Austin F1 race confirmed for 2012 calendar

[6s219]

It appears the Austin F1 is back!


F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, who was on his way to the World Motor Sports Council meeting in New Delhi, had signed the contract and later emailed the American-Statesman: "Yes there will be a race there. We hope it will be for 10 years." The Austin Statesman



http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/12/07/austin-f1-race-confirmed-for-2012-calendar/

 

[twobjshelbys]

Wow, good news! Looks like they need to pick up the pace a little bit. Will they be running some dry runs to shake the track down? Maybe we FGT owners could get it for a few days

 

[texas mongrel]

Bernie got his 25 mil, so they got their race. Apparently the track will be very limited in renting out; Someone from the Houston Cobra Club enquired about using it for a track day and was told that it would only be used for "sanctioned events" whatever that means! Still, great news that its back on - looking foward to next November!

 

[Silverbullitt]

An email I just received:

Thanks for hanging in there with us! Working for, and being fans of, a start-up organization that is building a major new facility is not always easy. Because of the complexity of the project, things don't always happen as quickly as we would all prefer.

In the end, the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in Austin is a reality because everyone involved wanted to get it done for the benefit of Formula 1™ in the United States. Mr. Ecclestone, the F1 teams and their sponsors, our investors and the State of Texas – this event benefits all of us.

We are through the first series of challenges and now we get to the exciting part – finishing the construction of the Circuit of The Americas™, selling tickets to the 2012 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix and creating plans for an incredible fan experience.

Stay tuned! We will be making a lot of announcements over the next several weeks regarding our partnerships, ticket sales, event information and much more. We promise to keep you, our most committed fans, well informed as we move forward.

The 2012 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix is going to be a great event! We look forward to seeing you in Austin November 16-18, 2012.

Sincerely,
Geoff Moore
Chief Marketing and Sales Officer
Circuit of The Americas

 

[RALPHIE]

...Apparently the track will be very limited in renting out; Someone from the Houston Cobra Club enquired about using it for a track day and was told that it would only be used for "sanctioned events" whatever that means!....

That's a nice way to enter bankruptcy quickly. Years ago, Riverside International Raceway would rent to any group or organization - Porsche Club, Hollywood studios, manufacturers and racing teams, etc. With all that, and Southern California weather 12 months of the year, they still had a hard time staying in the black. Maybe they'll learn, maybe not....

Riverside had the Los Angeles Times, the US Formula One Grand Prix, and many teams testing there. It was a favorite of both the European and US raceres and teams.. Didn't make it....

I wouldn't trust Bernie ever....

Just my humble opinion.

 

[dbk]

That's a nice way to enter bankruptcy quickly. Years ago, Riverside International Raceway would rent to any group or organization - Porsche Club, Hollywood studios, manufacturers and racing teams, etc. With all that, and Southern California weather 12 months of the year, they still had a hard time staying in the black. Maybe they'll learn, maybe not....

That's what I'm saying. How the hell can that business model work? Roger Miller was telling me a couple years ago how they heard the number for a particular sanctioned race was $100k, and he thought "great, we'll get a $100k fee for running this race here," until he was told "no, you guys pay us the $100k." Those guys lose money on all the big time sanctioned events and the schools pay the bills. Not sure how the sanctioned events only model works unless you've got major corporate donors willing to eat millions in operating costs on top of an enormous amount of sunk costs in the facility.

 

[Specracer]

As is the case in SOOO many racing endevors, "want to make a small fortune in racing?? Well then start out with a BIG one"....

 

[dbk]

Anybody else who paid for the waitlist take that survey today?

I'm not a fan of the PSL system. How many guys from out of state will pay $3k to own the right to the seat, then pay $800 for a seat to a V8 Supercar race or AMA Superbike race they may or may not be able to make it to?

Motorsports ain't football.

 

[ChipBeck]

Trying to make money owning a race track is as insane as owning an airline. The mystery to me is "Who are the investors?". How do they think they are going to get a return?

Chip

 

[daytrayd]

Man this sucks, I just took the survey and I am not interested in a PSL and I live in Austin. I dont want to pay $800 for a race, have to go to two races, and then have to pay $2-7K for the PSL. Are these seats really that expensive? I was expecting to pay about $250 per seat for a race and be uppper deck. Im very dissapointed, just too expensive for me. I get Longhorn football season tix for $750 per seat, bball is $160 per seat, no way I'm spending $800 per race plus the PSL, never gonna happen.

 

[dbk]

Make no mistake, you will be able to buy much cheaper tickets. To me, this is just an ill fated attempt to see how much they can leverage corporate ticket buyers and F1 starved US audiences. I don't think it's a good idea to make sure you have sold seats for the V8 Supercars race by screwing around with F1 people that want to sit in the grandstands and Turn 1. Despite not having the best configuration, it's not like people were beating down the door to get to the Indy Race. The last one they ran had a crowd, but it wasn't overwhelming.

Half the time I end up buying race tickets and wandering around the track anyways, so the seat ends up being of questionable value.

 

[Silverbullitt]

I would be happy with infield. Grab some RVs and have a party. The latest article is about hotel space, as no probably not much. If this actually happens I can hold 8-10 at my place. We are about 90 minutes from the track since I'm extreme NW and the track is extreme SE. I would also be more interested in the supercar race since I saw the F1 crapola race at indy. This is my least favorite sanctioning body. I probably would rather watch IROC camaros.

But if this is the chance for a party and prices are kindof reasonable I'm in.

 

[dbk]

Yeah, not much around there. Lost Pines will be full, everyone else will be making a drive.

Last F1 season was much better. It will be worth going to just to hear the current ferocious V8s before they switch to the lower rev Turbo 6's shortly.

 

[dbk]

Holy shit! I just talked to a ticket rep and he said that unless you buy the $5,000 PSL or up, you are NOT eligible to buy an on-site parking pass. Every single other person attending the race will have to park outside a barrier TWO MILES from the circuit and get bussed to the track. :lol That oughta be exciting.

 

[Cobrar]

Holy shit! I just talked to a ticket rep and he said that unless you buy the $5,000 PSL or up, you are NOT eligible to buy an on-site parking pass. Every single other person attending the race will have to park outside a barrier TWO MILES from the circuit and get bussed to the track. :lol That oughta be exciting.

Dave. You'll have much more fun right here in Detroit on Belle Isle - approx. 15 miles from your door. Great variety of racing product and vastly more competitive/$. We can probably get you closer than 2 miles from the track.

 

[Specracer]

Ticket rep is e-mailing me, but I could care less about a $5k ticket..... Seems like I might not be going to tx this fall.

 

[texas mongrel]

if anyone is going and needs a place to stay, we have a place about 45 minutes SW of the track. Sleeps around 10 - 12. We will be going, hopefully courtesy of McLaren.

There's a VIP deal being advertised lately that includes 2 nights at the same hotel we held the Rally at, shuttles to and from the track, one full day of practice, one full day at the race, and champagne/food etc. Minimum order is for 10 people, price is around $3000 a pop

 

[Fracman]

Non PSL tickets opened up today for those that paid the $100 deposit. Price ranges are F1 high, but at least well off the PSL all-in cost.

Any new news or ideas on hotel/accommodations? I have rooms reserved in Bastrop but it is in the opposite direction of fun.

A group of us will be in the turn 12 stands. Good availability still when I booked.

 

[Magic]

Got on this morning Jakarta time and went through the process and was in turn 12 stands row 28, but had to go to a meeting so didn't complete. Just now got back in and was only offered turn 3 stands row 13. Went ahead and got my tickets, but from this I assume they are going fast? Hope to see a large Forum group there. Will now need to work on hotel.