won't be any homes to demolish, Austin might be able to pull it off if they start RIGHT NOW!! I'm guessing 2013 would be more realistic. How's the traffic in Austin right now? I hope it get's better by race day...
But not a reliable 68dF, we have seen days in Februray as hot as 95, and as cold as 21dF, But if they schedule the race in the "summertime" be prepaired for 100dF+. At least I won't have to drive very far!
"Very interesting!"...... Said the blind man.... It seems the whole idea is being pretty heavily shot-down in the F1 forum..... What do you (local) guys think / have you heard? Will Texas put up a few (MM!) $? I'm still thinking Bernie $ may be involved - That way he gets *everything*, plus the "respect" of all for bringing F1 back to the States (etc). Cheers, Ian
Well I guess that takes Eagles Canyon out of the mix. That is great news for a great city, and to all of us within an easy drive. Anyone know where the property is ? Bad timing on selling the family lakehouse in Marble Falls next week. I'll buy breakfast as Cisco's
Its easy to shoot down the idea, seeing as there is still the business of actually putting up a venue. But cynicism and arm-chair politics aside, its hard to see how this is a bad idea...especially for anyone who lives in the area. Just the prospect of the other series and formula that would stop by to use the same facilities is enough to excite any petrolhead living within driving distance.
I read in one article that stated within 10 miles of the airport... pretty non specific That same article stated it would be about a 3 mile long track, but no details on straight aways I can't wait till 2012!
My Austin cousin heard : "talk of a location near the airport - hwy 17 and toll road 130 area" Was the talk of the town today.
Indeed! Don't get me wrong - I'd love to see it happen, and Austin seems a better bet than many others. But where's the $ coming from? Are the good people of Texas gonna buy in to this "European" racing? I dunno the answers, but at least it seems "serious" (?) Cheers, Ian
Yeah, once I came off of my high from thinking about F1 in Austin, I began wondering where the money would come from. I'm very hopeful, but am betting that it won't really happen...
I saw this on Speed and had to read ot three times before I believed it! It's awesome news. It will get done. I wonder if any oil companies or if Bruton Smith is involved.
