Hey Austin, Tx - Status on F1 Track

[nnjhawk02]

Was wondering a couple of tings;

1.  How is the track build going?

2.  What do Austin peeps think about it?

3.  What's the area like where they're building it?

4.  Do U think they will finish it all by June 2012?

Lastly, C U There > Road Trip  

[Orson]

I dream of a circuit built on the undulating terrain out west of town  

but I hear they will build it in the flat lands  

[satxbonneville]

While not as dramatic as it could have been had it been built in the hills, there are some elevation changes in the course. That run up the slope into the first turn looks to be pretty interesting but would be more so on a MotoGP or SBK machine. Rumor has MotoGP talking to the Austin track folks...it's been denied...but Kevin Schwantz is an investor and the contract at Indy was renewed for only one additional year...

[Orson]

While not as dramatic as it could have been had it been built in the hills, there are some elevation changes in the course.

huh...well, that looks better'n I imagined  

[yotes65]

I would head over to Austin to watch MotoGP...

Indy is a bit far. Use to head there for work once in awhile... not a big fan, but that is just me.

[FJRmgm]

I dream of a circuit built on the undulating terrain out west of town  

but I hear they will build it in the flat lands  

not flat where they are building it - some nice hills there but not like west of town.

I have a friend I ride with who is an SCCA official and he has a friend who lives within two miles of the new track site so we are going to ride up there from Houston  in the next month or so to see him and check on progress.

Stand by.

[vfrrider]

I go past that site frequently and something is happening, just can't say how they are doing. Supposedly they are still in the contractor negotiation phase.

I'll check when I'm down there this month.

Larry
VFRrider

[nnjhawk02]

Thanks Guys

Big hug for ya, since everything is BIGGER in Texas

[Blunder]

Pic posted today on Soup.



http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2011/Apr/110405austin.htm

[stromgal]

All that whispering about MotoGP in the future..... wonder what's happening behind the scenes.

[Kneescrubber]

I've got my fingers crossed.

http://superbikeplanet.com/2011/Apr/110407texas2.htm

[satxbonneville]

I've got my fingers crossed.

http://superbikeplanet.com/2011/Apr/110407texas2.htm

Oh, hell yeah! 65 miles from my house to the track.  

[nnjhawk02]

Suppose to be big announcement tomorrow on Speed @ 8pm or online

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/

This is regarding the Austin race next year.  I'm thinking they'll state they wont be ready

[stromgal]

It's going to be called 'Circuit of the Americas'.........AND...............






 

Tuesday's news conference...which included an announcement that Austin officials have agreed on a 10-year contract bringing MotoGP to the facility beginning in 2013.

Kevin Schwantz:

For me this is a dream come true, that the MotoGP World Championship will be in my home state of Texas. I am such a believer in the sport and know how popular motorcycling is in Texas. I am sure that this will be a resounding long term success.

[satxbonneville]

 

[Ketch]

 

Can I buy my ticket yet?    

[Kneescrubber]

I have friends and family in and around Austin. No more riding to California. Can I get a hallelujah.

[steve.m]

i heard a rumor about this, but seriously seeing it being put together makes me feel kinda funny...like when we used to climb the rope in gym class

[stromgal]

I've got a bunch of friends in San Antonio, and it's funny how their responses vary--- from 'Party Is On!!!' to 'Well, we'll see if this actually happens.'

Trying to entice the 'wait and see' folks into a wee wager...  

[Kneescrubber]

I've got a bunch of friends in San Antonio, and it's funny how their responses vary--- from 'Party Is On!!!' to 'Well, we'll see if this actually happens.'

Trying to entice the 'wait and see' folks into a wee wager...  

They have a website: http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/

What more do you need?

[stromgal]

I don't need anything. Some of these Texans are hide-bound conservatives, however.  

[Roadhound]

I can't see MOTOGP lasting over 3 years in Austin. I've been riding out to Laguna Seca for races ever since I rode out for the last 500 CC GP races in 94. I've ridden out for World Superbike and for MOTOGP. I just can't see what Austin Texas has that can compare with What Laguna Seca offers. The PCH, the whole Monterey scene, Big Sur, San Fransisco with Fishermans Wharf, roads that have to be ridden to believe . This whole thing seems to me to be a big waste of $$ or a big tax write off for somebody. I look for it to be a gigantic white elephant. I hope I'm wrong for the sake of the sport, but I just don't think so.

[Orson]

Even the PCH and Monterrey couldn't save the USGP

the Laguna Seca USGP of the late 1980s and early 1990s saw a steady decline in attendance.

