US Grand Prix- Austin (USA)

**Born Racer** · 25 May 2010, 19:01 (Ref:2698113)

A deal has been announced.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin...0/5/10824.html

nobster · 25 May 2010, 19:03 (Ref:2698115)

Please not another Tilkedrome! Can someone bin that man?

tux1234 · 25 May 2010, 19:06 (Ref:2698117)

Why spend all that money building a new circuit when there are many fine us tracks? I know they would need changes to run off areas etc but surely that is cheaper than building an entirely new circuit. Hopefully this new track will be used by Wtcc, World GT1, Alms etc.

**Born Racer** · 25 May 2010, 19:20 (Ref:2698124)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tux1234

Why spend all that money building a new circuit when there are many fine us tracks?

Because it's always about more than the track these days as to where a race is held. It's about, to quote the article, things like

Quote:

that rare combination of ideal geographic location and beauty. Its fine dining, world-renowned hospitality and excellent transportation infrastructure make Austin ideally suited to host and manage an event of this magnitude. Few cities if any in America could rival the connectivity of all the key elements needed for hosting a Formula 1 event as well as Austin. Now, many people around the world will have the opportunity to experience a world-class event, facility and city.”

and

Quote:

the benefits it will bring, including local job creation, increased tourism and a significant economic impact added to our state economy. The visibility and prestige of this event will spotlight our state on an international stage.”

Not ideal from a pure racing perspective, but let's hope it will be a quality track.

grantp · 25 May 2010, 19:23 (Ref:2698126)

I reckon it may have something to do with the strong German connection to Texas.

Marbot · 25 May 2010, 19:25 (Ref:2698129)

At least a certain Jeremy Smith will be pleased.

Autosport has it now.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83873

Fogelhund · 25 May 2010, 19:25 (Ref:2698131)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tux1234

Why spend all that money building a new circuit when there are many fine us tracks? I know they would need changes to run off areas etc but surely that is cheaper than building an entirely new circuit. Hopefully this new track will be used by Wtcc, World GT1, Alms etc.

Cheaper to who? Name the track, and then tell me where the money comes for the changes required, and the sanction fee. I don't believe there is an existing track (permanent road circuit) in the US that could afford such a venture.

dyewat808 · 25 May 2010, 19:29 (Ref:2698136)

Well, something like this was going to happen.

Bernie, as we know, has been pursuing this for ages.

Kind of a random surprise in terms of location, but I'm not surprised that they're gonna build a brand new circuit.

tux1234 · 25 May 2010, 19:35 (Ref:2698140)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Cheaper to who? Name the track, and then tell me where the money comes for the changes required, and the sanction fee. I don't believe there is an existing track (permanent road circuit) in the US that could afford such a venture.

Ok sorry mouth shut, infact i delete my account, everytime i post on here someone shoots me down, makes me out to be an idiot well bye everyone

Marbot · 25 May 2010, 19:36 (Ref:2698141)

Sure there are 'tracks' elsewhere. But remember that a 'track' is really just a thin ribbon of tarmac. Hardly the most expensive part of the infrastructure necessary to create a viable GP venue.

Super Hans · 25 May 2010, 19:38 (Ref:2698143)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tux1234

everytime i post on here someone shoots me down, makes me out to be an idiot

Stick around, they'll make you a moderator!

Seriously though, it'd be a shame to lose a member.

Mr V · 25 May 2010, 19:39 (Ref:2698145)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tux1234

Ok sorry mouth shut, infact i delete my account, everytime i post on here someone shoots me down, makes me out to be an idiot well bye everyone

Happens to all of us mate, just ignore it.

**Born Racer** · 25 May 2010, 19:49 (Ref:2698152)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tux1234

Ok sorry mouth shut, infact i delete my account, everytime i post on here someone shoots me down, makes me out to be an idiot well bye everyone

I think you took that comment too extremely. It's not an argument. I wouldn't leave because of that. The tone gets so easily misconstrued on the internet.

duke_toaster · 25 May 2010, 19:49 (Ref:2698153)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobster

Please not another Tilkedrome! Can someone bin that man?

Have you seen anything I haven't? I've not seen any source indicating that he's designing it.

