US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation... | Page 7 | FerrariChat

US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation...

Discussion in 'F1' started by Simon^2, Jul 5, 2010.

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Now that Austin is on the official FIA calendar, will the race really happen?

  1. Yes, it will happen.

  2. No, no way for construction to finish.

Multiple votes are allowed.
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  1. Wolfgang5150

    Wolfgang5150 F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
    4,706
  2. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
  3. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
    Full Name:
    David
    At least there was something in Korea we saw the same way.
     
  4. Wolfgang5150

    Wolfgang5150 F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
    4,706
    http://www.statesman.com/business/formula-one-race-organizers-track-designers-setting-up-1001353.html

    Formula One race organizers, track designers setting up shop in downtown Austin

    Downtown Austin is getting two new high-profile tenants: the organizers of the planned Austin Formula One race and Tilke GmbH, the German engineering firm that's designing the F1 track scheduled to open in 2012.


    Both tenants will occupy space in 301 Congress, a 22-story building owned by Houston-based Hines and the California Public Employees Retirement System pension fund.

    The local Formula One group has signed a lease for 3,010 square feet on the second floor, where local promoter Tavo Hellmund has moved in.

    Peter Wahl, managing partner of Tilke, said last week that Tilke's office would be down the hall from Hellmund's group. Wahl said he didn't know exactly how many people — perhaps six to eight — would be working at the Tilke office. Tilke is leasing 1,000 square feet.

    Travis Dunaway with Endeavor Real Estate Group represented the tenants in the lease transactions. Chad Barrett with Aquila Commercial LLC represented the landlord.
     
  5. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    Seems awfully quiet in Austin...
     
  6. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 21, 2006
    34,882
    North Tay-has
    Full Name:
    Kurt
    Meh - Lost me at "Tilke" anyway.

    Austin has great natural terrain; no need for his bland atrocity.
     
  7. Wolfgang5150

    Wolfgang5150 F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
    4,706
    I thought this was posted recently - guess not....
    Cowboys Stadium architects to design Austin's Formula One complex
    By John Maher
    AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
    Updated: 5:05*a.m.*Monday,*Nov.*22,*2010
    Published: 11:07*p.m.*Sunday,*Nov.*21,*2010
    Promoters of the U.S. Grand Prix are going to Cowboy up.

    Dallas-based architectural firm HKS Inc. has been hired to design much of the proposed $250 million Formula One complex on a 900-acre tract southeast of Austin, although not the circuit itself. HKS is perhaps best known for its work on the Dallas Cowboys' futuristic, $1.2 billion stadium that debuted this year.

    German engineering firm Tilke GmbH is designing the 3.4-mile circuit at the site.

    Mark Williams, principal with HKS, said in a statement: "We are honored to work with Tilke, a global leader in racetrack construction, and the entire Formula 1 United States team. Our design expertise, coupled with this world entity, will result in a destination environment that will elevate the face of Formula 1 United States on a global scale and further enhance one of America's great cities."

    Tilke has done most of the recent design or redesign of the tracks used in F1 racing. Although sometimes criticized by F1 fans for producing predictable races, the Tilke tracks are usually dazzling.

    So are the new digs for the Dallas Cowboys, featuring a 160-foot long, 600-ton video board as the showstopper.

    Internationally, HKS is known for, among other things, its work on the English Premier League's Liverpool Football Stadium and Estadio Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

    HKS was founded 71 years ago and now has 23 offices worldwide.

    The firm has designed everything from health care facilities to vacation getaways such as Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort.

    In sports, HKS projects include the $720 million Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and the renovation of Dodger Stadium.

    In Texas, the firm's projects include Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, the American Airlines Center in Dallas and Dell Diamond in Round Rock, as well as the Whole Foods Market headquarters and flagship store on North Lamar Boulevard.

    The firm is known for its innovative, themed work with baseball parks, including Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi.

    The first U.S. Grand Prix in the Austin area is slated for 2012 and is scheduled to be held there through at least 2021. Construction has not begun at the race site, but promoter Tavo Hellmund has said that December is a target date for breaking ground.

    Tilke representatives have said they are not worried about missing the 2012 deadline.

    Recently, the project has been getting the needed approvals from various city commissions.

    Other Texas and Austin-based firms associated with the project include Carlson, Brigance & Doering; Kimley-Horn and Associates; Terracon Consultants Inc.; Rocket Red; Miro Rivera Architects; 3 Point Partners; Horizon Environmental Services; Michael E. James & Associates Inc.; Walter P Moore; Kaminski Interests Inc.; MBC Consultants Inc.; Haynes-Eaglin-Waters; and Armbrust & Brown.

    Of the pairing of HKS and Tilke, Hellmund said in a statement: "Having industry leaders in sports facility architecture and design raises the bar for future motorsports facilities in this country and around the world. We are pleased that a collaboration of this caliber will take place in Texas."

    [email protected]; 445-3956

    Sound like it's still moving forward to me....
     
  8. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    You'd think he's the only guy on the planet capable of designing a race course (not that his are so good, in my opinion). I have no doubt that there's some financial tie back to Bernie.

