US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation...

Couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Oh and just for the record Simon I was not pointing my finger at you, I'm a member and past mod of a British/English or what have you website and thats all I hear amongst all the other nonsense.

Merry Christmas,
tex

 

me three

 

Well thats not the case here. The excavation company was hired for prelim site clearing and scraping in order for Geotechnical testing. Main contract has not been awarded....dirt contractor who did prelim is bidding along with many others.

 

Someone please change the title to this thread!

 

+1

 

I think the thread title is hilarious...only seems people from TX are pissed.

 

Not really, Tavio is now "spending money" BUT when actual construction begins he'll be cash flowing HUGE amounts monthly with absolutely no revenue stream to offset it..

THAT will be the part of the experience that will seperate the wheat from the chaff......

Despite the bravado that goes with our heritage, even the Malls of Houston are showing a LOT of blank glass these days...it's going to take an extra large pair, swinging into a headwind to get this done.

More than a tequila brand, I'm sayin'.......

Should I call Austin Commercial for a set of bid drawings?

We can bond up to $100M or so, I doubt there's that much electrical scope in the whole project.........

 

I'll go try to take some pics once I get my car up and running again.

 

Will be a wasted trip Mike. I drive right down 812 everyday on my way to the shop...Aint jack happening... yet..

 

Anyone have a good idea just what the hang-up is?
Permits? Money? Bad time management?

 

Any land clearing like has been said in this thread?

 

has John Paul DeJoria's name come up as a backer?

 

Not that I've heard of.... I hope Tex wouldn't seriously doubt him if he were a backer. I know John Paul... he is not to be underestimated.

 

maybe you should pitch the idea to him then. i'm buy a bottle of patron if it supports a worthy cause

 

Tavo doesn't need any money, that's not the problem at all. I've recently talked to one of Tavo's best friends and all of my concerns have been alleviated. I have no way to convince others that everything is good to go, so I'm not going to even try.

John Paul doesn't need any help investing money... the man never stopped coming up with new ideas and ways to invest his money. I know things about him that people just would not believe. He's a true rags to riches story.

 

Just the prelim stuff done severl months ago. Basic area grades shot. Nothing to do with the track. No machinery on site.

 

The permits are in place. The designer, the construction company, the project management is all (supposedly) in place. So if it's not the money, what is it?

Not to suggest the guy you talked to wasn't being up front, but this is a sales job for all involved. I would expect his best friend to put the best face on it possible, regardless of what it's based on.

The race was given to Austin in May 2010 for a 2012 race. They had maybe 26 months in total to get everything done. They said themselves they needed to break ground in December to have a chance at being done in time. December ends in 2 days and they haven't done anything. They've spent more than 25% of their entire time budget and not a shovelful of earth has been moved.

I can't see any scenario where this is a real project. If it were, earth would be moving. That is where the BS stops - on the ground that remains (so far) untouched.

 

Well therein lies the rub: I don't think it takes 2 years to build a track.

What could possibly take that long? This is the US where we build complex sky scrapers in a few months. A track is basically a 3 mile road with some garages. Big whoop.

Look at India: That race is scheduled for next year and they haven't begun digging yet.

Last year at this point we were talking about the USF1 pipe dream and how they run out of time and I was at the forefront of saying they have no time left. But here we are only talking about a track. They can wait till next December and still make it in time for the summer 2012 race.

 

India has a cooler video though.

 

Thread title edited

 

Thanks!

We'll change it back to "cancelled" when we get there...

 

Damnit don't jinx it lol!!!!!

 

Is there any recent news about Red McComb's involvement?

I suspect it is highly 'conditional'.

The idea that there are 'no money problems' could be similar to me having no money problems........when I win the lottery. Meaning if all kinds of hidden(to the public) milestones are met, there are no money problems.

Someone with construction experience voice an opinion............shouldn't a project like this have more clear, public knowledge about finances revealed by now? Or IS there public knowledge?

 

Ahem......both Moorespeed and myself have done some HUGE work.....

So in those critical path schedules there's always a certain period for "Review and permitting"....no unusual issue there.
Without a copy of the actual schedule it's impossible to say, from the outside looking in, if they are "behind" the original estimate, or not....

And on a private development such as this (albeit with some public monies involved, via tax abatement and incentives) there may not be a lot of information publicly distributed.

I was joking about the tequila obviously....

They have said all along the money part was 'no issue" and depending on who the developer is that's most likely the case..

This track total $$$ is probably less than Gerald Hine's Christmas party bar tab!

Welcome to Texas!!!