Circuit of the Americas Development Updates

[hookem]

Originally Posted by electricron

While COTA didn't ask for any public money to build their track facilities, they have asked the State to pay the $25 Million yearly sanctioning fee (in other words the F1 purse).

Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio haven't asked for State funds on a yearly basis either. Each occasion has been for a particular one-time event (Super Bowl or All-Star games).

Just like every other event, COTA can't ask for more than one year at a time. Each time it's a new application, new calculation of the state income after the races,etc. If Houston could host the Superbowl 10 years in a row, would you be speaking out against their receipt of subsidies?

So to single out COTA, while you remain silent on all the other recipients of state subsidies for sporting events (those that have actually RECEIVED money), just seems disingenuous.

[hookem]

Originally Posted by turn1

How 'bout if they first just try to do racing well?

All the posturing for METF-qualified events aside (which, I can't say I blame them for doing, I mean it's surprising others haven't tried to make such a facility)... I do think the other racing events (MotoGP, Aussie V8s, ALMS, etc) are looking much better all-around than this first F1 race. Better pricing, earlier ticket sales, probably better planning and traffic. I think as a racing venue, 2013 will really be the year to judge whether COTA is a success.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by turn1

Yep...or maybe they could just dig up the front straight, turn it into an Olympic pool & have the next Swimming & Diving World Championships or Olympic Quals. It could have ramps at each end and be filled with Bull Sharks to add excitement to an otherwise blah F1 GP. They could put the diving pit out by the tower & jump from it. Too bad UT doesn't already have a great natatorium and aren't looking into building a new one. Oh...wait.

I remember when I heard about them telling people on tours that they were thinking about a World Cup Soccer Stadium out there. LOL. Seriously? After all the troubles they've had getting this thing close enough to complete to have a race? Too bad we can't we already see one of the biggest, best football stadiums in the country from the east side of the track. Oh...wait.

Oh, but they're gonna spend millions to build a "World Cup" soccer venue that holds less than 10K people. OK. Sweet! Makes perfect sense! And boxing & Davis Cup Tennis, too. Too bad we don't have a place in Austin suitable for those events! Oh...wait.

Maybe they should put a giant bubble over turn 1 and build the world's largest artificial ski slope. We don't have one of those yet.



How 'bout if they first just try to do racing well?

So what was the head inspector of the FIA saying about the track? That it was not ready? That's not what I heard. He doesn't normally say much but he did say a lot of outstanding glowing remarks about how well the Circuit is built.

First off, why make a public news statement with high quality renderings? Renders are not cheap.

Second Ive heard similar comments in the past about COTA never building the tower and other things, well there they are.

3rd the can easily custom build the pieces of the seating to go over the fencing.

So they build this big massive complex that they are saying will be used year around for all kinds of events and all of these announcements are just smoke getting blown up our a$$es? I don't buy that for one minute. I can see these events happening.

You may not be happy with the investors but the people running the facility have done a great job with planning events. If its all just for show then I guess so is all the racing events lol

[turn1]

Originally Posted by Austin_Expert

Cool story, Tavo.

Tavo? LMAO.

So, which one of the thought police are you?

[turn1]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

So what was the head inspector of the FIA saying about the track? That it was not ready? That's not what I heard. He doesn't normally say much but he did say a lot of outstanding glowing remarks about how well the Circuit is built.

First off, why make a public news statement with high quality renderings? Renders are not cheap.

Second Ive heard similar comments in the past about COTA never building the tower and other things, well there they are.

3rd the can easily custom build the pieces of the seating to go over the fencing.

So they build this big massive complex that they are saying will be used year around for all kinds of events and all of these announcements are just smoke getting blown up our a$$es? I don't buy that for one minute. I can see these events happening.

You may not be happy with the investors but the people running the facility have done a great job with planning events. If its all just for show then I guess so is all the racing events lol

When did I say anything about the track not being ready? I think we've known for some time that the track would be ready. It's ready right now (except a lot of people have been wondering when/if kerbs would be installed). I know Charlie approved the track. I was out there when he did the walk, remember? Your comments about him are kinda irrelevant though, as his job when he does those track walks is to check the circuit for race-readiness.

The track looks great. It is a great design and has been built well by a top-notch constructor in Austin Commercial.

Re: smoke blowing...yes. That's right. Buy it or not. Doesn't much matter to me. I won't be able to convince you otherwise no matter how much I've followed this thing. Do you think these guys think twice about yanking our chains?

