USA Grand Prix Austin (part deux)

[JeremySmith]

All is well at Austin..

[thebear]

Explanation on Sept. 24 of why work has mostly stopped on the construction of the Austin F1 track:

Explanation on Aug. 22 of why work has mostly stopped on the construction of the Austin F1 track:

Good to know that somebody is `watching the store'.

[BobHWS]

Sounds like Tavo wants off this ship. But wait, I thought he was the captain. Isn't he supposed to go down with the...

Slowdown raises questions about future of F1
By John Maher and Shonda Novak
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011

A noticeable work slowdown at Austin's Formula One racetrack site and a possible change in the track's promoter or management is raising new questions about the future of the circuit and the ability of developers to meet a tight construction schedule with the inaugural race now 14 months away.

On Monday, promoter Tavo Hellmund called state Comptroller Susan Combs asking whether a change in management or promoters would affect the circuit's eligibility for money from the state Major Events Trust Fund. The state has pledged $250 million over 10 years from the fund.

Combs said the race would still be eligible for the incentives in a letter Tuesday to Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone. Combs' letter revealed that major investors in the track, including Texas billionaire Red McCombs, haven't secured the rights to hold the race. Ecclestone bestowed the rights to Hellmund, but he has not transferred them to his partners in Circuit of the Americas, according to Combs' letter.

...What's unclear is how a change, any change, would affect a race estimated by some to have a $300 million [ ]annual economic impact on the area. Work has slowed dramatically at the 3.4-mile track in the past few months. Construction of the grandstands, paddock and medical center has yet to start.

[Jacques Rabbit]

Meanwhile, Murphy the Bear (so don't put too much stock in it) reports preparations are being made to start building garages on a proposed site in New Jersey for a 2013 USGP.

I'd have assumed they wanted to have a Montréal/Greater NYC swing in June and an Austin/Mexico City one in October/November to better justify the cost of two trips to North America, but at this point, we could have anything from 0-2 USGPs in the next few years so I have no idea.

Speaking of Austin, the first race on the track is proposed to be a sports car race in September. American Le Mans included it as a TBD date on their calendar (the other, and this is so off-topic, is Detroit in June). So if there is a USGP there in 2012, it won't be the first time cars have seen the track in a competitive setting, which is probably better.

If they can finish by then.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Jacques Rabbit

Meanwhile, Murphy the Bear (so don't put too much stock in it) reports preparations are being made to start building garages on a proposed site in New Jersey for a 2013 USGP.

Any idea where in New Jersey?

[thebear]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Any idea where in New Jersey?

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/05/0...-race-in-2012/

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by thebear

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2010/05/0...-race-in-2012/

Liberty State Park? I thougt that idea had been scotched.

[thebear]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Liberty State Park? I thougt that idea had been scotched.

These are a little more current:

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...host-gp-event/

With map: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...501204538.html

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by thebear

These are a little more current:

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...host-gp-event/

With map: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...501204538.html

Thanks.

Well if either goes ahead, Bernie get's his dream US GP. Wouldn't it be ironoc if he met his demise, just as the New Jersey GP was about to flower; not that I wish it on him.

[Carsandmotorracing]

You guys really think F1 would race in NJ? To close to NYC, which has zero automotive enthusiasts. Unless people from neighbouring states would go...

[thebear]

Originally Posted by Carsandmotorracing

You guys really think F1 would race in NJ? To close to NYC, which has zero automotive enthusiasts. Unless people from neighbouring states would go...

They would probably make a `Festival' out of it. Rock concerts, etc. The race would be just another annoyance to the the `unwashed'.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Carsandmotorracing

You guys really think F1 would race in NJ? To close to NYC, which has zero automotive enthusiasts. Unless people from neighbouring states would go...

It's been Bernie's dream for years to hold a race in New Jersey, with the New York City skyline in the background. Before the Austin venue was confirmed the question about a GP being held in New Jersey reappeared and now it's reappearing again.

Bernie will not rest until he gets his dream GP.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by thebear

These are a little more current:

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...host-gp-event/

With map: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...501204538.html

Has anyone taken a look at the topography of that particular circuit, where it turns off JFK towards the water its a 100 foot drop to what is currently called in Google Earth Country Road 682 which is in itself cut into the slope of the 100 foot drop that then turn onto an elevated sloping section down to the water level. Total drop...or climb if it's run the other way of 150 feet in approximately 400 feet of track.

