Circuit of the Americas Development Updates

[the Genral]

If anyone knows the situation between Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and his coaches, then you would absolutely validate Jdawgboy's post.
Owners and or investers need to stay out of the kitchen and let the chefs do the cooking.

[turn1]

So...for those of you keeping score at home:

Founder & USGP Promoter Tavo Hellmund out
MotoGP Promoter Kevin Schwantz out
CEO: Steve Sexton out, Jason Dial in
CFO: Dan Allen out, Richard McComb in
EVP: Bruce Knox out
Jason Wade out (Track Ops Dir.)
Marty Hunt out (Facilities Ops Dir., left to GPoA)
Kevin Tyo out (Dir. of Security)
HR director out
HR personnel out
Accounting personnel out
Most of Track personnel out

V8SC gone
SCCA gone
Historic GP gone
World Challenge gone
Porsche GT3 Cup gone
Track Days almost all gone

Most of this is in the last year...last few months even. Did I miss anyone?

[the Genral]

This has gone waaaaaay beyond tweaking. This is total turmoil. Unacceptable for a world class facility.

[turn1]

Autoweek just followed up on what we posted earlier:

Longtime Circuit of the Americas executive out, according to reports
Executive VP Bruce Knox leaves Formula One venue

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140224/f1/140229903#ixzz2uGFBVpuT
Follow us: @AutoweekUSA on Twitter | AutoweekUSA on Facebook

The Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas, has apparently lost one of its longest-tenured, most experience executives with the recent departure of Bruce Knox, executive vice-president of COTA.
The circumstances could not be confirmed. “Per company policy,” said Julie Loignon, vice president of COTA's public and media relations, “we can't comment on personnel matters.”

Knox's history with COTA began in 2010, long before ground was broken for the road course, making him easily one of the facility's longest-tenured employees. He was installed into the project by minor investor Red McCombs, the mercurial 86-year-old San Antonio magnate who has owned Clear Channel Communications, multiple auto dealerships, the Minnesota Vikings, the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs sports teams.

McCombs controls McCombs Enterprises, where Knox worked. In 2011, Knox was President and CEO of Formula One United States, charged with bringing the F1 race to COTA. Once that was on track, Knox remained with COTA as its executive vice-president.

Knox was one of the few COTA executives with any experience in the automotive realm: Previously, he was CEO and director of Interactive Remarketing, a company he co-founded and grew to become the largest seller on eBay Motors, managing asset portfolio liquidation for clients such as Bank of America, HSBC, Capital One, Wells Fargo, Americredit and National City. The company was acquired by McCombs Partners in 2005. His association with eBay Inc. began in 1999 when eBay acquired his company.

Subsequently, Knox served as chief operating officer and chief marketing officer of an eBay subsidiary from 1999-2003. The entity served as the foundation for eBay Motors and quickly evolved to become the world's largest online automotive marketplace. In addition to assisting in the launch of the eBay Motors platform, Knox was also charged with running a national series of vintage car auctions that formed the world's largest vintage car auction company.

Knox, regarded as personable and accessible to many who covered COTA and its affairs, is likely to be missed by media members and business associates alike.

So, the bold portion raises a question for me. When we found out about this (we heard he was fired) my 1st thought was, with Knox being McCombs's guy in the COTA project, what does his departure mean in terms of the McCombs investment position?

[Jdawgboy]

By the way, how many people invested in COTA exactly? I hear about the three main ones Epstine, McCombs, and Dejoria but I'm assuming there's others involved?

Sounds to me like COTA will be less of a racing venue and more of a whatever the investors feel like venue.

[hookem]

Speaking of non-racing things, what is the deal with COTA offering their premium RV spots for only $50 during SXSW and the Rodeo?

http://circuitoftheamericas.com/media-ce...i-night-premium-rv-parking-spaces-during

I mean, there are only like 100 or less of those spots. So we're talking $5000 a day total revenue. Doesn't seem like that is worth the trouble, especially when they won't even think about opening the track for less than $50K a day when it comes to track days.

Now, if they were opening camping and the cheaper RV spots during SXSW, that would be awesome. Could you imagine the scene at a giant camping location during SXSW? Lots of people would do it, it would be like one big party. Europeans love that stuff. And the weather is usually good for camping during that time.