My post was tongue in cheek, but it's pretty funny to see who gets their panties all in a wad over something like that (like the guy who signed up just to call me Tavo. Of course he knows I'm not). Funny how I post hundreds of photos & positive or neutral posts and as soon as I say one thing even remotely critical, it's an outrage.

The talk of the racing events isn't for show. Those are confirmed. Believe you'll see boxing, tennis, beach vb, or soccer there when it shows up on one of those tour's respective calendars.

As for the event planning prowess, we really don't know that yet. I do know how racing execs and some in both the domestic and international press view this management. It isn't pretty.

[turn1]

Originally Posted by hookem

All the posturing for METF-qualified events aside (which, I can't say I blame them for doing, I mean it's surprising others haven't tried to make such a facility)... I do think the other racing events (MotoGP, Aussie V8s, ALMS, etc) are looking much better all-around than this first F1 race. Better pricing, earlier ticket sales, probably better planning and traffic. I think as a racing venue, 2013 will really be the year to judge whether COTA is a success.

Absolutely, esp the last line.

...and you bring up a good point that I kinda started to get into in my previous post but got sidetracked. I don't really blame COTA for posturing. What's funny is how some people just buy it blindly...hook, line, & sinker.

[Jdawgboy]

Originally Posted by turn1

Absolutely, esp the last line.

...and you bring up a good point that I kinda started to get into in my previous post but got sidetracked. I don't really blame COTA for posturing. What's funny is how some people just buy it blindly...hook, line, & sinker.

Hey I follow whats going on at the track too. Fact is they are going to do whatever will bring them money. So this notion that nothing other than racing and a couple of concerts a year is all they plan to do is just not true. You better believe if they can make it happen that will bring in more money to the Circuit, they are going to do it. Agreed that only time will tell but my money is on hearing more announcements about non-racing sporting events at COTA in the future. Can't tout something as being the ultimate sports facility that will be used all year around without other major sporting events.

[turn1]

Went out to catch the Lotus (Renault) R30 in action this morning at COTA. Unfortunately the R30 suffered a mechanical failure during some shakedown laps this morning with D'Ambrosio at the wheel (engine let go, we think), but I did manage to get some phone video of it in action before that. I'll have more/better video & photos later as I go through it all:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lc4z0d4UKQ&feature=plcp

[turn1]

Celebrities, Exotic Cars And A Whole Lotta Noise: Opening Day At Austin’s Formula One Track

http://jalopnik.com/

[turn1]

New photo of Mario Andretti climbing to turn 1 in the Lotus 79 (via @statesmanf1):

[KevinFromTexas]

Speaking of cool cars, check this out.

http://jalopnik.com/found-around-town/

[turn1]

I just posted some of my photos from today's opening ceremonies out at COTA...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...22.136051.157330087614878&type=1&theater

[JoninATX]

Nice shots Turn 1.

[turn1]

Thanks Jon! It was a fun day out on Mr. Haywood's hill. We had a lot of folks out there at times throughout the day.


Here's some video I shot of the R30 in action before it broke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG1-olVRsdA

...and check out this Ferrari 458 onboard with Mark McKenzie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sQi7yyacKEY

[turn1]

Here's some better video I shot of the R30 before it broke (first lap):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUSE_EJmmzw

[pato79]

Originally Posted by turn1

Here's some better video I shot of the R30 before it broke (first lap):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUSE_EJmmzw

Very cool videos thanks for sharing.

[KevinFromTexas]

Nice photos.

The American-Stateman uploaded an album of the event.

http://www.statesman.com/gallery/sports/racing/circuit-americas-exhibition-run-102112/g5x6/#2802293

[turn1]

Onboard laps with Mario Andretti and Jerome D'Ambrosio. Both are taking easy, but still very cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5gLoxNE7ms&feature=player_embedded

[turn1]

In case any of you are wondering about ticket shipment, I just got an email saying my tickets should arrive by FedEx today...shipped yesterday from Fort Smith, Arkansas.

[turn1]

COTA to draw more than 1 million fans to races by May 2013:

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/cota-to-draw-more-than-1m-fans-by-may

The Grand-Am auto event will take place Feb. 28 through March 3. Promoters estimate a maximum attendance of 300,000 during those four days.
The MotoGP motorcycle event will take place April 19 - 21. Promoters estimate a maximum attendance of 225,000 during those four days.
The V8 Supercars auto event will take place May 17 - 19. Promoters estimate a maximum attendance of 300,000 during those three days.