    Speaking of terrain, the best tracks in history have been sympathetic to their environment....Nurbergring, Spa, Laguna Seca, Zandvoort, Suzuka, Watkins Glen, Brands Hatch, to name just a few. Let's hope that Tilke lets the terrain help him his design the track.
     
  9. Wolfgang5150

    Wolfgang5150 F1 Rookie

    Oct 31, 2003
    4,706
    Agreed about the terrarin; here's a good comparison

    F1 Austin Elevation change,

    Nurburgring Nordschleife (not F1): 984ft (300m)
    Mazda Laguna Seca: 300ft (91.4m)
    Road America:..........171ft (52.1m)
    Infineon Sears Point: 160ft (48.8m)
    Watkins Glenn (full):..141ft (42.9m)
    Suzuka:....................131ft (39.9m)
    Silverstone:..............16ft (5m)

    Austin, Texas: 133ft (40.5m)

    Some say it is similar to how much elevation change Brazil's Interlagos has, but less than Spa or Turkey. Does anybody know who much elevation change these tracks have?
     
  10. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,368
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    The variance for "fill" (adding dirt) is around 25', IIRC...so it's "natural terrain" plus or minus that....LOL!

    I'll take a food order into 301 Congress next time I'm in town and see who I can find to sign for it.....Stubb's will get us in the door.......
     
  11. thirteendog

    thirteendog Formula 3

    Mar 6, 2008
    1,587
    Nashville, TN
    I hate the title to this thread. Seriously I get so pissed off everytime I see it. Such negativity, It's almost like you guys don't want it to happen.
    Just thought I should say something. I hope it happens, and when it does I'll be there.
     
  12. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    I don't think anyone is hoping it doesn't happen,...

    Some of us just don't see a viable profitable project here and are skeptical.

    Tavo has admitted he can't meet deadlines before a teaspoon of dirt has been moved.

    I would love to see F1 return to the US. But another unprepared dreamer failing at an F1 venture in the US in 1 or 2 years is not good for the sport return.
     
  13. AMA328

    AMA328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 12, 2002
    2,518
    ABQ-67me68-OKC :)
    #163 AMA328, Dec 6, 2010
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2010
    The blurb says December 'target date' for breaking ground...better hurry, Santa's on his way...and, is that 'December 2010' ?? No year mentioned :)

    Fine w/me if'n I'm wrong on this one, but I still have a hard time believing this is gonna happen. I wouldn't count too much on the State of Texas, as Gov. Perry advertised during the recent election about how he has Texas on a 'Balanced Budget'. Only problem is, the State's about $20B short, depending upon which news article one reads/sees.
     
  14. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    Christmas Eve.

    Seems certain that the ground breaking date will be missed / delayed.
     
  15. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2007
    99,759
    Santa's reindeer will dig up some dirt as they cruise by.

    maybe a unicorn or two will stop by and help.

    can Bigfoot operate heavy machinery?
     
  16. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Oct 22, 2007
    22,232
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Gregg
    See ya at the race Simon and bring your F40 because I get too drive it lol! Hey just throwing some fertilizer ontop of your fertilizer, all in good fun.
     
  17. speedmoore

    speedmoore Formula 3
    BANNED Professional Ferrari Technician

    Apr 15, 2003
    1,541
    Austin, Texas
    Full Name:
    D Moore
    Preliminary site clearing is done according to our resident dirt boy Redcar1
    So "technically" they have broken ground.
     
  18. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
    23,397
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    Ian Anderson
    I wonder if that was "Bernie escape clause #1"?...... ;)

    But hey, if they can do it in Korea surely Texas can get 'er done? We now know of course that the requirement to hold a couple of meetings prior to the GP is BS, as is the 90 day inspection.... I can see 'em laying the track on Thursday afternoon if it suits the pygmy :)

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  19. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
    10,485
    Austin, Texas
    Full Name:
    Michael C
    +100000
     
  20. SSNISTR

    SSNISTR F1 Veteran

    Feb 13, 2004
    8,046
    SFL
    Amen to that.
     
  21. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Oct 22, 2007
    22,232
    Houston
    Full Name:
    Gregg
    Would be nice too see some 'spy pics' so I can shut up a few other "F1 in America is BS" naysayers.
     
  22. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    Nothing would make me happier than to see some sign of progress.
     
  23. kosmo

    kosmo Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2008
    1,569
    BIg D
    ditto
     
  24. YellowS2KVTEC

    YellowS2KVTEC Formula Junior

    Apr 12, 2009
    291
    Colorado Springs
    agree
     
  25. Formula1Fan

    Formula1Fan Formula Junior

    Mar 7, 2006
    321
    Hot Springs Village
    Full Name:
    Jerry Schutz
    Hauling some equipment out and doing a little clearing to meet contractual requirements for job start is a standard ploy with some contractors. Then they park the equipment and come back when they are ready to get going, only they know when. In this case, let's hope it's just for the holidays, so we can see real progress in January.
     

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