USGP is back in Austin, TX (merged)

+1.

 

In that he's the default designer its not really news.
If they want to demonstrate viability let's hear about funding and what sort of business plan they have that will allow a profit. How many F1 venues break even let alone make money with FOM taking the all the TV dollars?
I'm still looking for a reason to believe.

 

+2

 

Well darn...I was hoping for no Tilke. 700+ acres SOUNDS large...is it? I wonder if they are planning to develop more than a track there. Someone mentioned that they are considering developing their own airport as well. That seems terribly ambitious when considering the project as a whole.

 

We should all know by now that Tilke is Bernies prefered designer so it comes as no surprise to me but I feel your anguish. 700+ acres is really not that large if you consider all that it would entail to make it a 'world class' venue. If they are considering an airport I agree that it is abit ambitious when it will be so close to the airport but then again there are alot of private pilots who would enjoy flying directly into the venue without the conjested commute back to the airport after the race.

 

"Someone mentioned that they are considering developing their own airport as well."


And the US "Larger Hadron Collider."


And they are going to bring about US energy independence (from SPEED):

"One of the key elements that has helped to generate funding is that aside from F1, the circuit will be used to help develop alternative fuels."

 

That seals the deal - it's definitely a sham.

 

Yeah...I'm certainly not surprised, I was just hoping on the .0001% chance of him not designing it. He was not mentioned in the initial press release. I thought the 700+ acres was probably smaller than I thought.

As a private pilot, I would REALLY love to fly into the race. What a great way to go...

I'm dying laughing at "Larger Hadron Collider." Don't forget it will also serve as the launch facility to our manned missions to Mars.

 

I get the feeling that there is just a little tinge of jealousy from those that live north of the Mason Dixon line and maybe some a little to the south of that. We Texas country hick red necks will put on a fine GP for you'all and we will make you very welcome when you are here.

Mike,
1978 Merak.

 

Tru dat... Austin is not like the rest of Texas. It will be interesting to see the comments after everyone has such a great time in our awesome city.

 

True dat!!! It is not a case of "what we have here is a failure to communicate" but a case of "what we have here is a failure to be optimistic".

 

Not in the least amigo.
We'd love to partake of your hospitality at a USGP.
Its just we've been fooled before.

 

AFAIK, the plan is to develop an industrial/commercial complex that will employ initially 4,000 people with a vision to grow employment to 40,000. The airport will be a part of it and the F1 track is just the cherry on the cake. I don't know the race promoter but he is just the F1 guy. They are trying something groundbreaking with this whole thing and apparently figured that F1 will spotlight them globally. They have hit the right nerve at the right time at the right place for all of this stuff. Think green.

None of the above should be interpreted as containing any knowledge of or speculation on the ownership and financing arrangements of this whole deal, just a rough outline of the "plan" for that corner of the city. I'm sure the details will all be revealed in due time.

 

Don't let the Indy GP taint your taste buds.

 

You're harsh! [Probably right, but harsh ]

All joking aside, a "green" tie in could work very well - Austin is pretty "high tech" and if they built something like an "alternative energy research center" along with a MIRA style testing/proving grounds it could just work (IMHO) - IIRC there's a LPG/hydrogen testing facility near LA that's funded by many auto-makers (at least in part). - Maybe they could do something similar...... Placate the tree huggers, prospect of lots of news jobs, get the industry onboard.... Who knows?

The timing may just be right (?)

OTOH, "$200MM from unnamed investors" does make me a little nervous

And it sucks Tilke's involved again! Maybe, if the site has some elevation change (?) he could surprise us - Hopefully he's learning....

Cheers,
Ian

 

I was thinking more of all the trial balloons we've seen from Bernie that either crashed or never took off. From NYC to N.J. to Montecello to Donnigton....
I follow R.R.'s advice and trust but verify.

 

It is not as much as people think. A residential highrise downtown can cost -and is costing- almost as much.

 

Interesting angle about the 2012 date - was this chosen in regards to possible pressure on IMS regaining the U.S. F1 slot? While 2012 is likely too ambitious for anything in Austin, it does make some sense if Bernie is working a 2-4 year out timeframe with the Indy folks.

'course, -if- Bernie does end up back in Indy, it'll be interesting to see how he back peddles on the Austin setup.

 

And unlike a GP can be expected to return a profit.

 

+1

However, if done "correctly" maybe it's the entire facility that could turn a profit? Maybe the GP could be something of a "loss leader" in the overall scheme of things (?) - If they build lots of industrial space, a proving ground, a hydrogen dispensary and so on *maybe* they could afford to lose $ on one race a year (?)

Cheers,
Ian

 

It depends on the accounting. Profit for organizer, city, state? Of course anything is possible but the state of Texas is in relatively good hands when it comes to finances and I actually trust their conservative fiscal policies quite a bit. It is as good as government gets. Now, if this project took place in any of my previous home states of MA, NY or CA I'd be LMFAO.

 

He wouldn't peddle, he'd be floating. Face down.

 

Apparently the site does have elevation changes but they do have to meet Bernie's specifications. I am hoping this will not be a flat featureless circuit but something unique. Probably wishful thinking - but we can hope.

On another note $200 mil does seem rather low. I would have thought somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 mil. I now suspect most of the money is coming from Mexico. The USA is changing fast and Mexican money and influence is increasing. The rich in Mexico are unsure of their countries future and are worried that the geopolitical situation could spiral into anarchy. I think there are some who are investing in the USA in solid tangible assets and in this case we a talking land, airport, and GP circuit. I know of other very wealthy Mexicans who have invested in "things" - a growing trend. If Mexico cannot have a GP then having one in the USA relatively close to the border is the next best thing.

Mike,
Austin TX.
1978 Maserati Merak.

 

"Don't mess with Texas!"

I am a little surprised we haven't (yet!) heard any of the politico's calling for it to be "The Texas GP" or "The Lone Star State GP".

Cheers,
Ian

 

"We lose a bit on every unit but make it up in volume" school of economics?
Show me an organizer who has built a facility in the recent past who is turning anything that can be interpreted as a profit. The idea that it can be done in a country with high labor and construction costs goes against all experience and logic.