US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation... | Page 104 | 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.
Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. iamthesimpleone

    iamthesimpleone Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2005
    1,598
    austin, tx
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    Ben
    Maybe they already had the other money released from the backers/financing people?
     
  2. davem

    davem F1 World Champ
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    As much as i would love Monticello to host an F1, it would need a lot of changes to make it work. Huge lack of quality hotel space there as well.
     
  3. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

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    http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2011/10/05/construction_still_light_at_f1.html?cxntfid=blogs_formula_austin

    Not sure how to read adjacent property appearing for sale.
     
  4. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Bubba
    Chrysler/FIAT dealership, covered in 500s.....:D
     
  5. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    This area of Austin is sparsely populated, so some rancher/farmer is now thinking how to join in the cash flow.

    I would think, much like Indy, every available open tract will be used for parking of cars and RVs. An actual park with hookups might be an excellent idea (albeit underutilized the rest of the year, most likely)

    I don't think Tavo is bailing, he may be moving attention to other things but as posted above HE holds the deal with Bernie.
     
  6. Schatten

    Schatten F1 World Champ
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    Apr 3, 2001
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    Randy
  7. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

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    Every time I here someone blathering on about the slow down being because they were "so far ahead of schedule",... I lose more confidence. She didn't even sound like she believed it....
     
  8. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2003
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    #2583 BartonWorkman, Oct 8, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2011
    At least they've got a PR spokesperson now. Better than
    Tavo or some attorney tap dancing while taking questions.

    On to the substance though, saying they're ahead of
    construction schedule due to the drought is like the
    government and BP saying that all the oil from the
    Deepwater Horizon debacle has "disappeared".

    Notice though when she mentions 444 days to the
    USGP, the wrinkles on her forehead become much
    more pronounced.

    BHW
     
  9. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
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    I don't think she speaks for COTA. And just for clarity she said 408 days to the GP. She was terrible.
     
  10. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

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    Oh my. This is the best they could offer up ? No pans of the track, a quick point by point update of progress or anticipated completion dates for some of the facilities ? Close to worthless as PR.
     
  11. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

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    #2586 BartonWorkman, Oct 8, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2011
    The video starts out with the Austin Grand Prix logo
    and URL and she states "I am Carrie Olsen with the
    Austin Grand Prix" wearing an shirt and holding a
    microphone sporting the logos again.

    How is it she's not a spokesperson for the Austin GP?

    408 or 444 days, either way, they're going to need every
    spare second of those days to complete construction. If by
    some miracle they're able to pull this off, there are going
    to be a lot of "Wet Paint" signs around when the race
    goes green.

    BHW
     
  12. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

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    #2587 Simon^2, Oct 8, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2011
    Why do you think Austin GP = COTA? The fact that she's outside the fence,... also implies she not a COTA spokesperson. I'll google her name and see what I get...

    Edit:

    According to their own website,... no affiliation.

    http://www.theaustingrandprix.com/

    I think http://www.theaustingrandprix.com/ is an unaffiliated website for Austin GP info. (aka ferrari chat not affiliated with ferrari) Obviously she represents the website,... but seems she doesn't speak for COTA (unless their is some higher ownership of the site that I am not aware).
     
  13. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

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    So in this case, she's working with the promotional
    arm of the USGP at Austin then.

    If not, they'd better get their arms around this quickly
    as we've found in doing events, interlopers or those
    wanting to "help out" can throw things off the tracks
    in an instant.

    BHW
     
  14. iamthesimpleone

    iamthesimpleone Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2005
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    Ben
    completely unrelated; I believe they're the group behind the 'come and race it' shirts
     
  15. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

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    http://nationwide.nascar.com/nationwide-series/news/111009/bfrance-kansas-austin-montreal/

    Does NASCar's Brian France sound a bit skeptical?

     
  16. Andog

    Andog Karting

    Jul 17, 2011
    62
    Southern Illinois
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    Andy S
    This was copied from a page on their website...

    The Austin Grand Prix - US Formula 1 Racing
    Bridging the gap between Austinites and Formula 1 Fans worldwide to welcome Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in 2012
    This site is not affiliated with FIA or Full Throttle Productions, LP.|| Original work protected Copyright © 2011, The Austin Grand Prix, LLC. All rights reserved.
     
  17. Axecent

    Axecent Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2008
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    John
    Just curious, but how many here think a $400,000,000.00 race track in the US has any chance of ever turning a profit? I gotta thank those investors for putting up the money for this.....if it is built, I will come, 'cause it is a gift to us gearheads. And damn straight I will pay $1000 for a track day to ride my bike there.....but Barber was only $200 and it was damn fun, just a long ass drive from central Texas.
     
  18. brian.s

    brian.s F1 Rookie
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    There's a profit when the commercial real estate market goes up and they turn it into another Riverside, CA.
     
  19. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

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    Correct, which makes the sudden appearance of for sale signs of adjacent property curious.

    The land will be worth many times more if / when the track is built. On the other hand, with no track, the land is back to pasteur... so selling now would be smart...

     
  20. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    The wind whistles thru the Press Box of the Texas World Speedway.

    All the glass has been shattered by vandals.......it's a rather spooky place to sit and eat you picnic basket lunch....:D :D
     
  21. Axecent

    Axecent Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2008
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    John
    Everyone in the past lost money (on a NPV basis) on that track, from the builder's to the contractor that took it over in the settlement, to the Japanese owners that spent $14MM 'fixing it'. BUT, the present owners are making money on it and they will come out of it with a profit. They bought it right, and it has a fairly booked schedule. And eventually, it will have significant RE value. They paid 100X less than COTA's estimated cost. BTW, I never look up at the press box.....I've got my eyes on the front straight and turn 1. 8>)
     
  22. Axecent

    Axecent Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2008
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    John
    Does it hit 108F in Riverside? J/K
     
  23. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    Could be profit taking regardless of how high it might go... also could be an estate that is trying to liquidate to finish probate... more likely not a savvy real estate investor at all who was living in the dilapidated mobile home and sees dollar signs today.
     
  24. Axecent

    Axecent Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2008
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    John
    Sell on the rumor, buy on the results. Or sumptin like dat.....
     
  25. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
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    #2600 Simon^2, Oct 13, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2011

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