I think it was a case of "been there, done that"

Only the truly hardcore were attending near the end of its run. I read that when Kenny Roberts promoted the 1993 USGP, he ended up losing a lotta money.

[Blunder]

The story goes that Kenny lost over a million of his own money.

That era of GPs at Laguna slowly died away, IMO, because the track facilities and access for the spectators were still very primitive. Getting in and out of the place was very un-organized and the parking situation was a shambles. The seating accommodations (grandstands, a concept that eludes me at a place like Laguna) were few; there was smaller main straight seating than exists now and the benches on the outside of 4 were far fewer. If you weren't a die-hard fan it was too much to suffer more than once or twice.

All that has changed because of Mazda and Yamaha money infusions and a much more professional track organization that puts in the effort to improve things.

I hope Austin succeeds. MotoGP is a hell of a show. People from all over the world attend (you tell them apart because they talk different and wear funny shoes, and I'm not talkin' 'bout the yankees) and bring their own special fervor to the races.

[nnjhawk02]

I hope Austin succeeds. MotoGP is a hell of a show. People from all over the world attend (you tell them apart because they talk different and wear funny shoes, and I'm not talkin' 'bout the yankees) and bring their own special fervor to the races.

I've never been to Laguna race, but I rode out to Indy in '08.  As a race fan of F1 & MotoGP, SBK & AMA.  I want to keep my streak alive

Went to 1st F1 @ Indy in 2000, 1st MotoGP @ Indy (Hi to Hurricane Ike).

I plan to ride to both F1 & GP in Austin - anybody got a couch?

All I can think about is all those sweet roads between here (Eastern Pa)  & Texas

[steve.m]

I can't see MOTOGP lasting over 3 years in Austin. I've been riding out to Laguna Seca for races ever since I rode out for the last 500 CC GP races in 94. I've ridden out for World Superbike and for MOTOGP. I just can't see what Austin Texas has that can compare with What Laguna Seca offers. The PCH, the whole Monterey scene, Big Sur, San Fransisco with Fishermans Wharf, roads that have to be ridden to believe . This whole thing seems to me to be a big waste of $$ or a big tax write off for somebody. I look for it to be a gigantic white elephant. I hope I'm wrong for the sake of the sport, but I just don't think so.

You sir, must have never travelled to austin.  while it's a landlocked city, it certainly has more than it's fair share of natural spectacle, and the roads in and around austin are up there with some of the best i've ridden.  not as long, but just as challenging.  I've ridden most of this country, including all of the CA coastline and some of the roads around austin are hilly and winding to the point they'll make you nauseous.  

also bear in mind that they're building a track in a part of the country where folks will pay to see races of any sort, having F1 and GP so close by is a guaranteed draw for folks from houston and dallas, both cities have a large expat population who i'm sure would LOVE to see their favorite drivers/riders tear up the hill country.

[Kneescrubber]

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/f1-funding-process-worked-in-reverse-1525354.html

[stromgal]

I would expect that, after some righteous squabbling, the Austin council will get behind it even if it wasn't 'their' idea. Good for tourism- hotels/restaurants/saloons.

[DangerMoney]

As a big Formula One fan, I wish the organizers the best of luck. Having been to F1 races in Phoenix and Indy and the short time they were hosted there, I think they're going to have a tough time financially given that they've signed a contract to host F1 for ten years.  I understand having the race adjacent to Canada on the calendar is great logistically for the F1 operation but the heat in June will be tough on all.

F1 2012 Calendar

11 March Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir
18 March Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne
1 April Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang
8 April Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai
22 April Korean Grand Prix, Yeongam
6 May Turkish Grand Prix, Istanbul *
20 May Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona
27 May Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo
10 June Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal
17 June United States Grand Prix, Austin
1 July European Grand Prix, Valencia
15 July British Grand Prix, Silverstone
29 July German Grand Prix, Hockenheim
5 August Hungarian Grand Prix, Hungaroring
2 September Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps
9 September Italian Grand Prix, Monza
30 September Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay
14 October Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka
28 October Indian Grand Prix, Greater Noida
11 November Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina
25 November Brazilian Grand Prix, Interlagos

[miles]

 I understand having the race adjacent to Canada

Dude- look at a map.  Austin, TX, is not adjacent to Canada at all.

[DangerMoney]

Dude- look at a map.  Austin, TX, is not adjacent to Canada at all.

