F1 in the U.S.

I'm already getting excited, and have warned the relatives in the area that they are going to be getting house guests, whether they want us or not!

As an aside, there's no denying that the big business that F1 now is makes it hugely interesting. However, I also miss the days when it wasn't so blown up. Take for example, the heyday of IMSA. There was a great mix of factory teams and drivers, with a lot of 'gentleman racers'. Guys who did it for the love of the sport, not because they were trying to make a name of fortune. Heck, they spent their own fortunes to do it!

Erich
 
Well if anyone is planning on coming out to the heat next June for the race and need info/recommendations, let me know!
 
I've already informed the relatives in the area that they will have house guests, whether they want us or not!

Erich
 
While piggybacking on the Montreal date makes economic sense, I can't help but think of Nigel Mansell collapsing as he pushed his disabled car in the Dallas heat.

If I can swing the time off, I'll be in touch, Roger.
 
True about the heat, but the drivers are in much better shape nowadays. Plus, they already have to deal with the heat of the deserts and Malaysia. I think we'll be much worse off than the drivers!

Erich
 
I'm sure they will figure something out other than vendors selling $10 bottled water along the track to the spectators. ; Perhaps misters?
 
Re: F1 in the U.S. aka make sure your plans are refundable

Some people are squawking that it's going to be too hot to race in Texas in June.

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/50732.html

Well, yes, it is hot, which is also why it appears that the desert races are scheduled early and late in the year. ; My guess is they will only move the first race back IF IF IF the track can't be completed on time, which does not seem likely since they aren't experiencing any weather delays. ; We're still in a really bad drought and the 100 degree temps are here.

Plus the City Council is squawking about paying $25mil upfront[nb]The specific fund would be refunded by the increased sales taxes collected from the event, so in theory, it will be self-sustaining[/nb] each year to the race group.
 
After much hand-wringing, vocal opposition from a small minority of extremists, and claims that F1 will always fail in the U.S., the City Council approved the plan for the state to fund the track owners $25mil a year for 10 years to pay for the F1 fee.

And today it was announced that on top of the MotoGP beginning in 2013, Australian V8 is coming to town as well for at least 5 years.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/ ... ula_austin
 
Those Aussie cars should be fun to watch. I've caught a few races on TV, and there's a lot of close racing, as well as some beatin n bangin. I still think the biggest problem the F1 race is going to have to getting non locals to come and keep returning, is going to be the heat and humidity at that time of year. Hope they have lots of shady places to get out of the sun.

Erich
 
They keep hinting that either later this year or after the first year's race they may reschedule it to the fall. ; I'm betting on the latter.
 
That would mean a fall Montreal race, and I can't see that being agreed to. I also doubt Bernie would agree to the costs of sending everyone over here twice in the same year, which means those 2 races are always going to be one after the other. It'll be interesting to see what they come up with.

Erich
 
It was just the opposite for Indy. ; The race started out in September, mainly to give them time to convert the track from oval to road course configuration. ; After several cold, rainy events, they got smart and moved it to June to piggyback on the Montreal race. ; The weather, though warm, was much nicer.
 
"ddindy" said:
mainly to give them time to convert the track from oval to road course configuration. ;
Click to expand...

Well at least they don't have to worry about that anymore. ; It should only take a day or two to remove the mandatory bicycle lane from the track. [nb]It's a joke, ALTHOUGH the racetrack is going to have showers for those who bicycle to the race.[/nb]
 
If the word gets out about the showers, the cyclists will have to fight the other fans for a spot. ; :D

I heard a rumor that Grand-Am is supposed to be a support race for the Brickyard 400 next year. ; So I guess they've got the road course / oval conversion down to an hour now. ; I'll have to see it to believe it.
 
November would definitely be an improvement. ; The next question is, would I get a better price on a hotel room in San Antonio?
 
Possibly. ; There are hotels even in between, like San Marcos and New Braunfels. ; In terms of distance, the hotels in South Austin and Buda are closest, then Kyle, San Marcos, New Braunfels then San Antonio. ; Bastrop may have some deals as well.
 
Thanks for that info, Roger. ; A November date definitely works better for me. ; I'm committed to work as a marshall at the PGA Tour BMW Championship in September 2012, and I won't know until closer to then if I'll have enough spare vacation time to head to Austin. ; I'm hoping that if I do end up making a relatively late decision to go, there will still be rooms available somewhere within an hour or two of COTA.
 
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