Circuit of the Americas Development Updates - Page 111

GoldenBoot · #**2201** Posted **Feb 24, 2019, 6:16 PM**

One does not become rich by paying his/her own way.

Also, Eppy is very rich...but, he's not a billionaire. Red McCombs is his billionaire backer (or at least one of them).

The ATX · #**2202** Posted **Feb 25, 2019, 12:21 AM**

Epstein showed himself to be a slimy individual when he tried to hide his support for the anti-MLS petition. But COTA has every right to apply for the sales tax reimbursement simply because that option exits. Any anger about this should be directed to the State of Texas and not COTA or Epstein.

ILUVSAT · #**2203** Posted **Feb 25, 2019, 1:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

Epstein showed himself to be a slimy individual when he tried to hide his support for the anti-MLS petition. But COTA has every right to apply for the sales tax reimbursement simply because that option exits. Any anger about this should be directed to the State of Texas and not COTA or Epstein.

Dude...you're missing the point.

The ATX · #**2204** Posted **Feb 25, 2019, 1:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

Dude...you're missing the point.

Please expand on that, dude.

wwmiv · #**2205** Posted **Feb 25, 2019, 8:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVSAT

Dude...you're missing the point.

No he’s not.

ATX’s point is that your point is misguided and your anger misdirected.

Novacek · #**2206** Posted **Feb 25, 2019, 2:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

No he’s not.

ATX’s point is that your point is misguided and your anger misdirected.

I was fine with CotA's subsidies (overall, I think it benefited Austin).

Then Epstein started funding a PAC and running adds stating:

1. Corporations shouldn't receive subsidies.
2. Teams should pay their "fair share".
3. Teams should pay taxes (after Epstein/CotA sued Travis County to avoid doing so).

Anger at Epstein's hypocrisy is entirely appropriately directed.

paul78701 · #**2207** Posted **Feb 25, 2019, 3:15 PM**

His anti-MLS shenanigans were definitely a dick move. Maybe he should be taught a lesson, but not if it means losing a venue and events that will hurt Austin and it's economy. (I have no idea whether or not losing the $20 million could actually cause that to happen.)

In short, don't cut off your nose to spite your face. It might feel good to not work with him on this issue in order to punish him, but if it could hurt Austin in the long run...it's just not worth it.

odelayjb · #**2208** Posted **Feb 25, 2019, 6:29 PM**

ILUVSAT gonna ILUVSAT

wwmiv · #**2209** Posted **Feb 25, 2019, 8:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novacek

I was fine with CotA's subsidies (overall, I think it benefited Austin).

Then Epstein started funding a PAC and running adds stating:

1. Corporations shouldn't receive subsidies.
2. Teams should pay their "fair share".
3. Teams should pay taxes (after Epstein/CotA sued Travis County to avoid doing so).

Anger at Epstein's hypocrisy is entirely appropriately directed.

I don’t disagree with you. But the law is the law and we shouldn’t begrudge someone for following the law the way it is written, we should begrudge the lawmakers for writing the law that way in the first place.

THAT is ATX’s underlying point.

turn1 · #**2210** Posted **Feb 27, 2019, 6:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

I don’t disagree with you. But the law is the law and we shouldn’t begrudge someone for following the law the way it is written, we should begrudge the lawmakers for writing the law that way in the first place.

THAT is ATX’s underlying point.

And now the Gov's office has stated that it would be unlawful to pay COTA for the 2018 USGP because they didn't fulfill the requirements set forth by the new trafficking law, so ... so be it. And it's more like $25M they'd lose, not $20M. They knew going in that it was a required part of the application to get paid $25,000,000 ... and they didn't make certain that it got done. That's mind-blowing and speaks volumes imho.

The potential negative effect of losing COTA or the USGP is greatly exaggerated anyway. Always has been ... which imho is one reason to begrudge the way COTA taps the fund (not the fact that they use it).

turn1 · #**2211** Posted **Mar 10, 2019, 6:22 PM**

BTW I've heard the proposed motorsport hotel/condo deal at COTA is dead & the developer took it to Vegas for a try there.

AusTxDevelopment · #**2212** Posted **Mar 10, 2019, 9:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by turn1

BTW I've heard the proposed motorsport hotel/condo deal at COTA is dead & the developer took it to Vegas for a try there.

Bummer. I knew it was a better fit for someplace like Vegas or Miami (or Abu Dabai), but Forza was my favorite bat-sh*t over-the-top Austin development proposal.

Eightfold's original-Star-Trek-effects-level version is my second.

The ATX · #**2213** Posted **Mar 10, 2019, 9:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by turn1

BTW I've heard the proposed motorsport hotel/condo deal at COTA is dead & the developer took it to Vegas for a try there.

Is Vegas confirmed as a second U.S. race yet? Vegas, NYC/NJ, Miami have been trying for years to get a race.

turn1 · #**2214** Posted **Mar 10, 2019, 11:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by The ATX

Is Vegas confirmed as a second U.S. race yet? Vegas, NYC/NJ, Miami have been trying for years to get a race.

Nope. Nothing's confirmed there, but they're better off going there than Miami imho. They seem awfully infatuated with Miami tho, so who knows. However, it's not so much that those places have been trying for a race as much as it's F1 trying to get a race in those places (except in the case of Weehawken).

And to be clear, I'm not sure if what I heard applied to just the condos, to the hotel, or to both.

KevinFromTexas · #**2215** Posted **Mar 26, 2019, 7:39 AM**

A B2 Stealth Bomber flew over COTA on Saturday for the Indycar race.

https://twitter.com/JerryJordan_KTT/...3-cbb947090ef2

txtriathlete · #**2216** Posted **Mar 26, 2019, 2:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

A B2 Stealth Bomber flew over COTA on Saturday for the Indycar race.

https://twitter.com/JerryJordan_KTT/...3-cbb947090ef2

Wow. Great photo!

Sigaven · #**2217** Posted **Mar 26, 2019, 3:59 PM**

What stealth bomber? I can't see it!

StoOgE · #**2218** Posted **Mar 26, 2019, 4:13 PM**

The race was a lot of fun. The facility is far too large for these smaller (non-F1) events.

The soccer field is nowhere near ready and their home opener is this weekend.

the Genral · #**2219** Posted **Mar 26, 2019, 5:09 PM**

I was a little disappointed and embarrassed by all the empty seats especially since this event garnered a sizable worldwide tv audience, but I didn't help much by not being able to attend. But from what I read, Epstein and the race teams weren't all that concerned about it. There's guaranteed prize money and allotted points regardless of the fan turnout, and the drivers got to compete on a world class race track. What I didn't see was any shots of downtown or much talk about it, or a whole lot of banter about the track from the drivers like you do with F1. Frankly, there's was a fraction of the buzz that F1 generates. Loved the rolling start and no limit racing. That made it more fun to watch. Just want to mention that when Indy races at TMS, there are quite a few empty seats there too. Another thing I found interesting was that COTA was putting up a $100,000 bonus despite losing out on 25 mil and relatively poor attendance. I do hope they do a better job promoting next year. I saw a ton of adverts regarding the Indy 500 leading up to this race. I know the racers are here to race, get points and get paid, but I'm sure they notice all the empty seats. Would hate to see a been there done that happen and the loss of incentive to come here every year because of that.

turn1 · #**2220** Posted **Mar 27, 2019, 3:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigaven

What stealth bomber? I can't see it!

They had a stealth bomber flyby in honor of the stealth crowd...