[turn1]

Originally Posted by hookem

Speaking of non-racing things, what is the deal with COTA offering their premium RV spots for only $50 during SXSW and the Rodeo?

http://circuitoftheamericas.com/media-ce...i-night-premium-rv-parking-spaces-during

I mean, there are only like 100 or less of those spots. So we're talking $5000 a day total revenue. Doesn't seem like that is worth the trouble, especially when they won't even think about opening the track for less than $50K a day when it comes to track days.

Now, if they were opening camping and the cheaper RV spots during SXSW, that would be awesome. Could you imagine the scene at a giant camping location during SXSW? Lots of people would do it, it would be like one big party. Europeans love that stuff. And the weather is usually good for camping during that time.

They need money.

[turn1]

Originally Posted by Jdawgboy

By the way, how many people invested in COTA exactly? I hear about the three main ones Epstine, McCombs, and Dejoria but I'm assuming there's others involved?

Sounds to me like COTA will be less of a racing venue and more of a whatever the investors feel like venue.

From what I can tell there are lots of investors, and the biggest one isn't named publicly.

[hookem]

Originally Posted by turn1

They need money.

They aren't going to make any money charging $50 a spot for the few concrete pad RV slots they have. Unless they plan on selling other things when the RVs are there, it's not even worth doing for that money. $5000 won't even pay their monthly electric bill.

If they wanted to make a quick buck, reduce the track fee to $10-15K per day and you'd have clubs and driving schools packing the place. A club could bring 36 cars in (I think that's their limit?) at a cost of $277 per car.

[turn1]

Originally Posted by hookem

They aren't going to make any money charging $50 a spot for the few concrete pad RV slots they have. Unless they plan on selling other things when the RVs are there, it's not even worth doing for that money. $5000 won't even pay their monthly electric bill.

If they wanted to make a quick buck, reduce the track fee to $10-15K per day and you'd have clubs and driving schools packing the place. A club could bring 36 cars in (I think that's their limit?) at a cost of $277 per car.

Yep. You're preaching to the choir. I've been saying that for a while. There are a lot of side benefits that come with what you're talking about, too.

[turn1]

Vance ran into Tavo this morning and got to ask him a few questions:

https://www.facebook.com/FoF1ATX/posts/612868222102116

"Q: You're limping. What happened?
A: Torn meniscus, had surgery so it's all going to be good.
Q: How's Mexico going?
A: Really busy.

Q: Did you hear about the big meet & greet with Dale Jr. downtown later today?
A: Yes. It's awesome and it wouldn't surprise me if it's being put on by Eddie Gossage from Texas Motor Speedway to promote the TMS NASCAR dates. Those guys are smart promoters. It's a huge opportunity.

Q: What do you mean?
A: If it was me, I'd make sure that Jr's Q&A was done at the top of turn 1 of COTA, up on what used to be called Hellmund's Hill. I'd give free beer and bus rides around the track to everyone of Jr Nation that showed up! I'd get one of the Sherman tanks Patton used to invade Sicily. It's restored in a bad-ass barn in West Texas at my buddy's ranch. Then I'd get Jr to drive it in the grass alongside the straightaway up to turn 1. National Guard would eat it up. When he got to the top, he'd pop out of the hatch holding his 500 trophy for the Q&A session. I'd blitz the local media & some national media today, buy some quick local radio ads. FOX would send Bestwick and Rusty. Then charge $5 for parking and $4 for hamburgers & laugh all the way to the bank because 20,000 people would show up for Jr! It would be the best, cheapest publicity ever AND the facility would have 20,001 new fans! The 'one' being the biggest voice in American racing ---- Jr!!!

Q: That sounds awesome. But it would be really tough to get ahold of him that quickly to set it up, right? He did just win the Daytona 500.
A: True! And Jr.'s schedule is usually set well in advance, but I would have been burning up his cell phone...and he would eat up the Sherman tank idea! He's got it all - fame, fortune. But he loves things that are outside the box.

Q: How do you see the upcoming F1 season?
A: Should be interesting. Melbourne especially.

Q: How bout the upcoming season at Cota?
A: Hopefully it will be good."

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by turn1

Vance ran into Tavo this morning and got to ask him a few questions:

https://www.facebook.com/FoF1ATX/posts/612868222102116

Yes, it was a total promo for TMS. Gossage HATES COTA and would love to be a part of killing it. Heck, not only was every local TV station at Shultz's, they got 104.9 The Horn to run their entire 3-7 p.m. show from there...shamelessly promoting the greatness of TMS and their new Bubba TV (the largest HD TV in the world).

Furthermore, COTA promoters can't tell their right hand from their left foot. Pitiful!!!

[turn1]

Here are some articles about the event and some of the fallout from it, and below that are my photos from the event.

Dale Jr. struck me as very reserved and a bit shy, and very likeable. He doesn't seem overly comfortable with all the attention, sort of like he doesn't really get why such a fuss is being made over him. Seems like a genuinely good guy. Gossage was funny, friendly, and was intent on letting the fans know just how much he appreciates them and their business. What a breath of fresh air compared to another track owner whose name shall not be spoken.

Racing Today: Junior's victory tour takes him to F1 country
http://www.racintoday.com/archives/45288...=Feed%3A+RacinToday+%28Racin%27+Today%29

Gossage upset with F1 scheduling
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/gossage-upset-formula-one-scheduling

Bernie Ecclestone dismisses Nascar objection to US Grand Prix date clash
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/26/bernie-ecclestone-us-grand-prix-f1-nascar-date-clash

Went out to Scholz's in the cold, in my shorts & t-shirt 'cause I'm a dumbass & didn't check the weather before I left. Took a few photos. Hope you like 'em...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.799127313435149.1073741956.157330087614878&type=1







Eddie Gossage with B&E on the horn...









Junior gets an honorary official Texas flag...

[hookem]

Berie Ecclestone responds:
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/26/bernie-ecclestone-us-grand-prix-f1-nascar-date-clash

Honestly, it would be nice to see more of this back and forth leading up to the races. It has the residual effect of free publicity for both races. I doubt COTA will repond with promotion in DFW, but perhaps F1 will... an exhibition with Vettel or Hamilton, which could promote BOTH the USGP and the upcoming Mexico GP next year, would be a smart move in the DFW area.

[turn1]

Originally Posted by hookem

Berie Ecclestone responds:
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/feb/26/bernie-ecclestone-us-grand-prix-f1-nascar-date-clash

Honestly, it would be nice to see more of this back and forth leading up to the races. It has the residual effect of free publicity for both races. I doubt COTA will repond with promotion in DFW, but perhaps F1 will... an exhibition with Vettel or Hamilton, which could promote BOTH the USGP and the upcoming Mexico GP next year, would be a smart move in the DFW area.

Epstein would never in a million years do anything that could possibly help the Mexico race. That's Hellmund's baby. No way he's helping Tavo. I don;t see him doing any serious promotion in other cities though, even though they should, and not just in Texas. Hell, they barely promote here in Austin.

[hookem]

Originally Posted by turn1

Epstein would never in a million years do anything that could possibly help the Mexico race. That's Hellmund's baby. No way he's helping Tavo. I don;t see him doing any serious promotion in other cities though, even though they should, and not just in Texas. Hell, they barely promote here in Austin.

I was talking about F1 promoting themselves in Dallas. Like I said, I doubt COTA would do anything.

[turn1]

Originally Posted by hookem

I was talking about F1 promoting themselves in Dallas. Like I said, I doubt COTA would do anything.

Yeah, F1 might do it. Epstein/COTA should be the ones driving that. Just like TMS & Gossage did yesterday, coordinating with NASCAR to provide the Daytona 500 winner to them for their promotion. Scratching one another's backs.

[Jdawgboy]

They are running out of money yet theres billions of dollars that the owners have and yet they won't put any of their money in it. We need a total shakedown.

I am quite sure Dale Jr. knows about the Circuit. I wonder if he would have taken a spin around if it was possible.

[electricron]

Note that this spring's race sponsor, Duck Commander, is painted on the car as is TMS. When you have a corporate race sponsor, promoting that race and racetrack is easier to fund.

Every Nascar and Indy Car race and has a corporate sponsor found by the race track. The series has corporate sponsors as well to fund the season's championship purse. It's usually that corporate big shot or public face that get's to shout, "Drivers start your engines!"
Alas, F1 doesn't work that way, which is one of many reasons why the Hullman family kicked F1 out of Indy.

[GoldenBoot]

As ILUVSAT said: "COTA promoters can't tell their right hand from their left foot. Pitiful!!!" Here, here!

Epstein is a deal maker...not a polished marketer like Gossage. He (Epstein) has no idea how far in the hole he is. Hopefully, he will eventually hire someone much more qualified to promote this venue.

I love the COTA. However, they need a ruthless promoter to challenge that of Gossage! I pray for the day Gossage is finally put in his place and he must realize that COTA and TMS must mutually exist with each other. Similar to the fact that Texas and Texas A&M must exist with each other.