Yes, see my post #30, this has been at play for several months - while many here think $25M is a joke (my pockets aren't so deep) it would be a pretty good commitment from the state to show they support the effort and are willing to put $$ where their mouth is..
Camdon 53 sounds like he knows what he's talking about. I live next door in Louisiana and would love to be able to drive to the USGP, but let's be reasonable: 1. There is no track. 2. The land has not been acquired or a site even decided upon. 3. 2012 is only 2 years away ... less if the race is in March or April. How in the world can all this be done in + or - 2 years? 4. If the race isn't in March or April, does the demented dwarf realize what the weather is like down here in the summer? 5. If Bernie was counting on British Petroleum to sponsor this race, then perhaps we have a problem ... 6. There is no culture of racing down here, except for NASCAR. Note that the Texas IRL race doesn't draw much of a live audience. I hope I'm wrong, but this reeks of the Brands Hatch/Donnington scam. Remember? Bernie signs the British GP w Brands and then with Donnington. To what end? To get Silverstone to kiss his ring. What happened? Silverstone kissed his ring. To the Hulman-George family, I suggest you pucker up.
Apparently it has been decided that Tilke will design the circuit and 800 acres of land has been purchased. Looks like this is going to happen. Here is a link to a couple of articles that may help convince some of those who are skeptical. http://adamcooperf1.com/2010/05/26/tilke-designing-austin-track-site-already-purchased/? http://www.cbssports.com/autoracing/story/13444079/promoters-say-austin-site-designer-secured-for-2012-f1-race/rss Mike, Austin Texas, 1978 Merak.
Further to David's post above: -The gov't "pledging" $25mm isn't necessarily (or likely) cash. It may be in the form of tax breaks or other incentives. -If the track costs $500mm to build, they're only short $475mm, if it is hard cash from the gov't. -The talk about "lots of money in Texas" IMO isn't that relevant. F1 sponsorships happen at the national or international level. I don't think any local companies are going to be jumping to dump a lot of money into an F1 race -Remember, Bernie retains the TV rights AND the advertising rights at the track. The track makes money on ticket sales. I think that's it (IIRC doesn't Bernie even get a piece of the track concessions?) There will not be an F1 race in Austin in 2012. Nothing has been committed, nothing is set in stone. Bernie gave TiVo (or whatever his name is) a shot at a hail mary pass. If the guy goes out and gets a billion in funding, then I am sure Bernie will be happy to go with it. But there is a better chance that USF1 will show up at Monza and be granted entry and will win the race than of things coming together for the Austin F1 race. No track. No location. No money. No experience. No sponsors. Nothing but a piece of paper from Bernie and an deadline that's coming pretty quickly. Hellmunds business is registered at his home, and his phone is disconnected. Come on, folks!
Damn. Here I was hoping for something racy, not another single file snoozefest. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl that there's a BIG chunk of land near there that's been granted a multi-year tax exempt status. That might be the $25 million mentioned.
"There will not be an F1 race in Austin in 2012." I'm surprised by the large number of people who take this seriously.
Repeat - If you are skeptical read the two articles I have linked to above! Apparently Helmund (SP?) has known Bernie since he was 16 years of age. Helmund's dad brought F1 back to Mexico in the 80's and was also involved with the World Cup when it was held in Mexico. This is a serious deal. Mike. BTW a tidbit of info - Helmund's roomate while he was in F3 was Rubins Barrichello.
To Texas Mike: Sorry I touched a nerve. But I'm a realist. By the way, I went to the only USGP ever in Texas and went to every CART race ever held there, so my ignorance is not of the depth you suggest. Let's make this friendly ... I'll bet you a case of Abita beer against a case of Amber Bock that there is no USGP in Texas in 2012. And I hope I am wrong!
As Bob Marley once said, "Time will tell..." BTW, I don't really drink beer but if I did it would be a cold Shiner Bock, so you can buy me a case of that.
I know that it is no joke and I think it will happen. I'm specifically wondering about the "within Austin city limits" part but maybe I'm mistaken about the city limits in the east because I hardly ever go there. Most people commenting on this don't know their ass from a hole in the ground.
