F1 Track Build-USA
 

I frequent the area quite a bit, but usually only drive past on the toll road (mile from site). Today I stopped to see what had been done. They're pushing some dirt around, that's for sure!

If they'll leave the embankment on the east side for spectators, everything should be able to be viewed from that point. I couldn't guess on the natural grade, but it's fairly decent, maybe 100ft elevation change in a mile?

I snapped a few pics, there's not much more than a start at this point. They're taken from my phone, I don't have a real camera.

East to west, then middle shot.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1301445139.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1301445370.jpg



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1301445461.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1301445488.jpg


I'll try to do this periodically.

Location from which pictures were taken. Google map, search. 30.130151,-97.643502

It will be interesting to see it progress. Thanks!

I sure seems like a big waste of their, and our money to build a new track when there are so many fine tracks around the country that could hold F1. What we don't need now is another track.

I hope that contractor is getting paid.

Name them please, because I can only think of one.

I didn't know it was a sensitive subject. It looks like they're building a big bowl for a NASCAR track.

Deleted lines.

I don't care if F1 ever races there.

Name them, well, Laguna Seca, Road America, Road Atlanta, Mid Ohio, Watkins Glen. And most are in an area of the country people might actually want to visit.

Never been to the Texas Hill country have you? Interesting place....

Good job! I hope the race is in August so the cheese melts to go along with that whine.

Or the 9 months of the year when the weather is almost perfect--unlike most of the frozen north.
May be a great opportunity for Central Texas drivers to have another track to play on:)

These tracks might have been as good as any 40 years ago but time has taken its toll on them. Modern tracks make these look pretty pitiful. They have safety issues, poor accomodations for spectators, poor ingress/egress, lousy garages for the teams...

I hope the Texas project is a success. I'll attend any F1 race there.

JR

Maybe from an infrastructure standpoint but the new tracks that are made are so BORING from a driver standpoint. Infrastructure is fairly easy to change, a quality track layout is not.

Monticello up here just has some silly chicanes that completely ruin the flow of what could have been a really nice layout.

Everyone of you needs to shut up. This track is coming to Austin end of story.

I'll be the first drunk, sun burnt, Ferrari flag totting redneck there!

Thank you chapo, you beat me to it. Yes, they are all beautiful tracks and with a little tweeking, could be made to "Bernie specs". But come-on, Austin Texas?

Have you ever been to Austin? Or even the surrounding Hill Country? Don't knock it till you see it. SmileWavy

And yes, I have been all around this country and still think Austin is one heck of a pretty city.

I'll be there come hell or high water...

I think Austin is beautiful, but I'm not driving that far for a race.

Considering it's the only race on the continent? We would have to drive that far if it was at the glen.....

about 40 min. & voila..
last F1 for me was Hockenheim..
so this will be sweet..

Rika

A lot of the 'scenery' in Austin is also nice to look at.

Thanks for the photos
 

It would not be a minor tweaking. It would be huge financial outlay to bring those existing US tracks and facilities cited up to FIA required standards for an F1 event, and with little chance of any meaningful ROI. Ask Tony George, or better yet his sisters....

And in any event, that's all irrelevant. The reason the USGP is going to Austin (not withstanding Red McCombs' willingness to spend $250M to build a new Tilke-drome) is the State of Texas essentially guaranteeing the $10M or so annual fee to FOM/Bernie. Without having to make that nut themselves, the organizers at least have a chance of making a buck.

I'm still skeptical of the aggressive timeframe. Lots of work to do for a race that would most logically be slated after Canada, or June 2012.

I hope they get it done in time. I'll be there.




Tim

I still wish we could get a WRC round in the US, they don't even have to build anything. There were rumors of a course that was approved in the Chattahoochee National Forest but nothing ever came of it.

What I am worried about is ease of getting to the track. I was in Montreal in 2010 and I have to say that getting to the track was child's play. A blind man could have done it. Plus it only took less then 30 min.

