Circuit of the Americas Development Updates

[The ATX]

This article says the race is close to selling out and that COTA may build more seats.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/austin-f1-track-may-build-more-seats-due-060500971--irl.html

[BevoLJ]

Already selling out? Good for them!

[Austin55]

This is by far my favorite project in Texas. Austin is such an awesome place, and F1 and motorsports in general is one of the few things I love more than architecture. I'd like to get down there for the F1, but dunno. V8 Supercars and ALMS are also gonna be really tempting to get me down there, along with just visiting the great City and checking out all the awesome development in the Capital.

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by Austin55

This is by far my favorite project in Texas. Austin is such an awesome place, and F1 and motorsports in general is one of the few things I love more than architecture. I'd like to get down there for the F1, but dunno. V8 Supercars and ALMS are also gonna be really tempting to get me down there, along with just visiting the great City and checking out all the awesome development in the Capital.

Sounds like great excuses to come on down. I use TMS as a reason to visit your great cities.
Now a possible 2nd Indy race this year at TMS might give me one more.

[Austin55]

Well, Sorry then, it aint happening.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/motorsports...ty-to-host-indycar-series-season-finale/

[turn1]

FB/F1 in America has posted some new construction photos from yesterday's tour:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.331946410215065.74852.112835585459483&type=1

Highlights:

[hookem]

I love those pics. They show all sorts of little items I've been wondering about like barriers, etc. The starting gate is up now and visible in a couple of the pics, and you can clearly see the red crane is working on vertical construction of the amphitheater (or possibly the tower).

I was at the Formula Expo, and there was a company that does helicopter tours of the hill Country, lakes, downtown Austin and San Antonio, and now the F1 track. http://www.austinhelicoptertours.com/austin/circuit-of-the-americas-austin-tour.html He had several aerial photos from just a few days ago which I have not seen anywhere on the web... wish I had asked permission to photograph some of them!

Also at the Expo, I learned at the RunTex booth that there will be a race at CoTA (5K?) on November 3rd. Two weeks before the USGP. It's not publicized yet, but they said it is happening.

[turn1]

New aerial photos out in this GPWeek article. Like I thought, it looks like about half the track has the first layer of paving...from just before turn 1 to about half way thru the back straight, and the initial "test patch" over around 19-20. They're finishing fill work in the stadium complex, and the westernmost team building is being built. I've been hearing for months that they're gonna build 1 or maybe 2 of the team buildings and leave the other slabs bare to possibly be built up later, starting at the western end. In the meantime, unimproved slabs can be used to accommodate temporary team buildings. There are supposed to be 2 team "buildings" on each of those slabs, so that would be 14 if they build them. I hope they do, but I don't think they plan to:

http://mag.gpweek.com/#folio=8

[turn1]

Turn 9 & Turn 11 West GS announced just a little while ago. These are areas previously designated as trackside Hospitality areas:

[BevoLJ]

How many people are they expecting in all?

[Jdawgboy]

You would think since they are adding more seats, it will be more than the 120K amount they have constantly stated, Id say more now.

[turn1]

I stopped by COTA Monday morning and shot a few pics with my phone. Enjoy!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.482675278413689.122621.157330087614878&type=1

[turn1]

Just saw this aerial video tweeted by @suttonimages:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zn_susU3X4

[BevoLJ]

Very cool. Thanks.

• Video Link

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/s...6/20/county_to_charge_for_parking_a.html

County to charge for parking at lots during F1 race

By Farzad Mashhood | Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 02:54 PM

Travis County plans to charge Formula One fans to park in several lots downtown before they catch shuttles to a race track in southeastern Travis County where a race is planned in November, county commissioners said Tuesday.

County officials will negotiate with a company that runs one of its downtown lots to operate three others during the U.S. Grand Prix, which is scheduled for Nov. 16 through 18.

“I’ve seen some stories about prices, and I guess gouging folks doesn’t sit that well with me,” Judge Sam Biscoe said in Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting. “So I think we ought to charge the market rate, but I really don’t know that we ought to gouge people.”

[Jdawgboy]

Im not really suprised by that move. The county knows it can make easy money. In all likelihood it will still be cheaper compared to other F1 host cities.

[BevoLJ]

@ the 1:15 mark he gave a Hook'em Horns! =)

• Video Link

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by BevoLJ

@ the 1:15 mark he gave a Hook'em Horns! =)

Just what a good COTA ambassador should do.

[BevoLJ]

Lol. Very true. He really does a fantastic sales job in that video. Great job by COTA to have him as their ambassador, and not just because he is one of if not the most famous racer ever. Even a goofball like me who knows nothing about racing knows about him. =)

[the Genral]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

Just what a good COTA ambassador should do.

In the still photo right after his intro, he gives a double 'GIG 'EM' , he also gives a GIG 'EM before he gives the, as you call it a hook 'em but is actually a 'ROCK ON' hand gesture