Austin Formula 1 groundbreaking date released... DECEMBER

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/sports/formula-1-groundbreaking-date-released

AUSTIN (KXAN) - KXAN has learned new details on the groundbreaking of Austin's Formula 1 racetrack. A source close to the project says groundbreaking will take place in December.

The track should be complete by June 2012, with the racing series debuting here shortly after. The series is scheduled to run through 2021, but officials have not yet released the location of the track. Promoters say that information is expected sometime next week.

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Well, let's see what they say next week .....

 

That it will be the next week! Then The Next Week! Then............... We shall see. I just hope it does happen. I am ready to go already.

 

Does the group behind this track have a secondary option with the facility, like as a motorsport country club? I would assume so, and I wouldn't interpret progress on the track construction as clear signs that the Austin GP is a "go".

 

Just like every other major road course in America, it will host SCCA races and car club track days throughout the year. And as "America's f1 circuit" I'm sure you'll see an AMA motorcycle race and either a Rolex Sports Car Series or a American Le Mans Series race. Maybe even the IRL? Whatever it is, there will be PLENTY of busy days for the track.

 

More writing on the wall...

Is anyone reading?

 

It's going to be a small portion of the total concrete poured for a Commercial Airport.......no word if the back straight doubles as Runway #4...

I doubt it......

 

Austin's 'Club Track' is one the other side of town......

 

No kidding.

If, as claimed...

-the money is in place
-the permits are no problem and are fast-tracked/approved
-this is a serious venture

there would be excavators rumbling to the track area now.

DECEMBER? That's over 6 months. Why on earth would they wait? Because, the financing is not in place, Tavo had to push back to the latest date possible that would be somewhat believable to give himself the longest time possible to try to put this deal together.

Also gives Bernie the maximum time possible to negotiate with Indy.


Sham from the get-go.

 

I don't know. Or at least I hope not.

USF1 was totally obvious to me that it was a scam, but here I don't see the writing on the wall. Maybe I'm blind, but I don't think it is unreasonable to start digging in December. And it would be enough time to build the track etc. Just look at South Korea. And that was South Korea and not the US or even Texas where things get done.

For now I remain a believer. Until I hear something about ultra strong US carbon fibre.

 

Thing is, if what Tavo says is true - the money is there, the permits were already approved, financial backers are committed, and they have a race contract with Bernie.

Why are they waiting 6 months before they start? What possible reason would there be to wait?

 

Environmental study? That's just one possibility. We are one of the greenest cities in the US.

 

If it were true it would be a press release, not a "source close to the project".

 

Too much mystery. If it were all over 'cept the construction, they'd show their hand. Something's missing.

My thought: money (financing commitment not the same as having the money) & entitlements.

 

When it comes to problems money tends to be the most likely.

 

I do hope not! I dunno about Texas, but here in CA that would probably add 2-3 *years* to the project before a single JCB can touch the ground! OK, it appears that permits can be steamrollered thru, but if the greenies get involved I suspect it's all over.....

The guy that bought Sears Point, (the Nascar guy that also owns Bristol among others IIRC?) said he would never have got involved had he known how much the "Californian lesser spotted 3 legged toad" was gonna cost him - Literally years in delays for a critter that was never found - He came on local TV once and offered a significant bounty to anyone that could find and bring him one of the little suckers, "so I know what's cost me millions of $!"

Cheers,
Ian

 

Truer words never spoken. I'm sure Tavo has "commitments" and "letters of intent" etc - Trouble seems to arise when the time comes to belly up to the bar and start handing over the $..... [Maybe these legendary backers need a few more months to get their money together? ]

Cheers,
Ian

 

Legendary, another word for mythical?

 

A member here says he's seen the "prospectus" for the project. I'd love to see that document. I'm sure their projections would make my day.

In fairness to the "project," the Texas Comptroller is the sourse of the construction news:

"The local KVUE News quoted Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, who attended the recent British Grand Prix, as saying groundbreaking at the unconfirmed site is set for late this year with a completion date set for June 2012." I wonder how sophisticated Susan Combs is.

 

Indeed - A much more apropos choice - Thankyou

 

Messing with Texas.
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So, one month of this year, 12 months of 2011, plus however many months of 2012.....

There's lots of ways construction can be fast tracked, modular structure cuts fabrication/installation times....

Still, until I see a BIG name construction company stepping up with Performance Bonds, it's really starting to look strange.

Why would you lose 6 months on the services infrastructure?

If I had a Notice to Proceed dated today from a known customer, I'd be mobilizing the job by the end of the day....

 

Had to deal with their office a few weeks ago, no problems with what I was doing.

 

Nothing is out there but they might still have to do an environmental impact study. I'm really not sure.

 

That member you are referring to is David Moore of Moorespeed Race Engineering. He's a consultant on FChat and he has many connections in the racing & Ferrari communities. If he thinks it all looks legit, then I believe it. Things can fall through with any project so nothing is a done deal until it's completed.

 

As a sewer, water and drainage contractor who works with paving contractors every day, the timeline looks doable for the track and infrastructure. Have no idea on buildings and grandstands. I would think they need the 6 months between now and December for the engineers to get their plans designed, and approved by the city or cities involved, and then put it out to bid.

A cookie cutter subdivision for 200 homes can get turned around in 12-18 months from, design to completion, so this seems possible to me. With the big Z, Zachry located just down the road, and all the national boys in Texas already fighting for the Highway Department work, there will be a lot of interest in the project, and timeframes can be shortened by these large contractors, who can work 24/7 when they need to.

Texas has a can do attitude, and I believe it will get done.

Flame on !