Ok Google Earth measuremets may not be the most accurate ever but using Street view shows the scale of the slope.

[rblanshard]

Construction has resumed in Austin: http://www.statesman.com/sports/form...l#.TovWq4QPdLc

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

Has anyone taken a look at the topography of that particular circuit, where it turns off JFK towards the water its a 100 foot drop to what is currently called in Google Earth Country Road 682 which is in itself cut into the slope of the 100 foot drop that then turn onto an elevated sloping section down to the water level. Total drop...or climb if it's run the other way of 150 feet in approximately 400 feet of track.

Ok Google Earth measuremets may not be the most accurate ever but using Street view shows the scale of the slope.

I see what you mean and by the same token would Country Road 682 meet with F1's current exacting standards? Getting a recovery vehicle or safety crew, in the advent of an accident, wouldn't be easy.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Carsandmotorracing

You guys really think F1 would race in NJ? To close to NYC, which has zero automotive enthusiasts. Unless people from neighbouring states would go...

To think NYC has zero automotive enthusiasts is downright wrong.



However, "New Jersey Grand Prix" just doesn't have a nice ring to it.

[JeremySmith]

It all has a "nice ring" to it if it works for goodness sake..

[JeremySmith]

This thread is just so odd? But you need to continue, so go ahead..

[Carsandmotorracing]

Originally Posted by Matt

To think NYC has zero automotive enthusiasts is downright wrong.



However, "New Jersey Grand Prix" just doesn't have a nice ring to it.

It was a bit of a over exageration. But how many people living in those apartments care about cars or motor racing. Seriously!

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Carsandmotorracing

It was a bit of a over exageration. But how many people living in those apartments care about cars or motor racing. Seriously!

I know many people in NYC that are heavily into cars and motor racing.

[Carsandmotorracing]

Originally Posted by Matt

I know many people in NYC that are heavily into cars and motor racing.

I'm saying the majority of people.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Carsandmotorracing

I'm saying the majority of people.

If you don't live around the city(I live closer than most people on this site,and I'm consistently in the city), you can't really say anything about it. There's 7 million people in NYC, so you have many fans of racing, just like you have many people interested in anything you can think of.

It is the worlds melting pot in full effect.

[Spritle]

A race in NYC would be a smashing success if all the cars were painted yellow like taxis and the race was held during rush hour on St. Patrick's Day!

In regards to a potential fan base, don't underestimate the melting pot effect; football (soccer) and even cricket have decent participation in NYC. F1 would instantly find legions of fans whose home countries are passionate about our favourite brand of motorsport. You would also have minor sticker shock at the cost of an F1 weekend since just about everything in NYC costs a LOT!

The hardest part, and possibly the most impossible part will be finding the cash. NYC, New Jersey and NY State don't exactly have mounds of cash to throw around and there are some pretty loud voices there that would cry foul at any tax money being thrown away, especially when jobs are being threatened because of budgetary woes. And then there would be the cost to build it, guaranteed to be higher than anywhere else if for no other reason than the power & corruption of labour unions in the NY metropolitan area.

I would love a race there, it would be an incredible venue with glitz & glamour as well as an exciting and fantastic city to go play in before and after the day's events but for so many reasons I don't expect it will ever happen despite the hype.

Austin has volunteered to be the guinea pig for US based F1 in the immediate future. If money is made or rather, not lost by governments in Texas and the venue is a financial success, I expect the drums to beat a lot louder in other cities, maybe even in NY. If it flops, I expect to hear crickets.

We'll know soon enough!

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by Carsandmotorracing

It was a bit of a over exageration. But how many people living in those apartments care about cars or motor racing. Seriously!

I think it is less about those that live in NY City proper (in which the quantity of motorsports fans shouldn't be laughed it!), but also the pull from other areas that are within a few hours drive time. As mentioned above it would most likely setup to be an "event" beyond just motorsports. It would never be another Monaco, but I think it can be compared to any of the other races held close to (or in) a large metropolitan area.

Richard

[boyracer019]

Originally Posted by Matt

If you don't live around the city, you can't really say anything about it.

I don't live in NYC or have even been to it, but trust me I can say plenty of things about it.

I don't even live in America or come to that have I ever been there either, but I know that all Americans are the size of houses and have zero interest in leaving the country because the good old US has the best of everything there is to offer.

The above statement may or may not be true, it may or may not be my opinion of things, it may even be a complete wind up, but and it is a very big but, to say that I cannot have an opinion or express it is just plane wrong - so there