Dude:
Read the whole sentence:

having the race adjacent to Canada on the calendar

[Kneescrubber]

Dude- look at a map.  Austin, TX, is not adjacent to Canada at all.

Well they are on the same continent.  

[miles]

Dude:
Read the whole sentence:


 

 

[FJRmgm]

just saw on Sundays F1 race where the date for the F1 race in Austin is June 12th 2012..

[DangerMoney]

I doubt it.    June 12, 2012 is a Tuesday.


June 12, 2011 was last Sunday - the day the F1 race was run in Montreal.

The FIA 2012 Calendar ( go back a few posts) says the Austin race is June 17, 2012 which is a Sunday. All F1 races are held on Sundays.

[Kneescrubber]

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/lawsuit-filed-against-state-formula-one-subsidy-1556360.html

A new obstacle.

[magus]

Even the PCH and Monterrey couldn't save the USGP

the Laguna Seca USGP of the late 1980s and early 1990s saw a steady decline in attendance.

I think it was a case of "been there, done that"

Only the truly hardcore were attending near the end of its run. I read that when Kenny Roberts promoted the 1993 USGP, he ended up losing a lotta money.

Yea, Austin really blows as a city. No music scene, no cute coeds, no Hill Country to ride in... and I thought Indianapolis was a boring site for motoGP.

[Orson]

My sister lives in Austin and I've visited regularly since the late 1970s  

My comments were related to the viability of MotoGP as a commercial venture in the USA.

In some other countries like Portugal and South Africa, GP events receive government subsidies. That's not the case in the USA.

[soonerstan56]

My sister lives in Austin and I've visited regularly since the late 1970s  

My comments were related to the viability of MotoGP as a commercial venture in the USA.

In some other countries like Portugal and South Africa, GP events receive government subsidies. That's not the case in the USA.

That is magnified in "Texas USA", the governator,who happens to be a POTUS candidate was the one who mentioned succession because of the government overfunding, (or mandating depending on your political views) social programs.

Stan

[DangerMoney]

The F1 race date has been moved to Nov 18, 2012.

From http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/7140889/End-Of-The-Road-For-Turkey

The FIA has confirmed a 20-race calendar for the 2012 Formula One with the Turkish Grand Prix falling away.

The Turkish GP at Istanbul Park Circuit, which has always been very popular with drivers, has been part of the F1 calendar since 2005 but the future of the race was thrown into doubt earlier this year when local organisers voiced their unhappiness over the high hosting fees.

Turkey was included in the provisional 2012 calendar subject to confirmation, but then left off the updated schedule in early August. Its axing was made official on Wednesday evening when the FIA confirmed that "a fax vote by its members, the World Motor Sport Council has ratified, by unanimous decision" the new calendar.

The Bahrain GP, which was cancelled earlier this year due to unrest in the country, returns and will take place on April 22.

2012 F1 calendar
18 March - Australia
25 March - Malaysia
15 April - China
22 April - Bahrain
13 May - Spain
27 May - Monaco
10 June - Canada
24 June - Europe
08 July - Great Britain
22 July - Germany
29 July - Hungary
02 September - Belgium
09 September - Italy
23 September - Singapore
07 October - Japan
14 October - Korea
28 October - India
04 November - Abu Dhabi
18 November - United States
25 November - Brazil

.

[stromgal]

Good time of year for a race in Tejas, considering the drought/heat they've been experiencing.

Question is- when will the MotoGP be run?

[DangerMoney]

From http://www.planet-f1.com/driver/18227/7312334/Bernie-100-sure-US-GP-will-be-axed

Bernie Ecclestone is on the verge of axing the United States Grand Prix before even its first edition.

Earlier this week, construction on the Circuit of The Americas ground to a halt because of a dispute between Formula One, race promoters and developers.

Tavo Hellmund's Full Throttle Production was believed to own the rights to host the race, however, the contract was recently cancelled by Ecclestone after Hellmund was found to be in breach.

And although Ecclestone attempted to agree a deal with the Circuit of The Americas, COTA claimed in a statement that "the contract between Formula One and Circuit of The Americas has not been conveyed to Circuit of The Americas per a previously agreed upon timetable."

This has thrown the race's place on the 2012 calendar into doubt with Ecclestone saying the only reason there is no contract is because COTA have not issued a guarantee that the F1 supremo will be paid.

"We've done everything we bloody well can do to make this race happen," Ecclestone told Press Association.

Explaining the situation, the 81-year-old said: "We had an agreement with Full Throttle Productions.

"Everything was signed and sealed, but we kept putting things off like the dates, various letters of credit and things that should have been sent, but nothing ever happened.

"Then these other people (COTA) came on the scene, saying that they wanted to do things, but that they had problems with Tavo.

"They said they had the circuit, and that they wanted an agreement with me. I told them they had to sort out the contract with Tavo, which they said they would.

"But that has gone away now because we've cancelled Tavo's contract as he was in breach.

"We've waited six months for him to remedy the breach. He knows full well why we've cancelled. He's happy.

"But these other people haven't got a contract. All we've asked them to do is get us a letter of credit.

"We are looking for security for money they are going to have to pay us. That is via a letter of credit, normally from a bank.

"If people don't have the money they find it difficult to get the letter of credit, and so we don't issue a contract."

Pressed as to whether the United States GP will be dropped when the official calendar is revealed on December 7th, Ecclestone said: "Yes, it will be, for sure, 100 percent."

[stromgal]

Bernie wants his up-front 'fee' so his daughter can pay for Aaron Spelling's manse.  

 Honestly, I'm bummed about this. It was going to be a neat venue, and I was looking forward to attending races with my Texan buddies.  Hope they can pull it off somehow.

[nnjhawk02]

Watching Sao Paulo race now & pre race, Speed guy, Will Buxton was yapping to Bernie & asked about Austin race.

Will - I heard they need to sign the contract & send money

Bernie - Uh yeah, I think they need a pen & money

LMAO - Classic Bernie

[nnjhawk02]

Its ON

Bernie Got Paid - as always - Thank U

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111207/FREE/111209913

See U in Nov. 2012

BTW - Ur man Red McCombs paid the midget piper

???

The track is SE of Austin in Elroy, Tx - Is that correct?

[Kneescrubber]

Correct.

[stromgal]

I wonder if Epstein and Hellmund had at it with tasers at 10 paces.  

While this is good news, I wonder if they can 'git 'er done' in time?

http://assets.circuitoftheamericas.com/cota_press/assets/news/111207/COTA_Go_Release12_7_11.pdf

[Kneescrubber]

I wonder if Epstein and Hellmund had at it with tasers at 10 paces.  

While this is good news, I wonder if they can 'git 'er done' in time?

http://assets.circuitoftheamericas.com/cota_press/assets/news/111207/COTA_Go_Release12_7_11.pdf

Well if this winter is anything like last (extremely dry) I don't see why not.


















 

[DogBoy]

Its good news the construction is moving forward and I'm very relieved that Ecclestones's family won't be out on the street. Whew.

[nnjhawk02]

Its good news the construction is moving forward and I'm very relieved that Ecclestones's family won't be out on the street. Whew.

Needs the $$ for the poor daughter of his, Daddy, I need to redecorate the little shack U just bought me

[X1Glider]

Good to know they're back to pushing dirt around.  Rode by about a month ago and felt saddened by the possibility it might never be finished.  Now I just wonder if it will be done on time.

[nnjhawk02]

OK Austin folks some more ?'s - my bro is booking hotels - not to well so far, as everyone has had bad ratings, bed bugs   or in the 'hood

Thus, is north of Austin on I-35 (just north of Rt. 183) - is that a bad area?  Or what areas should we stay away from?

[X1Glider]

OK Austin folks some more ?'s - my bro is booking hotels - not to well so far, as everyone has had bad ratings, bed bugs   or in the 'hood

Not surprised, given that Austin is the capital of the USA for white Rastafarians who don't bathe or wash their hair but once a year!

I like to stick to hotel chains that have name recognition personally.

Thus, is north of Austin on I-35 (just north of Rt. 183) - is that a bad area?  Or what areas should we stay away from?

That's suburbs so it's ok but you're getting further away from the track.  If you just want to be close to the races and can stand a 10 minute drive, you can search in Manor or Bastrop...small towns.  If you want to be close to town (6th St, the Capitol) any chain will do ya.

[nnjhawk02]

Not surprised, given that Austin is the capital of the USA for white Rastafarians who don't bathe or wash their hair but once a year!

I like to stick to hotel chains that have name recognition personally.

That's suburbs so it's ok but you're getting further away from the track.  If you just want to be close to the races and can stand a 10 minute drive, you can search in Manor or Bastrop...small towns.  If you want to be close to town (6th St, the Capitol) any chain will do ya.

Thanks for info Bastrop looks like a perfect location.

[nnjhawk02]

Let the price gouging begin.

Luckily my brother already got a place.

