United States Grand Prix - Formula One (F1) - Austin

[Hobie]

I can't wait for this. F1, MotoGP, and a world class track I'll get to ride in my own back yard.

FUCKIN' EPIC BROS!

[Slowhand]

Looks like Ecclestone is going to shuffle the calendar and move Bahrain to the end of the season, and it looks like the USGP is going to be in November as well.

A November race date has the potential to be FAR more enjoyable.


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/93442

Fucking beautiful!

[Darren M]

Was watching the qualifications for Hungaro Ring this morning and the Speed announcers very clearly stated that the Circuit of Americas was still prepping for a June race and that FIA had NOT officially advised them of any reschedule......

[Slowhand]

Was watching the qualifications for Hungaro Ring this morning and the Speed announcers very clearly stated that the Circuit of Americas was still prepping for a June race and that FIA had NOT officially advised them of any reschedule......

I heard a joke the other day that involved saying that Bernie doesn't play God, God plays Bernie. There may not be anything official, but Ecclestone has a significant say in what goes on in Formula 1.

[Darren M]

I heard a joke the other day that involved saying that Bernie doesn't play God, God plays Bernie. There may not be anything official, but Ecclestone has a significant say in what goes on in Formula 1.

HA! That I would believe. If BE wants it, he gets it.

[txsr20de]

Was watching the qualifications for Hungaro Ring this morning and the Speed announcers very clearly stated that the Circuit of Americas was still prepping for a June race and that FIA had NOT officially advised them of any reschedule......

I am hoping that this schedule change materializes, November>June.

[03shadow2v]

Another fine example of our tax dollars at waste

You have got to be kidding ?

[John -- '02 HAWK]

You have got to be kidding ?

Nope studies have shown that cities never make their return investment if they arent included as financial partners in arenas. Besides the millions given as seed money look at how much more money must now be spent on infrastructure costs surrounding the track just so the traffic can move to and from.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/county-considers-hotel-tax-to-pay-for-f1-1254272.html

"Currently, the City of Austin levies a 9 percent hotel-motel tax, and the state levies a 6 percent tax. The most a Texas county can tax on hotel and motel rooms is 2 percent. With an additional 2 percent county hotel tax"

Now look at the total number of hotel rooms that can be rented and you'll start seeing very limited funds incoming to help counter what the city has to spend to get a return in investment. As already discussed a lot of people will come from outside the county and provide next no income for the city. Yet will cost the city in terms of maintenance and traffic flow support costs.

If you think it will create buisness around the area it wont. Use TMS as an example in 20 odd years theres what 3 hotels (that are 'empty' most of the year, so no tax) and a couple gas stations

Thus making it a waste of tax payers money.

[Slowhand]

Besides the millions given as seed money look at how much more money must now be spent on infrastructure costs surrounding the track just so the traffic can move to and from.

Austin needs bukoos of infrastructure construction as it is; the US Grand Prix will have an absolutely minimal impact on that.

[John -- '02 HAWK]

Austin needs bukoos of infrastructure construction as it is; the US Grand Prix will have an absolutely minimal impact on that.

Im confused on what your saying. Is it that the the traffic from the track will have no impact on austin's regular traffic?

[Slowhand]

Im confused on what your saying. Is it that the the traffic from the track will have no impact on austin's regular traffic?

No, but it's not going to cause a need for investment in infrastructure that wasn't already there.

[John -- '02 HAWK]

No, but it's not going to cause a need for investment in infrastructure that wasn't already there.

Dont you remember the problems with TMS?

Austin has already said "Road widening, other work estimated at $6 million" because the track "is expected to draw more than 100,000 racing fans to southeastern Travis County"

[Slowhand]

Dont you remember the problems with TMS?

Austin has already said "Road widening, other work estimated at $6 million" because the track "is expected to draw more than 100,000 racing fans to southeastern Travis County"

Of course they've said that; they've got massive infrastructure problems in Austin and anything they can do to pass the blame on to someone else will be a political victory for everyone involved.

[Bputacoma]

Red Bull Racing is doing a demonstration in Austin on sat, if anyone is interested.

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

Red Bull plans F1 car demonstration Saturday morning

By Dave Doolittle | Monday, August 15, 2011, 03:00 PM

Austin will likely get its first taste of a Formula One car in action Saturday morning, when Red Bull Racing plans a demonstration run on Congress Avenue north of the Capitol.

A permit is pending with the city to close Congress Avenue between 15th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from 7 a.m. to noon for the demonstration, city Transportation Department spokeswoman Leah Fillion said.

Former F1 driver David Coulthard will drive Red Bull’s Racing Showcar for a promotional video connected to the return of F1 in the United States at a track under construction near Austin.

Some details remain unclear, including how many passes the car will make, where spectators will be allowed to watch and whether Coulthard will meet with spectators.

A call to Red Bull Racing’s North American headquarters has not been returned.

A permit filed with the city said the car, three cameras and a trailer will be used. Law enforcement will stop traffic on 15th Street between Brazos and Colorado streets periodically to allow the car to pass onto the Capitol grounds, the city said.

The event is not being run in conjunction with Circuit of the Americas, a racetrack in southeastern Travis County that is scheduled to host F1 races for 10 years beginning next year.

“It is exciting that Red Bull, the defending world champion and current points leader, is interested in promoting Austin to its global fan base,” circuit Executive Vice President Bruce Knox said in a statement. “The event will be directly managed and produced by Red Bull’s promotional team, one that has produced many world-class events.”

[HarrisonTX]

holy FUCK that is awesome..