Austin Tx: First ever purpose built Formula One track in the U.S.

[RottenWillow]

No doubt our man Super Dave is already well aware of this. Outside Tx though probably only F1 fans know about it.

We've hosted an American Grand Prix on a few different tracks in the U.S. over the years but neither was purpose built for Formula one. And no I don't count that infield track at Indy. This is a massive commitment for a U.S state.

Not supposed to open until June 2012 so I'm not sure if it is possible it could host a GP that season.

Video here:

Texas Comptroller experiences Formula 1 | kvue.com | KVUE News | Austin, TX | Breaking News

And here sort of a topographical representation of what the track will look like. Looks bad ass.

Formula 1? - The Official F1? Website

 

[b0und]

So why build it in Austin?

Wouldn't it be more commercially viable in LA or NY?
















b0und (just wondering)

 

[Oceano]

Formula 1 is brilliant this year, but as a fan of the sportbut I'm disappointed to see the race taken to Austin Texas and not the streets of one of the more glamourous commercial centres like Manhattan or Los Angeles.

 

[-SD-]

So why build it in Austin?

Wouldn't it be more commercially viable in LA or NY?

Because I live here. Duh.

 

[RottenWillow]

Austin is a very cool, progressive city, so I wasn't particularly shocked to find the track was going there. I'm amped they decided to build a real GP circuit for the U.S.

 

[jnevin]

According to the drivers and riders, we have one of the best tracks in the world here in the SLC, but it's more for bikes and LeMans racing. I saw Mario Andretti (<sp?) here las year and that ngr's like 5'3". I would love to go to an F1 race. Fucking insane.

 

[jnevin]

Sick. Those straights look like they'd be close to 200 mph. The elevation and sweeping turns look like a decent amount of downforce will be needed too, so definitely badass.

 

[-SD-]

Austin is a good place for an F1 track since its european roots appeal to Austins many liberals while the fact that its cars racing around a track appeals to the many nascar fans, of which the state of texas itself has many.

 

[jnevin]

Austin is a good place for an F1 track since its european roots appeal to Austins many liberals while the fact that its cars racing around a track appeals to the many nascar fans, of which the state of texas itself has many.

F1 and nascar have almost nothing in common. Very little passing, fast cars are nowhere near the pack, and very few crashes. F1 is appealing to people that love strategy and engineering.

 

[RottenWillow]

According to the drivers and riders, we have one of the best tracks in the world here in the SLC, but it's more for bikes and LeMans racing. I saw Mario Andretti (<sp?) here las year and that ngr's like 5'3". I would love to go to an F1 race. Fucking insane.

We've got Road Atlanta here, though it's not actually in Atlanta. You gotta drag your ass like an hour up the interstate to hicksville Brazellton, but the track is awesome.

The capstone of the American LeMans Racing Series, the Petit LeMan, just ran two days ago. It was awesome. Prototypes 1 and 2, plus the GT classes, just like the Euro races. Even Ferrari ran. It's now a fully integrated series and the Euros run in it too. Pit passes are like stupidly cheap.

also, the superwowie porsche hybrid ran, which made a bit of history
Porsche Hybrid Race Car Makes U.S. Debut At Road Atlanta (Video) - Driver's Seat - WSJ

 

[-SD-]

F1 and nascar have almost nothing in common. Very little passing, fast cars are nowhere near the pack, and very few crashes. F1 is appealing to people that love strategy and engineering.

Ok

 

[RottenWillow]

Ok

Yer both right.

I'm sure there's some expectation that they'll pull in some American touring car (NASCAR) fans that hopefully will stick around and become fans. I guarantee they'll make the price point for tickets to first few American GP's considerably more affordable than for the Euro GP's.

It's also true that racing open wheeled cars running on a simulated road circuit is WAY different than racing full fendered sports cars on an American style banked "super speedway" track. Speeds are generally lower, and like Nev said, way fewer crashes.

 

[billfred]

So why build it in Austin?

Wouldn't it be more commercially viable in LA or NY?


b0und (just wondering)

Let's see:

1) Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in America going from 800k to almost 2 million in the last 10 yrs
2) Not bankrupt like the other two you mentioned
3) No Corporate or personal income tax

I think they probably picked the right place to grow the sport in the future.

 

[-SD-]

Let's see:

1) Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in America going from 800k to almost 2 million in the last 10 yrs
2) Not bankrupt like the other two you mentioned
3) No Corporate or personal income tax

I think they probably picked the right place to grow the sport in the future.

We got maybe 1mil if you count metro area but yea thats all correct and wont take long to get 2mil

 

[IrightI]

Formula 1 is brilliant this year, but as a fan of the sportbut I'm disappointed to see the race taken to Austin Texas and not the streets of one of the more glamourous commercial centres like Manhattan or Los Angeles.

because the drivers all wanted to be able to go to 6th street and catch Ducksoup or go to Antone's....

 

[Oceano]

because the drivers all wanted to be able to go to 6th street and catch Ducksoup or go to Antone's....

I guess I'm thinking from a perspective of someone who's not from the US, most non-Americans would never have heard of Austin never mind know where it is. I think a race through Manhattan would've been legendary but probably unworkable, I'm sure Austin will be good too, after all the rest of the F1 GPs (bar Monte Carlo) aren't located in famous city venues.