F1 Austin

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by pman10

I disagree. While Austin may be in the center of the country, it's far from the majority of American F1 fans (East and West coasts). Also, it's nowhere near any of the major tourist locations in the U.S. Really wish they had gone with Monticello in NY or tried to get something together in Cali.

This has been a topic that has been under FOM's breathe, but if F1 goes to NY, it will be in the heart of NYC. There is a very strong dream to have a race threw the streets of the Big Apple. This sadly was probably one reason why Monticello didn't land the race. Also, they wanted a purpose built facility I believe.

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by raisemyrent

they once had one at the Caesar's Palace parking lot. it was a disaster

Yup. What a shitty track! See 4:08

[elp_jc]

Originally Posted by pman10

Go to Montreal! Better city, entertaining track, beautiful women, great race-weekend atmosphere. What more could you ask for?

Thanks for the recommendation. Curiously, a friend just mentioned that on a mountain drive last Sunday. If Austin doesn't materialize in 2012, maybe.

Which brings me to the reason for this post: What the heck was the announcement all about? Checked speed, and it says nothing out of the ordinary. Only Nascar crap, and the usual crappy programs. Thx.

[UltimateBMW]

There is now an official website. http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/

The official announcement I believe is that MotoGP will also be using the track.

Austin will get another major motorsports event, a MotoGP race for 10 years beginning in 2013. The announcement was made Tuesday.

MotoGp is something of motorcycling’s answer to Formula One and has an international fan base. The Formula One track being constructed southeast of Austin is being designed to accommodate both F1 cars and motorcycles.

The circuit was officially named Circuit of the Americas. Click here for the circuit’s official website.

Also announced were plans for a three-story convention center that could be used year-round, and a trauma center that will be used as a training facility for area emergency care professionals and medical school students, officials said.

It will also have a large outdoor live music venue, promoter Tavo Hellmund said.

The announcement was made at a press conference this afternoon that featured Speed TV announcer Bob Varsha, investors Bobby Epstein and Red McCombs, 1993 MotoGP champion Kevin Schwantz and others.

Educational partnerships were also announced with Texas A&M, St. Edward’s and Huston-Tillotson universities as well as the Del Valle Independent School District.

In May, Austin was announced as the host city for the United States Grand Prix beginning in 2012. Construction is under way at the site near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and organizers hope to have it completed by June of next year.

The date of the first Formula One race has not been announced.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...ounce_new.html

Here are some extra pictures I just found. The word is that the highly anticipated turn 1 is visible.



And another,

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by UltimateBMW

There is now an official website. http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/

The official announcement I believe is that MotoGP will also be using the track.


http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...ounce_new.html

Here are some extra pictures I just found this. The word is that the highly anticipated turn 1 is visible.


And another,

Wow! Rapid progress for just a year. Fingers crossed that they don't cut any corners; while I do not expect any of the 'razzle' of Abu Dhabi or Singapore, I hope that the track and its facilities are built up to par.

[UltimateBMW]

There is a video on the new website, and it seems there is some hidden footage there.

This looks like an image of their architect model.

[GregTheStig]

That looks like an amazing track! I'm also glad that they're not going the way of USF1...

[Echo M3]

Beautiful track! The T1 run-up reminds me of the A1 ring. That sequence after the first few corners looks like it'll be a blast to drive. I really, really hope they open this track to track days

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by pman10

Beautiful track! The T1 run-up reminds me of the A1 ring. That sequence after the first few corners looks like it'll be a blast to drive. I really, really hope they open this track to track days

The video on the website seems to suggest they will host alot of activities there. I'm with you though, i'd love to be able to go to a track day at a real F1 track.

[MVF4Rrider]

So happy I'm moving to San Antonio this summer! Between BMWCCA and PCA, I'm sure I'm get out on the track at some point.

...and MotoGP in 2013!!!!!

[biglare]

I'm from Austin originally and visit at least 4-5 times per year already! Now I'll have another excuse to go next year!

UltimateBMW... thanks for all the updates and pics!


Subscribed for updates!

[EINSER M]

great find! excited!!!

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by pman10

I disagree. While Austin may be in the center of the country, it's far from the majority of American F1 fans (East and West coasts). Also, it's nowhere near any of the major tourist locations in the U.S. Really wish they had gone with Monticello in NY or tried to get something together in Cali.

