USGP - Austin, Texas gets the decision from 2012
Discussion
The last race track in Austin, the Austin Raceway Park - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=30...
On the original track - "Some of the track's financial problems are said to have been due to its location across a county line, with both counties determined to levy taxes on it. Also, local farmers were unhappy with the noise from the cars upsetting their cows. A memorable feature of the track was the converted oil-drilling derrick that served as the control tower. "
You can just make out part of the layout. Closed in the 1970s and partly built upon.
So it's a blank canvas for the track, but Austin is very flat isn't it?
On the original track - "Some of the track's financial problems are said to have been due to its location across a county line, with both counties determined to levy taxes on it. Also, local farmers were unhappy with the noise from the cars upsetting their cows. A memorable feature of the track was the converted oil-drilling derrick that served as the control tower. "
You can just make out part of the layout. Closed in the 1970s and partly built upon.
So it's a blank canvas for the track, but Austin is very flat isn't it?
Photos of original Austin Raceway Park - http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?...
A couple of places that they could put it. There's the old municipal airport, about 2 miles north of the centre, although there are plans to build on that.
There's a short oval track about 20 miles south of Austin that the promoter of the GP has a lease on, so they could develop that, although the site's probably too small.
Aside from that there's some boggy ground north of the current airport. A lot of the land around the city is protected, which will limit things a bit.
There's a short oval track about 20 miles south of Austin that the promoter of the GP has a lease on, so they could develop that, although the site's probably too small.
Aside from that there's some boggy ground north of the current airport. A lot of the land around the city is protected, which will limit things a bit.
Why not just race at an established track, one that has heritage, spectacle and will guarantee American interest? Austin Texas? I somehow doubt the locals will be interested in spending several hundred dollars to watch F1, on an unknown track, when they can spend far less to watch Nascar?
FourWheelDrift said:
So it's a blank canvas for the track, but Austin is very flat isn't it?
It is quite flat around Austin, although it was described to me as hill country when I was invited to go there for a weekend, there certainly are rolling hills around Austin so it needn't be a flat featureless circuit.Let see what they come up with before condemning it.
I've got a better idea, a Welsh Grand Prix at Llandow. The circuit is already laid, there are some excellent viewing opportunities from the earth banks and there are quite a few local pubs that should be able to open up a few rooms if you want to stay over. The sheep could be put away for the weekend.
This is not a Tilke designed circuit* and has plenty of overtaking opportunities. At just over a mile in length exciting racing will be guaranteed and it has heritage - former world champions Jody Scheckter (Escort Mexico), James Hunt (Chevy Camaro) and Graham Hill (Datsun Bluebird) have all raced around the challenging oval :
This is not a Tilke designed circuit* and has plenty of overtaking opportunities. At just over a mile in length exciting racing will be guaranteed and it has heritage - former world champions Jody Scheckter (Escort Mexico), James Hunt (Chevy Camaro) and Graham Hill (Datsun Bluebird) have all raced around the challenging oval :
- the circuit was designed in the early 1960's and, long before Tilke nicked the idea for Shanghai, the layout reflects the Welsh character "O" - in deference to the local seaside village of Ogmore.
FourWheelDrift said:
And they have been speaking to him for 'a few years' about a race there and no one new!Very clever of Bernie to feed the media with info about NY race knowing Austin was looking the best.
Anyway, my mate lives in Austin....have already emailed him to book his spare room
moffspeed said:
I've got a better idea, a Welsh Grand Prix at Llandow. The circuit is already laid, there are some excellent viewing opportunities from the earth banks and there are quite a few local pubs that should be able to open up a few rooms if you want to stay over. The sheep could be put away for the weekend.
Sprint there on Monday! Think it's a bit small for F1 cars though.I just don't see this happening. Austin is too small a city regarding hotel rooms, the airport, hospitality etc.
Why the corporate bond holders and the suits who own F1 don't spend money doing research on the demographics of sports in the US amazes me? Where is the US $ 300 million going to come from to build the track, the medical facilities, the grandstands and the pit boxes / media facilities?
Are people going to travel from Chicago, New York, San Francisco, LA and Florida to Texas....NO!!!
This whole story smacks of media grabbing headlines.....how many more countries want GP's and how many team members want to live on the road never going home? Too many races in too many places where F1 and motorsport have no foundation!
Why the corporate bond holders and the suits who own F1 don't spend money doing research on the demographics of sports in the US amazes me? Where is the US $ 300 million going to come from to build the track, the medical facilities, the grandstands and the pit boxes / media facilities?
Are people going to travel from Chicago, New York, San Francisco, LA and Florida to Texas....NO!!!
This whole story smacks of media grabbing headlines.....how many more countries want GP's and how many team members want to live on the road never going home? Too many races in too many places where F1 and motorsport have no foundation!
Latest - http://adamcooperf1.com/2010/05/26/us-gp-promoter-...
No site, nothing started, big plans. Sounds like USF1 to me again.
No site, nothing started, big plans. Sounds like USF1 to me again.
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff