Construction has started on the Austin GP Track

[JohnMLTX]

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20101231/F1/101239993

Groundbreaking happened yesterday, and construction has officially started.

[DOSBoot]

Well, I guess they are serious about bringing it here, huh? The question remains is, will the average race fan buy into it? I'll head over there to see it if the track is sucessfully completed, and has a race going over there. It's only about a six hour drive for me, so I can make it.

[F1000X]

[Aerospeed]

They jusssssstttttttt baaaaaaaarrrrrreeeeeeellllyy made their deadline on starting at December! I doubt they'll get anywhere after the USF1 fiasco/farce.

[DOSBoot]

Yep, Bernie is trying to make fools out of us Americans again.

[JohnMLTX]

Haha, well, at least there was no "oh, you didn't make that deadline" permaban like usf1 got.
Already it's looking much less rejectful.

I just wish I could've gone down there for the groundbreaking...
Meh, at least Texas didn't bathplug this up.... yet.
I'll definitely go see the race.

[nome66]

The actual race better not be in any month after March because after that, the proverbial furnace is turned on an almost all of Texas is consistently above 85 F.
Remember Phoenix in 1989? Yea, my sweat glands remember that as well.

[JohnMLTX]

The actual race better not be in any month after March because after that, the proverbial furnace is turned on an almost all of Texas is consistently above 85 F.
Remember Phoenix in 1989? Yea, my sweat glands remember that as well.

I live just outside of dallas, and although i wasn't born till 10 years after the race there (10 years and 13 days after, to be exact), i am astounded that no one died. Temperatures are normally over 100F (38C), and even in december and january, we'll have days in the 90s.

It'll need to be in october or november, or maybe march. And even then, it's pushing it. Also, It rains everywhere in Texas. It's not malaysia bad, but it could happen.

[rdbextreme]

I'm a bit skeptical about the Austin race. Not b/c I don't think they'll finish in time... but b/c the layout is somewhat blah... yes there are some elevation changes, more I can say for many of the F1 tracks now, but I really think the best venue for a return to the US is Indianapolis.

[TomWazzleshaw]

I'm a bit skeptical about the Austin race. Not b/c I don't think they'll finish in time... but b/c the layout is somewhat blah... yes there are some elevation changes, more I can say for many of the F1 tracks now, but I really think the best venue for a return to the US is Indianapolis.

The elevation changes can effectively be ignored because it's all on the climb to turn 1 and the descent on the exit. Other than that the track is pretty much flat.

[F1000X]

I really think the best venue for a return to the US is Indianapolis.

+1

[rdbextreme]

Why build a boring new track in the US when you have an American tradition in Indianapolis with all the necesities there in place, AND a ready fan base to devour the tickets when they go on sale? Bernie get your head out of your old wrinkely ass and stop causing rifts with the Hullman George Family in Indy!

[Rocks with Salt]

To be honest, I'd brave the 100-degree weather if it took place in summer for one reason: SENIOR ROAD TRIP! Besides, I already live in 110-degree weather on a regular basis, so it shouldn't be that bad. I have a feeling they're still gonna bungle this somehow, but a guy can still hope, right?

[JohnMLTX]

To be honest, I'd brave the 100-degree weather if it took place in summer for one reason: SENIOR ROAD TRIP! Besides, I already live in 110-degree weather on a regular basis, so it shouldn't be that bad. I have a feeling they're still gonna bungle this somehow, but a guy can still hope, right?

You're from arizona, right? Think the worst heat from there, with 80% humidity.
That's texas.
And I'm with you on the hoping.

[mario]

The actual race better not be in any month after March because after that, the proverbial furnace is turned on an almost all of Texas is consistently above 85 F.
Remember Phoenix in 1989? Yea, my sweat glands remember that as well.

I live just outside of dallas, and although i wasn't born till 10 years after the race there (10 years and 13 days after, to be exact), i am astounded that no one died. Temperatures are normally over 100F (38C), and even in december and january, we'll have days in the 90s.

It'll need to be in october or november, or maybe march. And even then, it's pushing it. Also, It rains everywhere in Texas. It's not malaysia bad, but it could happen.

It is pretty surprising that the drivers managed to cope with such hot and difficult conditions (although it isn't the first time that a race has been held in such hot conditions, or at least according to Wikipedia - the same peak temperature, of 40ºC (104ºF) was also matched in the 1955 Argentine GP, where everybody apart from Fangio and Mieres had to be substituted due to heat exhaustion, and at the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix).
After all, the temperature within the cockpit, when you've got heat welling up from the engine compartment and brakes, very little airflow and layer upon layer of fireproof overalls, must have been almost intolerable - and you can easily see why Mansell fainted when trying to push his car over the line after transmission problems. It'd be a nightmare if your drinks bottle failed - like Alonso at the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix, where he was so dehydrated that he collapsed in the press room after the race.

As for where in the calendar the new US Grand Prix might go, there is talk of the event being paired up with the Brazilian Grand Prix. In terms of logistics, it would make a lot of sense, as FOM already stops off at Dallas to refuel en route to Interlagos, and that would probably mean that the race is in early November, when conditions in the region should be relatively mild.

[Captain Hammer]

I doubt they'll get anywhere after the USF1 fiasco/farce.

What makes you think that? No-one involved with the USF1 project is involved in the USGP.

[Rocks with Salt]

You're from arizona, right? Think the worst heat from there, with 80% humidity.
That's texas.

Believe me, I've experienced Texas at both extremes: when it's below freezing on a clear January morning to never being able to dry out after a shower in July. Give me 80% humidity over freezing temperatures any day.

As for where in the calendar the new US Grand Prix might go, there is talk of the event being paired up with the Brazilian Grand Prix. In terms of logistics, it would make a lot of sense, as FOM already stops off at Dallas to refuel en route to Interlagos, and that would probably mean that the race is in early November, when conditions in the region should be relatively mild.

My question is why they wouldn't pair it with Montreal, since it would make sense in terms of scheduling. Or, for that matter, change up the schedule so that Interlagos, Montreal, and Austin and together for the same reason. Putting Montreal in late October/early November would be as unpredictable as it gets.

[Myrvold]

Believe me, I've experienced Texas at both extremes: when it's below freezing on a clear January morning to never being able to dry out after a shower in July. Give me 80% humidity over freezing temperatures any day.

Heh, switch places? I hate the cold wheater... And it's been colder than 20 degrees over the half of the days in Decembre this year... -.-

[mario]

As for where in the calendar the new US Grand Prix might go, there is talk of the event being paired up with the Brazilian Grand Prix. In terms of logistics, it would make a lot of sense, as FOM already stops off at Dallas to refuel en route to Interlagos, and that would probably mean that the race is in early November, when conditions in the region should be relatively mild.

My question is why they wouldn't pair it with Montreal, since it would make sense in terms of scheduling. Or, for that matter, change up the schedule so that Interlagos, Montreal, and Austin and together for the same reason. Putting Montreal in late October/early November would be as unpredictable as it gets.

Well, the prediction of a November date is based on the fact that Interlagos should be the closing venue in 2012, as will be the case in 2011, and the fact that, based on the previous transport schedule, it would be far more convenient to hold the race before the Brazilian GP. At the very least, it is unlikely that the Brazilian GP organisers would want to move from their current slot, as most recent championships have been decided in Brazil (2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, after the Brazilian GP moved from being at or near the beginning of the season to the tail end), significantly increasing interest in the event.

It is not entirely impossible that the US Grand Prix could back onto the Canadian GP; Patrick Head did say that the cost of going to Canada for a single race in North America meant that the race revenues barely covered the teams expenses. But, he did say that if there were two races in North America close together (i.e. the US GP, even though it was unconfirmed at the time), it would be better in terms of money, time and practicality.

My reservation about that, though, would be the fact that traditionally the Canadian GP is held around mid June - which I assume would mean that the temperature would be getting fairly high, right? If it was before the Canadian GP, that might push the race into late May, but that is traditionally when the Monaco GP is held, so there might be a few problems there. And transport might still be an issue - with the races in the European season typically close together, the teams are a bit stretched for resources and might not be keen on an extra long haul event at that time of year.

[nome66]

Indianapolis is the best place for a return. Especially now, as the much needed chicane is in place, so none of the teams will have tire problems with the banking.
I keep hearing from the people building the track in news reports from texas and such, that the track will be a unique venue and style.
In what way? The track has no originality what so ever. Just bits and sections of stolen ideas from tracks that are actually good. right away i saw Kyalami, Hockenheim, and Silverstone.
That was mostly my opinion, shaped by facts. lol

PS:: Does anyone else think that the track shape looks a bit like a field knife? Very Texas, i must say. lol

[thehemogoblin]

Could the schedule just go Canada, United States, week-long break, Brazil to end the season?

[Captain Hammer]

PS:: Does anyone else think that the track shape looks a bit like a field knife? Very Texas, i must say. lol

It's Marge Simpson praying.

What has been seen cannot be unseen.

[nome66]

Wow i saw that.

[JohnMLTX]

Believe me, I've experienced Texas at both extremes: when it's below freezing on a clear January morning to never being able to dry out after a shower in July. Give me 80% humidity over freezing temperatures any day.
My question is why they wouldn't pair it with Montreal, since it would make sense in terms of scheduling. Or, for that matter, change up the schedule so that Interlagos, Montreal, and Austin and together for the same reason. Putting Montreal in late October/early November would be as unpredictable as it gets.[/quote]

Oh Christ, Texas is the only place where you can go from shoveling ice out of your driveway to being tested for heat exhaustion in the space of 3 months. I watched the Bahrain grand prix this year while there was 3 inches of snow in my yard. He'll, even in november, in the right conditions, the track could ice over. And then Montreal around that time would just compound it all.

Why not have them open the season?

[Rocks with Salt]

He'll, even in november, in the right conditions, the track could ice over. And then Montreal around that time would just compound it all.

Why not have them open the season?

And get the same results? Besides, I like the prospect of a race run in winter conditions; cold weather must surely have some effect on engines and tires and whatnot, right? Besides, if Montreal is such a punishing track to begin with, why not make it more of a challenge by racing after a snowfall?

"And Petrov has careened out of Turn 13 and slid into the snowbank of champions in a repeat of Buemi's crash in Lap 7!"
"The safety car has been called out, and snowplows are being dispatched to the scene!"
"The officials are bringing in a Saint Bernard to locate Petrov, who is currently lost in the snow!"

[JohnMLTX]

And get the same results? Besides, I like the prospect of a race run in winter conditions; cold weather must surely have some effect on engines and tires and whatnot, right? Besides, if Montreal is such a punishing track to begin with, why not make it more of a challenge by racing after a snowfall?

"And Petrov has careened out of Turn 13 and slid into the snowbank of champions in a repeat of Buemi's crash in Lap 7!"
"The safety car has been called out, and snowplows are being dispatched to the scene!"
"The officials are bringing in a Saint Bernard to locate Petrov, who is currently lost in the snow!"

You make an excellent, entertaining point. +3000
I'm all for it now, especially after that petrov line!!! (i can hear murray walker saying it!)

[TomWazzleshaw]

And get the same results? Besides, I like the prospect of a race run in winter conditions; cold weather must surely have some effect on engines and tires and whatnot, right? Besides, if Montreal is such a punishing track to begin with, why not make it more of a challenge by racing after a snowfall?

"And Petrov has careened out of Turn 13 and slid into the snowbank of champions in a repeat of Buemi's crash in Lap 7!"
"The safety car has been called out, and snowplows are being dispatched to the scene!"
"The officials are bringing in a Saint Bernard to locate Petrov, who is currently lost in the snow!"

That is already a contender for 2011's post of the year

[tommykl]

And get the same results? Besides, I like the prospect of a race run in winter conditions; cold weather must surely have some effect on engines and tires and whatnot, right? Besides, if Montreal is such a punishing track to begin with, why not make it more of a challenge by racing after a snowfall?

"And Petrov has careened out of Turn 13 and slid into the snowbank of champions in a repeat of Buemi's crash in Lap 7!"
"The safety car has been called out, and snowplows are being dispatched to the scene!"
"The officials are bringing in a Saint Bernard to locate Petrov, who is currently lost in the snow!"

Had this been posted yesterday, I would have voted it post of the year.