USGP 2012, Austin, TX

[WorkingOnIt]

Press conference today.  Circuit has a name, and they have a MotoGP contract.


http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_stori ... -race-site

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/Texa ... d+for+2013

[DFext37 Fielding]

10 yr MotoGP deal, apparently Kevin Schwantz helped negotiate too!

[Bruce Fielding]

Does anyone know personally any of the people involved in creating and/or running this circuit?

I ask for a friend of mine who may be looking for a senior role there...

[Driver]

One of my old room mates (living in Dallas now that the wife graduated from Med School) is involved in the landscape design work. www.tbg-inc.com I doubt that he has any contacts your friend would find useful at his level of involvement.

Note to self: Drive by the old place and take a look when I get the chance. Last time I was by there there were still cows out there.

[WorkingOnIt]

Here's a fan account of the press conference with a lot more detail on the non-racing announcements - education partnerships, performance venues, conference center and this:
"Hellmund indicated he had hoped to announce a deal with a major automaker that would create an on-site testing center for passenger vehicles at the facility. He stated that instead he hopes to announce a deal by the end of the summer with not one manufacturer, which has been completed, but two."
http://www.formula1journal.com/2011/04/ ... -wood.html

Renamed official website: http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com

And a gallery of press conference and site photos:
http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/ ... 11/#164895

[WorkingOnIt]

Site visit video on youTube

Driving Up To Turn 1
Driving Down From Turn 1
View From Turn 1

[quote="Driver"]
...
Note to self: Drive by the old place and take a look when I get the chance. Last time I was by there there were still cows out there.
[/quote]

From Racin' Today:  Tough Times Ahead For Texas Rattlesnakes
"To the relief of a media contingent visiting the site on Tuesday afternoon, uninvited critter activity was limited to a herd of cows that Reed said insist on wandering over from a neighboring property."

[fiestycolumbian]

Date announced: June 17th, 2012

Will be hot in Texas in June. Still would be fun to go to. Any of you guys interested?

fiesty

[NormLarson]

I will be there.  Probably will fly in.

[CalScot]

I plan on being there for sure

[WorkingOnIt]

From the local paper.

"Last year, Austin's high temperature on June 17 was 93 degrees — with 94 percent humidity. In 2008, the thermometer hit an even 100.
...
Nick Craw, president of the 10-member senate of Federation Internationale de L'Automobile, said in an email: "This is the proposed date. The date won't be final until the September or December WMSC meeting.
...
Craw said U.S. Grand Prix promoter Tavo Hellmund and Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone could push the council for a revised race date."

It always seemed to me that coordinating with Brazil rather than Montreal would be the smart move.

Here are this year's June observed and forecast figures.

[Driver]

Last week was miserable here and it doesn't look like it's getting any better in the near future. June-August in Texas is meant to be at the lake (of which Austin has plenty of), tubing down in San Marcos/New Braunsfels or spent in a swimming pool and early evenings at the movies.

If they could make that date 1 month earlier it would be much better chance of nicer weather with temps in the 70's/80's.

[SaturnV]

Whatever the date is, I'll be there.

[wisp]

Facebook page.....      http://www.facebook.com/F1Austin

Youtube trailer....     


It's even rumoured that a round of the Australian V8 Supercar Series could be heading there.... http://www.speedcafe.com/2011/06/27/v8- ... me_oneline

[wisp]

[quote="John Williams"]
It's even rumoured that a round of the Australian V8 Supercar Series could be heading there....
[/quote]

Confirmed today. A five year deal starting 2013. Format looks to be a 3 day race weekend with qualifying and a couple of 36 lap (124 mile) races.

http://www.v8supercars.com.au/newsartic ... fault.aspx

Texas will no doubt get an Aussie and Kiwi invasion at the time.

[WorkingOnIt]

[quote="John Williams"]
[quote="John Williams"]
It's even rumoured that a round of the Australian V8 Supercar Series could be heading there....
[/quote]

Confirmed today. A five year deal starting 2013. Format looks to be a 3 day race weekend with qualifying and a couple of 36 lap (124 mile) races.

[/quote]

And all the people who complained that Texans like NASCAR, not open wheel racing, have something to look forward to.


[quote="John Williams"]
Texas will no doubt get an Aussie and Kiwi invasion at the time.
[/quote]


Maybe the local 5 star restaurant will finally get crocodile on the menu.

Wild Bubba’s going cosmopolitan
http://www.wildbubbas.com/