Mr V · 25 May 2010, 19:53 (Ref:2698158)

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Have you seen anything I haven't? I've not seen any source indicating that he's designing it.

To be fair to nobster, it's a natural assumption and i have to admit that it was my first thought too.

PabloTeK · 25 May 2010, 19:55 (Ref:2698160)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Cheaper to who? Name the track, and then tell me where the money comes for the changes required, and the sanction fee. I don't believe there is an existing track (permanent road circuit) in the US that could afford such a venture.

Surely ISC could get Daytona up to standard? NASCAR ovals are much more crash-worthy than say Monaco with the SAFER barrier and there could be some interesting racing around the tightish infield track (not the 24 hour one because that'd mean > 50% on an oval which is I'm sure not what Bernie would want) and then blasting it through the oval's turns 3 & 4!

Plus being NASCAR's premier track the facilities ain't half bad either...

But this is FOM we're on about so I expect to see another cloned track unless something really special happens. All the Tilke tracks look pretty much the same with Bahrain being the exception (but that's extremely rubbish).

Dead-Eye · 25 May 2010, 20:33 (Ref:2698188)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PabloTeK

Surely ISC could get Daytona up to standard?

Maybe they could. But would they be interested in doing it? I doubt it.

baclightning · 25 May 2010, 20:36 (Ref:2698192)

Lovely. Texas weather in the (presumably) summertime. Anyone remember Nigel Mansell in Dallas?

Spritle · 25 May 2010, 20:41 (Ref:2698197)

I think it had to do more with who could come up with the money than anything and my gut tells me that the existing venues, couldn't.

In any case I wish them well and PLEASE don't have the race in the summer. I know all about those other hot races but I don't go to those, I will go to Austin though!

Teretonga · 25 May 2010, 20:45 (Ref:2698198)

You can rely on Bernie to get advice from tilke regarding any track, he seems to be the resident 'adviser' to any track design.

The actual tarmac and track foundation is a small part of the overall cost of a track for F1.
Land aquisition, access roads, parking, traffic managment, grandstands (even if they are empty on race day) for the projected crowds of people, pit facilities, control tower and associated bits of technology, the list goes on....and on.
The actual track itself is about 40% of the cost.
Thats why Monticello was never a starter in real terms. It would have cost more to upgrade than they have spent already.

Indianapolis was a budget opportunity because the facilities were largely in place.
Austin is not a big city in American terms, not like Dallas-Fort Worth or Houston so I really can't see where the money is going to come from.
Thats why Watkins Glen, Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta or Road America (Elkhart Lake) never would suffice. No one would take the gamble on cost.

I don't want to disappoint anyone but do I see cloud on the horizon? Is that another Donnington looming up?

**Born Racer** · 25 May 2010, 21:05 (Ref:2698205)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobster

Please not another Tilkedrome! Can someone bin that man?

Quote:

Originally Posted by duke_toaster

Have you seen anything I haven't? I've not seen any source indicating that he's designing it.

Which was the last non-Tilke track to enter F1?

duke_toaster · 25 May 2010, 21:09 (Ref:2698208)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Which was the last non-Tilke track to enter F1?

Singapore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PabloTeK

Surely ISC could get Daytona up to standard?

Not with 33 degree banking!

jab · 25 May 2010, 21:14 (Ref:2698212)

I'm sure Jeremy will correct me otherwise, but I really don't think this will happen

They've got less than 2 years to build a F1-standard permanent race circuit, and it's not the Middle East

In fact, it's in Texas. F1 in Texas. What next? Olympic yachting in Leicester?

Seriously, at first glance, this seems about as feasible as US F1. Less feasible than bloody Donington

**Born Racer** · 25 May 2010, 21:30 (Ref:2698223)

Quote:

Singapore.

More recent than I thought. He's done almost all the new ones in the last ten or so years though, I think.

**Born Racer** · 25 May 2010, 21:31 (Ref:2698225)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jab

Seriously, at first glance, this seems about as feasible as US F1. Less feasible than bloody Donington

Will it not make those who run F1 look bad if there is another failure though? Surely they wouldn't proudly announce these ventures without some sort of major faith in the whole chibang.

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