Hmm, $277. per nite for a Super 8  

What will Motel 6 be $350. - don't leave the light on  

[Kneescrubber]

As a former resident I have plenty of friends and relatives to slum with.  

[X1Glider]

Let the price gouging begin.

Luckily my brother already got a place.

Hmm, $277. per nite for a Super 8  

What will Motel 6 be $350. - don't leave the light on  

Yikes!!!

MAybe sleeping in the car is a better idea.  I'll watch the race from the comfort of my own sofa.

[bluedogok]

OK Austin folks some more ?'s - my bro is booking hotels - not to well so far, as everyone has had bad ratings, bed bugs   or in the 'hood

Thus, is north of Austin on I-35 (just north of Rt. 183) - is that a bad area?  Or what areas should we stay away from?

If you want to stay north go for a Round Rock address, the are that you mentioned is probably the worst part of town where there are many motels, my wife's office is in that area. Our house is in South Austin (wanna buy it?) and there are quite a few newer ones that opened up like Holiday Inn Express type places on Ben White (US290W) and down in the Buda/Kyle area around Cabela's. Those would be closer to the track anyway than the hood along north I-35.

[vfrrider]

Stay north of Round Rock or south of Kyle and just get one 130 and it takes you right to the track.

Personally, I'll probably stay with relatives and moto right in, AS SOON AS TICKETS get posted. Until than, it could still crater.

Larry
VFRrider

[Ketch]

It's 54 miles away from me..Looks like a day trip  

[R Doug]

I may sit this one out and watch on TV.  I'm itching for a road trip in 2013 on the motorcycle to go see the MotoGP boys there.  

Let's see if they can work the bugs out in 2012 for F1.  Though I did attend the initial F1 and MotoGP races at Indy, that's a facility that know how to handle large crowds.  They've been doing it for a while.  

[Dave.TX]

Reading about Austin and the hotel situations got me laughing.   I don't go to Austin unless I have to. The track in Elroy is in a slum area, no doubt about it. The property had to be cheap. Not sure if they're buying and removing all the 40 year old single and double wides there or not. The two 2 lane roads going in and out can't support the traffic that the track is going to demand unless they're upgraded. Once on the toll road you'll be better off.

As for hotels/motels, if you can get something that has easy access to SH 130 (the toll road) then it doesn't take too long. Also if you don't mind a drive, Bastrop is probably a good bet as a lot of the businesses there have been built up in the last decade and still in good shape. Manor only has one motel but it's only 20 minutes from Elroy via the toll. Buda and Kyle are just south on I-35 and close access to the toll also. The only east/west "highway" is 71 and that's stop 'n go through the area complete with traffic lights and Bergstrom airport just west of the track.

I'm not a fan of Austin (politics) but don't think it's a whole lot different than other towns. West is where the money is, east is where it isn't. The track is east.

Maybe I can rent out a room in my house, I'm about 10 minutes east of Manor...  

[Kneescrubber]

Maybe I can rent out a room in my house, I'm about 10 minutes east of Manor...  

You can bet there'll be a lot of that going on. Fortunately, I have a lot of friends and relatives in and around Austin. So I'm not worried about a place to stay.

[bluedogok]

Reading about Austin and the hotel situations got me laughing.   I don't go to Austin unless I have to. The track in Elroy is in a slum area, no doubt about it. The property had to be cheap. Not sure if they're buying and removing all the 40 year old single and double wides there or not. The two 2 lane roads going in and out can't support the traffic that the track is going to demand unless they're upgraded. Once on the toll road you'll be better off.

I wouldn't consider Elroy a "slum area", it is pretty much nothing but rural land with so few houses or trailers (let alone apartments) that it would be hard to find anything resembling a slum there. Kind of hard to be a slum if there are only 50 people living in 15 square miles or so. The land where the track is located had already been purchased by a developer before the bust and had planned to put something like 2,000 homes on that land, that is who they bought the land from. The development stalled going through the environmental impact process and then the bottom dropped out of the development economy. Hence why the land was available somewhat cheaply. I was hoping that it would've been a little further out 71 in Bastrop County, things always go smoother in the development business once you get the Austin-Travis County busy bodies out of their jurisdiction. There is absolutely no way this could have been built in western Travis County or even Hays County now. It would've had to have been in Blanco County or so to get done.

They have already started some work on the roads out there, odds are they will not be completed by November though, the county does nothing in any sort of hurry.