Explain to me why the US deserves an F1 race... F1 doesn't belong. The US is too arrogant and is not a Global Player. It's major "Entertainment is Nascar and Wrestling". The US is too consumed in itself. There' only a small handful of people that get the F1 world. I watch Dancing with the tards do to my girlfriend and they never mentioned Lewis Hamilton, The F1 World Champion as his girlfriend was competing. 95% of the people probably thought he was some Rap star, 4% knew he was some kind of race car driver and maybe 1% new he was from F1. Why should any money be spent in the US for F1? The ticket prices need to be lower to draw a crowd which means you need a larger crowd to cover the costs. It's a hard sell. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see F1 come back to a great track like Watkins Glen(were it should be) but the commercial side won't let it happen. On my way to Europe to see a proper race... e
Both my wife and I are from Europe and I would never go back there to live! I am a proud American now and am really looking forward to the 2012 USGP in my back yard BTW I love ice cold Shiner too! Mike, Austin TX. 1978 Merak.
So Noodle ... You know you are going to get blasted for that post, right? More importantly, what race are you going to? Keep us posted!
I have no idea what you mean by "too arrogant" and "not a global player". This is by FAR the best place in the world to live, so we're doing something right compared to the others. And because of that, we have a hugely strong economy, and are the richest nation in the world. And because of that, we are the biggest market for Ferrari, Mercedes and many of the sponsors who participate in F1. And that is why there should be a USGP. This is a market that Formula1 needs badly. We have plenty of motorsports in the USA - Nascar, IRL, drag racing, sprint cars and lots lots more. We are definitely a nation that appreciates motor racing. And F1 needs to crack this market. I reject the idea that the USA doesn't 'get' F1 and doesn't deserve a race. That' s a silly argument to make and completely untrue.
Husker..I mean noodle, there is so much wrong with your post. I don't know where to begin. Ticket prices in the US are very low. At least half price compared to the rest of the world. Oh forget it. I almost bought into your trolling. Anyway, I just made a bet and gave 10-1 odds that there won't be a race in 2012 in Austin. Though I hope I'm wrong. It's just Bernie trying to get leverage for Indy.
I am super excited and wish Austin only the best. Austin is one of my favourite cities. Went to SXSW this year and have spent a lot of time there over the years. Congrats!!!!
I haven't booked rooms at the Driscoll yet. I will ride a wheelie in my skivvies down Congress Ave on my Desmosedici if there is a USGP in Austin in 2012 on a purpose built track.
Confirmed Tilke design on Autosport this morning. The new Austin Formula 1 track, which will host the American Grand Prix from 2012, is to be designed by Hermann Tilke, race organisers have announced. Shortly after revealing its 10-year deal to hold the US event, Austin race promoters Full Throttle Productions have now earmarked a site for the circuit and confirmed that Tilke will be involved. The exact location of the venue has not been disclosed, but Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of Full Throttle Productions, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press that its was 'more than 700 acres.' Hellmund also ended speculation about who would design the track by confirming that F1 regular Tilke, the man behind track designs at Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Shanghai, and Sepang, will be involved. Race promoters said the track would be "one of the finest permanent road course facilities in the world. Fans should expect the craftsmanship Tilke is famous for, with a priority placed on green building and a track similar to the great grand prix tracks of previous generations." Carol
Now the bad news. I sure hope it's a better design then his last few tracks. Feff Tilke To Design New Austin Circuit By Jonathan Noble Thursday, May 27th 2010, 07:55 GMT The new Austin Formula 1 track, which will host the American Grand Prix from 2012, is to be designed by Hermann Tilke, race organisers have announced. Shortly after revealing its 10-year deal to hold the US event, Austin race promoters Full Throttle Productions have now earmarked a site for the circuit and confirmed that Tilke will be involved. The exact location of the venue has not been disclosed, but Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of Full Throttle Productions, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press that its was 'more than 700 acres.' Hellmund also ended speculation about who would design the track by confirming that F1 regular Tilke, the man behind track designs at Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Shanghai, and Sepang, will be involved. Race promoters said the track would be "one of the finest permanent road course facilities in the world. Fans should expect the craftsmanship Tilke is famous for, with a priority placed on green building and a track similar to the great grand prix tracks of previous generations."
