Hey BTW y'all, our Facebook page was nominated for the Statesman Social Media Awards, here:The Link If you like what we've done here, at Friends of Formula 1 Austin Texas (https://www.facebook.com/FoF1ATX/posts/724931667541651), & on Twitter (@Austin_F1, @FoF1ATX, @vfacundo), go to the link and vote for us...We might get a cool trophy!
We just got news that the Comptroller has approved $1.9M for this April's MotoGP race. It does look like the track requests an amount, contrary to what I posted above in bold type. I was wondering about that after I posted it. Thy submit the Impact Projection along with a request for an amount. The Comptroller decides how much to award, and approves that amount ahead of the event, based on the projected attendance/impact. After the race she can reduce the subsidy in response to events not meeting that projection, but she never does. COTA is also asking for $1.9M for the X Games.
Both WEC and TUSC have COTA on their calendars for September, but COTA's calendar doesn't show them at all. Something weird maybe going on there. Seems almost like COTA's trying to run off all the good racing except F1 & MotoGP. Too bad for all those expensive PSL-holders who were told there would be 5 or more major race weekends per season.
Now it looks like the defense has delayed the court date yet again in the Schwantz v COTA trial: Happy Cinco de Mayo.
Wow. Vance posted this graphic yesterday of a Texas Ahead breakdown of METF and ETF funds pending or already paid to Circuit of The Americas.
COTA did not help their public image with motorcycling when they unceremoniously escorted Kevin (A world champion in 1993 and dare I say it, the most popular American to race in the premier class among other countries for his win or crash bravery on a lesser machine) off premises with warnings of graver consequences if he returned when he was consulting to a racing team that rented the track at retail rates prior to the US GP last year. A WTF is in order here. A 'Free #34' (his racing number) effort to boycott the MotoGP race, along with fairly robust T shirt sales, was successful in the racing and riding community to bring a lot of negative attention to COTA. COTA also leased, then rescinded, then agreed to lease again the track to a motorcycle track day company, Ride Smart last year. Let's just say that it created more bad feelings where they were not necessary. COTA has repeatedly shot themselves in the foot with the motorcycle community, but hey....it won't stop me from going to spectate most racing there. 90 minutes travel to attend those races VS driving to Monterey, CA? No brainer, and now the Laguna Round of MotoGP has been cancelled. And I refuse to go to Indy for MotoGP. It's like voting for political office....I typically choose the lesser of evils. 8>)
He was an original consultant the track design (with Tavo) before it went to Tilke. Like Tavo he was thrown under the bus as COTA took promotions and event licensing in house, so he is suing them. We had some drinks after the MotoGP in an east Austin dive bar....case is still pending I think??
Trust me, Bernie's already been paid..... Cheers, Ian PS - They want to do that to ensure he comes back though!
Indeed!.... Latest I've seen suggests he's not even liable for that and he's hoping the loser (Constantin Media?) has enough $ to pay *his* expenses too..... Gotta love the guy!.... He's guilty of a bribe according to at least 3 judges in 3 different countries, but is totally in the clear so far. I'd also bet he'll walk away from the German case as well! Cheers, Ian
I doubt it. From what I can tell, their m.o. has been to wait until the last possible moment to pay Bernie, and I think they're hurting for money.
Just guessing of course. But, having followed F1 for close to fifty years and watched Bernie's rise and his MO, I'd be very, very surprised if he took the circus there without a lot more than a 'promise to pay' later. There's tens of places that 'want' a GP. He's used to that, and I'm certain says 'ok, put yer money where yer mouth is, and we can talk more.' OTOH, if your 'implication' is that he hasn't been paid the full amount due then I suspect COTA is on very short time..... We know many of the teams want a US race, and maybe that swayed him some, but at the end of the day' 'no pay, no play!'. Cheers, Ian
You may be right, esp given how slow COTA was in paying for the 1st GP. I believe that one was due in June and was paid in September or Oct iirc.
BTW, found this interesting... Very intriguing. Penske & V8 Supercars CEO Warburton teaming to bring V8SC back to U.S. & Mexico after 1-year absence? http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/motor-sport/v8-supercars-negotiate-a-deal-with-racing-legend-roger-penske-that-sees-usa-return-in-2015/story-fni2fug5-1226841473037 Warburton adds that there are 4 years remaining on the Austin contract, which he intends to honor: http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/03/01/five-countries-v8-supercars-expansion-talks/
WEC appoints Andrew Craig to help COTA promote the Austin round of the WEC and get the brand out to North America. WEC appoints former CART boss to support Austin race | Formula Austin | www.statesman.com
COTA has finally put the WEC on it's schedule of events, and now Atherton has come out & talked about it, too. IMSA - Google Translation from Corporate Legalese to English: "COTA barely promoted this event last time around so now, like the WEC who hired a special liaison to make sure the race gets promoted, we're holding their hands and walking them through it step by step. They better be "switched on" & get it done this time around, or there may not be a next time."
OBTW y'all. It looks like Porsche will be out there next week Tues - Thurs. We think they'll be testing the Porsche 919.
Probably so, but not on COTA property. I'll be out at Haywood's Hill near T9-11. I'll get pics for those who can't make it out.
