Circuit of the Americas Development Updates - Page 44

turn1 · #**861** Posted **Jun 8, 2012, 2:24 AM**

I tweeted a phone image earlier today of paving that has reached just past turn 10. Later, my associate Vance took some better shots from the turn 11 bleacher area. The flat area you can see in the foreground of most of these photos is where the turn 11 bleachers will sit:

Below is a very magnified shot of the turn 12 area from literally just a few feet directly behind where the turn 11 bleachers will be. What looks like a pile of dirt in the distance is the tunnel, so that gives you a reference to turn 12, and you can see its flag just beyond.

Jdawgboy · #**862** Posted **Jun 8, 2012, 3:17 AM**

Its coming along nicely!

Spaceman · #**863** Posted **Jun 8, 2012, 7:17 PM**

Montreal is having troubles due to protests and hacking threats...Two things COTA doesn't need...

The ATX · #**864** Posted **Jun 9, 2012, 12:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman

Montreal is having troubles due to protests and hacking threats...Two things COTA doesn't need...

Montreal seems to always be having student protests. It's a way of life for them.

turn1 · #**865** Posted **Jun 9, 2012, 3:55 PM**

Charlie Whiting / FIA inspection of COTA set for next week.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...formula_austin

turn1 · #**866** Posted **Jun 9, 2012, 4:35 PM**

Hellmund / COTA lawsuit settled out of court:

http://austin.culturemap.com/newsdet...drama-averted/

KevinFromTexas · #**867** Posted **Jun 9, 2012, 9:24 PM**

Large protests are sort of a Canadian thing. Remember the soccer riots last year?

the Genral · #**868** Posted **Jun 10, 2012, 12:25 AM**

Just saw on the news tonight that Mario Andretti is going to be the Ambassador to COTA. Very appropriate IMO.

the Genral · #**869** Posted **Jun 10, 2012, 12:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceman

Montreal is having troubles due to protests and hacking threats...Two things COTA doesn't need...

We won't put up with that shit here in TEXAS!

KevinFromTexas · #**870** Posted **Jun 12, 2012, 7:46 AM**

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/ne...-andretti.html

Quote:

F1 Austin speeds ahead with Andretti

Austin Business Journal by Vicky Garza, Staff Writer
Date: Monday, June 11, 2012, 12:13pm CDT

Circuit of the Americas officials wrapped up an eventful week by announcing that motorsports legend Mario Andretti will serve as the official ambassador for the 2012 Formula One U.S. Grand Prix.

Andretti – the only driver to win the Formula One World Championship, Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 – will work with Circuit officials to promote awareness of the Formula One race in Austin taking place Nov. 16-18.

turn1 · #**871** Posted **Jun 13, 2012, 3:53 AM**

New construction photos shot by Vance this afternoon. Paving now extends around T11 toward the tunnel:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...7614878&type=1

Samples:

turn1 · #**872** Posted **Jun 13, 2012, 4:05 AM**

MotoGP promoter Kevin Schwantz waits to hear from COTA officials:

Statesman's Formula 1 page.
http://www.statesman.com/sports/form...AoATAAOABAr77f

http://www.statesman.com/sports/form...g-2398442.html

Quote:

Promoter in holding pattern in attempt to bring MotoGP race to F1 track

By John Maher
Updated: 7:38 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Published: 7:27 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Motorcyling legend Kevin Schwantz said he would still like to have a MotoGP race run at Circuit of the Americas, and that negotiations no longer would have to go through promoter Tavo Hellmund.

But Schwantz also said he's still waiting to hear from officials with the circuit, which is still under construction and slated to host its inaugural Formula One grand prix in November.

In response to a query, Schwantz emailed the American-Statesman: "Several weeks ago, Tavo was nice enough to step aside and asked COTA to talk directly with me about a MotoGP contract for them. To date, COTA has not had any meaningful discussions with me regarding MotoGP at COTA.

hookem · #**873** Posted **Jun 15, 2012, 5:29 PM**

Cota has released some new pics. The crane parts we saw in that video have now become the crane you can see in this pic, next to T15-16. Could be for those grandstands or the tower/ampitheater. Would really like to see a closeup of what it is working on:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...1419693&type=1

migol24 · #**874** Posted **Jun 15, 2012, 5:55 PM**

does anyone think they'll finish by november? it's already june they don't even look half-way done.

The ATX · #**875** Posted **Jun 15, 2012, 5:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

does anyone think they'll finish by november? it's already june they don't even look half-way done.

I continue to wonder that also. But if not, COTA is doing a good job dispelling that possibility and really starting to promote this thing. There's an F1 event at the convention center this week.

hookem · #**876** Posted **Jun 15, 2012, 6:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by migol24

does anyone think they'll finish by november? it's already june they don't even look half-way done.

There aren't many permanent structures on the track, and they've mostly all been topped out, so it really comes down to paving and getting the entrances/parking lots/fencing done. The paving seems to be something they can do relatively quickly, judging by what they've done so far.

The majority of the grandstands will be the temporary kind, like they use on street courses. They still need to construct permanent grandstands at T1 and T15, at least according to their plan.

Also, technically they have to be ready for inspection on Sept 25, not November. That means all the race-critical stuff has to be done by then. Things like the amphitheater/tower and landscaping won't have to be done by that date. I suppose those things could even be put off til after the race.

I expect they'll get it done. They aren't even working 24x7 or 7 days a week yet. So they can always do that if they really have to catch up (if they have the $$$ for all the overtime).

Jdawgboy · #**877** Posted **Jun 15, 2012, 7:15 PM**

They will be ready in time. The final track pavement wont be layed down till close to the end when they have to pave the entire length non stop.

KevinFromTexas · #**878** Posted **Jun 16, 2012, 2:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill Country

I continue to wonder that also. But if not, COTA is doing a good job dispelling that possibility and really starting to promote this thing. There's an F1 event at the convention center this week.

Photos:

Formula One Expo, 06.15.12
http://galleries.statesman.com/galle...061512/#552512

Owlhorn · #**879** Posted **Jun 16, 2012, 7:06 AM**

One thing to consider is that this is Texas. Summer is huge for construction in Texas because of the huge lack of rain to go along with longer daylight. I don't know if they are under the same conditions as TxDOT, but that would mean a lot of work can be done at night too. If anything you should start seeing an acceleration of construction.

Jdawgboy · #**880** Posted **Jun 16, 2012, 8:56 AM**

That is true Construction is going at a steady pace. At least for now the weather has been overly dry. We will have to wait and see what happens over the last part of the month as atmospheric dynamics are begining to change to a more tropical influence pattern. It will either stay fairly dry or we may see a more unstable, wetter pattern setting up for the end of June.