You do realize Texas has 3 of the top ten most populated cities in America. NY would be the last place they should have a race, tucked up in the corner of the US. This race will be in driving distance of most of the US. Also MotoGP has signed a 10 year contract. There are two riders from the state of Texas in MotoGP. The MotoGP weekend will attract the huge bike scenes from Cali, Florida, and Texas.

[M3_WC]

Watched the presentation on Speed Center. This facility is going to be top shelf. They said they have a 400 million budget.

Originally Posted by MVF4Rrider

So happy I'm moving to San Antonio this summer! Between BMWCCA and PCA, I'm sure I'm get out on the track at some point.

...and MotoGP in 2013!!!!!

A 10 year contract with MotoGP, that is HUGE!

[Brainofjjj]

The facility looks like it's going to be awesome, thanks for posting. I do wish they had more track with elevation changes. Seems like all the newly built tracks are basically flat with multiple apex corners. Oh well

[Poleposition]

With a 400mil budget, the track should be on par if not exceed the likes of Abu Dhabi and Bahrain in terms of quality of the facilities. The track itself and it's layout and design is a different topic altogether. Tilke has been blamed for the processional races at these tracks but lets hope with all of the elevation changes Texas is supposed to have, things will be different. Im not at all concerned that the facitlity itself wont be top notch. I look forward to visiting Austin. While a part of me agrees with Pman, that Montreal certainly is a great party town, the track is nothing special. There are NO facilities to speak of and the people (women) Pman mentions will be present at ANY F1 race, especially in Texas.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

You do realize Texas has 3 of the top ten most populated cities in America. NY would be the last place they should have a race, tucked up in the corner of the US. This race will be in driving distance of most of the US. Also MotoGP has signed a 10 year contract. There are two riders from the state of Texas in MotoGP. The MotoGP weekend will attract the huge bike scenes from Cali, Florida, and Texas.

You do realize that New York City has double the population of those 3 cities... combined.

This is what the US looks like by population density. "Tucked up in the corner" is grossly inaccurate when talking proximity to large populations.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

You do realize that New York City has double the population of those 3 cities... combined.

This is what the US looks like by population density. "Tucked up in the corner" is grossly inaccurate when talking proximity to large populations.

+1

I think the location was picked for the center of population between east and west coast...logistically speaking...

Its approx 3-4 hours (max) flight from both coast of United States, Canada, and even central America.

Also, picking Austin helps keep the construction cost (land cost) low. and not limited by the surrounding neighborhood. So now they can design a track that they want.

[Blake]

right the down road from me. easy 3 hour drive. i can't wait!!@#!@#$%%#@! now i won't have to fly 7 hours to watch a race!

but at any rate, austin is a great site for formula 1. really eclectic city with a lot of internationally minded people. not saying that NYC or that area wouldn't be great, but the true f1 fans will make it there. only thing i'm really concerned about is austin being able to handle the influx of people. sure, UT plays there and they can handle that, but austin has horrible traffic already and will be lacking in the hotel department if 100k+ people descend on austin at the same time. it'll be interesting to see how they address that.

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by Blake

right the down road from me. easy 3 hour drive. i can't wait!!@#!@#$%%#@! now i won't have to fly 7 hours to watch a race!

but at any rate, austin is a great site for formula 1. really eclectic city with a lot of internationally minded people. not saying that NYC or that area wouldn't be great, but the true f1 fans will make it there. only thing i'm really concerned about is austin being able to handle the influx of people. sure, UT plays there and they can handle that, but austin has horrible traffic already and will be lacking in the hotel department if 100k+ people descend on austin at the same time. it'll be interesting to see how they address that.

I hope there will be plenty of shuttles from the race track to downtown or citycenter...as well as supporting parking facility near by to accommodate all those rental cars....(remember the traffic jam we saw during the Korean GP)...

[escobar929]

that looks to be of hell of a track, hope they are able to race on it next year

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

+1

I think the location was picked for the center of population between east and west coast...logistically speaking...

Its approx 3-4 hours (max) flight from both coast of United States, Canada, and even central America.

Also, picking Austin helps keep the construction cost (land cost) low. and not limited by the surrounding neighborhood. So now they can design a track that they want.

I agree, seems like a central place as far as location, not too far for anyone in the country

[Blake]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

I hope there will be plenty of shuttles from the race track to downtown or citycenter...as well as supporting parking facility near by to accommodate all those rental cars....(remember the traffic jam we saw during the Korean GP)...

well if it's texas, there will be ample parking, i'm almost certain of that. every person has a SUV here and we drive everywhere.