F1 back in the USA

[henk4]

Austin Texas will host the US GP as of 2012. A brand new track is being constructed, and the contract will last until 2020.

[f6fhellcat13]

While I guess I'm happy that this is occurring, I hate how Bernie just has to follow the money instead of putting the GP at one of America's many tried and true racetracks.

[cmcpokey]

i guess i will be headed to texas in 2012. i was never in the financial standing, or had the time off work, to make it to indy. i too wish it was at an established track (cough Laguna cough), but if the US gets a new, world class track out of the deal, how can that be a bad thing.

i guess a hermann tilke track would be a non-good thing, and that's what i am sure it will be. but maybe he will create a turkey and not a bahrain. any speculation if he will make the track star shaped?

[f6fhellcat13]

Is Austin hilly country? One of my least favorite things about his circuits is that he either ignores or misuses elevation changes, which I think are just about key to a good track.
I was also rooting for Laguna.

[cmcpokey]

Is Austin hilly country? One of my least favorite things about his circuits is that he either ignores or misuses elevation changes, which I think are just about key to a good track.
I was also rooting for Laguna.

it is hilly, lots of rolling hills much like central california. so there is a lot of opportunity to make a great track. but i am not expecting brilliance.

[Ferrer]

Well, I guess it was tough to stay out of such a big market.

[Matra et Alpine]

Nice looking track not far at About Us | Harris Hill Road
Could be the basis of expansion and the hope that it is NOT a boring Tilke track.
A reson to visit Austin - at last

[cmcpokey]

i wouldn't expect that they would renovate that particular track. and i actually expect them to build one from scratch. either way, i think i still owe you beers from years ago, so maybe we can hit up down town austin in a few years.

[Matra et Alpine]

HELL NO .... I'm holding you to those beers for a Seca trip

[cmcpokey]

well, you better hurry, i am here for less than a year more. maybe you shoudl just come in august and hook up with Wouter and Pieter as well.

[aiasib]

some renders from their site regarding elevation..

[Matra et Alpine]

^^^^^ Just to be clear. THAT is a current short race track.
Whilst a nice track it needs work to extend and make a serious F1 contender.
But I was suggesting it coudl prove an interersting starting point for an extension.
NOTHING on the new track seems to be reported anywhere ... and yet it's to be ready in 2 years ? Can't see a green field site managing that

[csl177]

Nice looking track not far at About Us | Harris Hill Road
Could be the basis of expansion and the hope that it is NOT a boring Tilke track.
A reason to visit Austin - at last

THE main reason to visit Austin is music. Some great local bands plus it's a major tour stop, and more important than Nashville in some respects of the music biz. Regarding the track it's going to be all new according to Bernie's PR, built for the purpose. A shame as Austin could do a pretty neat street circuit for reasonable cost. Wonder who's funding the new track? If it's going to be ready in only 2 years, they better get busy.

[Kitdy]

Street circuits are typically boring though csl - see Monaco, Valencia and I think those old US street circuits were apparently bad too. Montreal somehow often tends to be very exciting - but it's a hybrid between permanent and street.

[csl177]

Not all street circuits are boring, at least historically. The issue though is expense: a purpose-built facility in Texas is a sure-fire money loser at the taxpayer trough. So, why Tejas? All the historic US F1 tracks were ruled out long ago...