[DangerMoney]

From http://www.planet-f1.com/driver/18227/7441943/Austin-circuit-on-track

The Circuit of the Americas is well on its way to being completed in August, right on schedule, organisers have revealed.

The US Grand Prix was thrown into doubt last year when race organisers and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone were unable to agree on the financial details of the deal. The conflict caused construction on the track to be halted for a number of weeks and it was only after a last-minute resolution was found in mid-December that construction was restarted.

However, with the race date shifted from June to November, it appears that the break in construction will not prove costly, with the track expected to be finished months in advance.

"The race is on. Construction is happening six days a week," Circuit of the Americas sales officer Geoff Moore told Autosport.

"The paddock buildings are being topped off, work on the main grandstand has started and we are looking at mid-August for completion."

[FJR1300]

From http://www.planet-f1.com/driver/18227/7441943/Austin-circuit-on-track

 

[Dave.TX]

I agree that the whole process would've gone a lot smoother had it been done in Bastrop County. The city of Austin is going to do what they can to annex the property for their revenue and later bureaucratic BS. There's already news of them de-annexing Del Valle, there just isn't enough money out there for them. APD doesn't patrol much out there anyway.

Maybe slum was a poor choice for what's located east of the property on Elroy Rd? I've been out there and it ain't pretty. When they fly over the venue in the helicopters and blimps they'll be sure not to zoom in on anything east of the track or on McAngus Rd. The track will hopefully raise property values but it will never resemble Westlake Hills, not that anyone is expecting it to.

I'm reminded on where Texas Motor Speedway is and what a great venue it is. I've been to what used to be called Sears Point (now Infineon) for a NASCAR race back in the 90's. Great area, away from any city, rolling hills and nice views. Picturesque, if you will. They could have that here with some work.

[DangerMoney]

From http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7449634/Austin-begins-the-ticketing-process

As the Circuit of the Americas moves closer to its F1 debut, organisers have opened the ticketing process.

Starting on Monday, 23rd January and extending through to 13th February, fans wishing to attending the 2012 grand prix in Austin, Texas can join the Select Seating Wait List via the official website.

This will allow them to be first in line to purchase a 'personal seat license', which cost between $1,000 to $5,000 and entitle the holder to be given priority when purchasing tickets for all racing events at Circuit of The Americas for the next 15 years.

"We are receiving great interest in tickets every day from fans around the world," said Geoff Moore, chief marketing and sales officer for COTA.

"In order to effectively manage the demand, we have created a two-stage ticketing process to help fans better understand the opportunities available.

"We want every fan to get the ticket that is right and affordable for them. In this first stage, we are showing off the incredible entertainment experience our main grandstand offers."

The United States Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on 18th November.

[stromgal]

Feck the negativity-- I'm looking forward to a MotoGP in Austin or Elroy or whatever the heck the locals call it. I WILL be there when the bikes fire up.

[Orson]

18th of November??

bloody 'ell...do they even have an off-season anymore?  

[satxbonneville]

"Personal Seat License"?

Ticketmaster must be positively green with envy.

 

[Atitalongtime]

newspaper report

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2012/02/09/official_despite_rains_work_mo.html?cxntfid=blogs_formula_austin

[nnjhawk02]

I may sit this one out and watch on TV.  I'm itching for a road trip in 2013 on the motorcycle to go see the MotoGP boys there.  

Let's see if they can work the bugs out in 2012 for F1.  Though I did attend the initial F1 and MotoGP races at Indy, that's a facility that know how to handle large crowds.  They've been doing it for a while.  

Ditto - I too did the Indy double & was looking forward to F1 race, but due to bad cage crash last Oct, that has me still out of work & Mom's 75 BDay @ same time, I'll watch it on Speed.  But will attempt to ride to track for '13 MotoGP.  That would be a great road trip for me, going thru West Va, Kent., Tenn., Ark. - man all the sweet roads between me & Elroy  

newspaper report

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2012/02/09/official_despite_rains_work_mo.html?cxntfid=blogs_formula_austin

I especially like the uninformed comments below article...Hi Tina Teabagger

[Kneescrubber]

Update from a week ago.

[FJR1300]

[Kneescrubber]

Glad to know you aren't ignoring me.  

[Atitalongtime]

Building topping out...


http://austin.culturemap.com/newsdetail/04-12-12-16-23-austins-formula-1-on-track-construction-topped-out-on-pits/

[Dave.TX]

For recent updates check http://circuitoftheamericas.com/track

I don't care if it's MotoGP, World Superbike or AMA Superbike... I'll watch it.