Austin is a different story though. The public transportation is an unknown, and the track isn't located very close to downtown. A solid 20 minute drive toward the SE. I want to figure out how all the teams are going to get from downtown Austin to the track.

I think I may just camp out at the track, though in the middle of June it's going to be 100+ degrees during the day. I am sure gonna want a bed to sleep in at night. This first year will be fun, but you have to go in with the idea in your head that it will only get better with experience and familiarity.

Once we know dates, etc... We need to pick a Hotel and several of us all stay there, carpool out to the track...

Agreed.

I'll be there for sure!

I have family in Austin, but will be looking into renting an RV for the weekend and staying at the track if they allow that. You guys are welcome to come by, pitch a tent what ever. I've done this before and it's a blast with all the support races, practice, qualifying etc. I don't want to miss a moment of it :)

Other tracks suitable for F1 in the US? Probably, but doesn't mean $hit to me if the troll doesn't want to bring the circus there... So, Austin gets my full support!

I do have a bit of that USF1 feeling, as in to good to be true, will it really come together etc. So for the moment I'll remain cautiously optimistic :rolleyes:, keeping the fingers and toes crossed for this race to happen on time. If the Koreans could pull it off I believe the guys putting the Austin GP together have a good chance of success. They certainly have the credentials and proven track record of completing projects...

Will Kimi Raikkonen be back in F1 by Austin GP or driving in NASCAR? Autoweek and Speed TV reporting he will be running the truck series then Nationwide and possibly Cup series? :eek::eek:

That makes sense...But I strongly dislike (and that's an understatement) Texas, if I truly wanted to see an F1 race, I'd rather go to Montreal.

Oh... Didn't think about camping... My folks have an RV I could comandeer.... Wonder what the facilities will be like....

I am with you about Montreal. That's why it was my first Grand Prix. This is definitely going to be challenging the first time, but I think it will turn into a spectacle.

I just WISH it wasn't in June. Can you say sweating?:eek:

I'll never say never. I might have to drive down to Texas and see the race, but I'll wait to see IF there is a race. Bernie is a strange person who talks out of both sides of his mouth.

Follow the progress here....

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Formula-1-Austin-Texas/157330087614878

June of 2012?

With a little over 1 year they are going to turn dirt into a F1 track? :rolleyes:

Did we get canceled again, or has Quebec really separated? :eek:

Les

Visiting Austin this week, this would be good weather for an F1 race. I'll be back for the race only a 10 hour drive from Memphis. Staying in an inexpensive condo, wonder how much the price will go up for the race?

Jay

Pretty sure we ponied up $25m as a state for the deal. Good ole tax payer dollars. I could care less. Getting out of politics was the best move I've made.

As it is now, I'd offer up the space to bunk, but we'd have to lay some claims as to who gets the couch and what not. I have an extra bed, but the dog might not like that. We shall see, i don't plan to stay here, but won't move far. I live about 15 miles due west of the site, and it is going to be murderous to get there from downtown.

The road infrastructure has to change, but west of 130, I don't know what they could come up with (71 east ought to be finished at IH 35, but there is more that has to be done). FM 812 has to be widened from 183 to 130 and beyond, unless they have other plans to build a new road(s). There is a nice toll road that could use some traffic. I saw what went down road wise in Ft worth when that track was first built, it took time.

I'll keep you advised on how to get in and out. Right now, as it is, approach from the east on 812, or on other back roads. I back road it road now from the west, it's 20 minutes.

The locals will help you out. Follow the progress linked above, he's passionate about F1, I'm not. His photos were a bit earlier in the day, same vantage point.

Hey Jay,
There are at least two other Memphis Porsche guys who will make the trip with you! We've driven to motorsports ranch just for a de.

Rick

Rick, sounds like we have the beginnings of a good plan :)

Jay

Road trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

From Leeds Alabama,........may make it in Pippa.....

I too was in Montreal in 2010 and the pp was right...childs play to get to and from.....

I will be there in 12 though come what may....

Neil