Circuit of the Americas Development Updates - Page 27

hookem · #**521** Posted **Aug 4, 2011, 11:08 PM**

Chances are those investors have probably lost too much of their net worth in the past couple of days to seriously pursue dumping tons of money into F1 sanctioning fees. Besides, Bernie has said in the past that he's done with private investors; F1 will only consider races where the governments are subsidizing it. Although, he has always said he wants a race in the NYC area.

Anyway, seems quite speculative right now. As evidenced by what is going on here, you need A LOT of things to fall into place just right for an F1 race to come. And the number 1 thing is a big wad of cash, non-refundable, paid a year or more in advance of a race. Not typically what a private investor would consider a "smart deal". After that, you've got to deal with local governments, some of which I guarantee will have their issues -- whether it is noise, traffic, closing streets, etc. They will need their slice of the pie too, their egos stroked, concessions made to them, etc.

What this speculation does indicate is that the buzz and excitement around the USGP in Austin is good right now... other cities are envying us and the expected benefits. They could just as easily be saying "whew, we really dodged a bullet by not getting involved in F1." But the current buzz is good.

KevinFromTexas · #**522** Posted **Aug 8, 2011, 6:44 AM**

Some racing fun from Edmonton, Canada.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=192767

electricron · #**523** Posted **Aug 8, 2011, 3:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Some racing fun from Edmonton, Canada.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=192767

The IRL or Indy Cars isn't Formula 1. Besides, IRL already visits Texas Motor Speedway. I watched the Edmonton IRL race on Versus, few views of downtown Edmonton were shown. Certainly not enough to advertise Edmonton to a world wide audience. And the same lack of views of Austin will be shown at the Austin race too...

Jdawgboy · #**524** Posted **Aug 8, 2011, 8:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by electricron

The IRL or Indy Cars isn't Formula 1. Besides, IRL already visits Texas Motor Speedway. I watched the Edmonton IRL race on Versus, few views of downtown Edmonton were shown. Certainly not enough to advertise Edmonton to a world wide audience. And the same lack of views of Austin will be shown at the Austin race too...

First of all, nobody ever said IRL or Indy Cars was Formula 1. You can't claim that Austin's skyline will not be shown during the races because there has yet to be a race. Maybe wait before assuming something.

electricron · #**525** Posted **Aug 8, 2011, 10:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

First of all, nobody ever said IRL or Indy Cars was Formula 1. You can't claim that Austin's skyline will not be shown during the races because there has yet to be a race. Maybe wait before assuming something.

Never said it had. Just wanted to point out that linking Indy Car photos onto a link about F1 may have been a little uncool. You didn't see me link NASCAR or Indy Car photos to this thread about F1 coming to Austin. Do you want me to?

Do you ever watch Versus' Indy Car or Speed's F1 TV coverage? You get the race, interviews with the drivers, and blimp views of racecars on the track, that's about it. You don't get a travelogue.

KevinFromTexas · #**526** Posted **Aug 8, 2011, 10:53 PM**

I'm aware that Indy and F1 are different. And no one yet knows what the skyline views will be like from the track area, other than that you can see the skyline. I don't think anyone here is really harping on that much anyway. And besides, we have UT games for showing off the skyline if that's what anyone cares about.

And the track in Edmonton isn't really a track, it's at the airport and is only temporary. And it almost didn't happen this year because of contract deadline issues. A new company came in to promote the race for 3 years nearly at the last minute.

I only posted the link since I figured anyone interested in F1 would probably be interested in Indy racing, too.

the Genral · #**527** Posted **Aug 9, 2011, 1:20 AM**

I'm sure there's going to be a fair amount of press about Austin leading up to and during the race weekend. Since we are a new entry into F1, there are a lot of people from around the world who would probably like to know something about the new host city.
I hope most of the press is good but we can probably expect some issues to be brought up, traffic, heat, lack of hotel rooms, but most of the attention should be focused on the new facility which is going to be brand spanking new and world class.
I think the IRL cars look nicer than the F!'s. The F1's have a funky front end. Great for aerodynamics, but not as slick looking. And the green #77 Dodge (1970 or ' 71 I believe) racing on an IRL circuit, awesome! Not even close to being the fastest, but I bet it sounded like it was.

BevoLJ · #**528** Posted **Aug 9, 2011, 2:31 AM**

What I hope more than just them showing Austin a lot on TV during the race (although that would be great too!) is that the city makes the visitors welcome and everyone has a good time. This is where Austin really shines. Showing visitors a good time. I doubt it will be as wild and fun as Montreal's weekend since it is their start of summer party, but we still can make it a lot of fun to come here and see the race. If we are able to make a name for ourselves as a fun place to go and see a race then that is all that really matters to me. I think the city, promoters and these big new hotels will also likely be spending a nice chunk of change to try to promote the city as such during that week also. It is just as important for these big hotels that Austin is seen as a great place to visit and enjoy yourself as it is for anyone else.

migol24 · #**529** Posted **Aug 9, 2011, 2:39 AM**

The skyline issues can easily be taken care of with a blimp as is mostly done in any sports coverage. BTW, has there ever been a blimp fly over Austin? I figure there has been because of the UT games.

BevoLJ · #**530** Posted **Aug 9, 2011, 3:06 AM**

Ya, the UT games have had them a ton. Also some of the track meets I remember back when I was younger and they still had the track stuff at the big stadium. That was a long time ago though.

SecretAgentMan · #**531** Posted **Aug 9, 2011, 11:35 AM**

The hairpin turn at the top of the hill is actually being branded as "the Austin turn" precisely because of the skyline view at that point. It is VERY intentional to feature the skyline view.

JAM · #**532** Posted **Aug 9, 2011, 7:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

The skyline issues can easily be taken care of with a blimp as is mostly done in any sports coverage. BTW, has there ever been a blimp fly over Austin? I figure there has been because of the UT games.

In fact yes! right over my window LOL..... :

http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n...limpMay9_2008/

BevoLJ · #**533** Posted **Aug 9, 2011, 8:07 PM**

• Video Link

the Genral · #**534** Posted **Aug 10, 2011, 8:44 AM**

Man they are still infilling with a lot of dirt. Looks like some of it may be coating some cars in Bastrop. Still a long way to go. At least they don't have to worry about any rain delays for the foreseeable future.

The ATX · #**535** Posted **Aug 10, 2011, 2:11 PM**

The last I heard was that they are still working "only" six days a week at the site. So they still have room to step it up if they need to.

Spaceman · #**536** Posted **Aug 10, 2011, 5:41 PM**

Bernie made it official, November is the date.

Armybrat · #**537** Posted **Aug 10, 2011, 8:13 PM**

Elroy squirrels beware...

the Genral · #**538** Posted **Aug 10, 2011, 9:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman

Bernie made it official, November is the date.

November 6th is Sprint Cup race day at TMS. What day was given for the F1 race?

The ATX · #**539** Posted **Aug 10, 2011, 9:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the genral

november 6th is sprint cup race day at tms. What day was given for the f1 race?

11/18/2012

Spaceman · #**540** Posted **Aug 11, 2011, 3:32 AM**

Although it attracts a different racing crowd, the Sprint Cup race could hurt with attendance at COTA..Even if the decrease is 5 to 10 per cent that still will cost COTA money. A NASCAR crazy friend of mine said he would like to see F1 just to catch the vibe at the race..Now he says he can't afford both and wiil only go to Ft. Worth.