Attention Texan NOOLers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8704931.stm

Fuckin Hell

I'm THERE, although, odd as it might sound, I'd rather have a blast round the streets in the best traditions of Detroit or Long Beach, but I'm just chuffed to fuck that you's are back with us (we'll try not to let Max and Michelin cunt it up this time).

PS: Isn't Austin like REALLY fucking hot in the mid afternoon sun? I'm thinking even a prepared circuit will turn into cheesecake base under that heat with F1 cars sucking and clawing at it (remember the trenches at Detroit, or even more recently up in Montreal (where it's more the hot summer/arctic winter thing that fucks the track surface).

You'll LOVE this press release then...........

"We are extremely honoured and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights Holder," said Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of Full Throttle Productions, LP. "We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States. All parties involved have a great amount of trust and confidence in each other and are committed to establishing the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas as a prestigious global event.

"This is a case of the right timing in the right place," he added. "As many Americans know, Austin has earned a reputation as one of the 'it' cities in the United States. Austin features that rare combination of ideal geographic location and beauty. Its fine dining, world-renowned hospitality and excellent transportation infrastructure make Austin ideally suited to host and manage an event of this magnitude. Few cities if any in America could rival the connectivity of all the key elements needed for hosting a Formula 1 event as well as Austin. Now, many people around the world will have the opportunity to experience a world-class event, facility and city.

"It has been a shared vision and monumental task to reach this agreement. We realize that over the last 30 years there have been one or two missing pieces from the previous editions of the United States Grand Prix. We have a tremendous opportunity at hand to do it right - to feature Austin as the backdrop and produce the United States Grand Prix as one of the great sporting events in the world."

"For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event," said Bernie Ecclestone. "It was thirty years ago that the United States Grand Prix was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success. Since then, Formula One has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval. Lewis Hamilton won the last Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US."

"We are pleased Texas has the opportunity to be involved with Formula 1 and that an event of this magnitude is coming to Austin," said Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. "It has been a pleasure working with Full Throttle Productions, LP and Mr. Hellmund on this project. Their tradition of producing successful major events coupled with a thirty year relationship with Mr. Ecclestone has us looking forward to this worldwide event and the benefits it will bring, including local job creation, increased tourism and a significant economic impact added to our state economy. The visibility and prestige of this event will spotlight our state on an international stage."

Doctor? wrote: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8704931.stm

Fuckin Hell

I'm THERE, although, odd as it might sound, I'd rather have a blast round the streets in the best traditions of Detroit or Long Beach, but I'm just chuffed to fuck that you's are back with us (we'll try not to let Max and Michelin cunt it up this time).

PS: Isn't Austin like REALLY fucking hot in the mid afternoon sun? I'm thinking even a prepared circuit will turn into cheesecake base under that heat with F1 cars sucking and clawing at it (remember the trenches at Detroit, or even more recently up in Montreal (where it's more the hot summer/arctic winter thing that fucks the track surface).

Yes, it will be HOT and HUMID. I went to the Dallas event in 1984 when I was a kid. The asphalt did indeed turn to mush. It was a complete disaster. I remember vividly getting Road & Track in the mail the next month. The picture leading into the coverage of the race showed a hand held fan (which were distributed by the thousands on race day) with a hand written inscription that read "Dallas Sucks". You usually only hear that from disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles fans. But, on that day, it was true.

On top of the beastly weather, the racing CV of the promoter does not inspire confidence. Maybe Bernie knows something we don't.

Hmmmmmm good call on the promoter Tex.

Seems the more savvy F1 media detect the faint whiff of snake oil.........

from pitpass.com........

Is Austin the deal real? 01/06/2010 Call us jaded but after the Doninton fiasco where a contract for the British Grand Prix was handed to someone who didn't have the financing in place and didn't have a suitable circuit, Pitpass was more than a little bit sceptical about the recent announcement that a US Grand Prix will take place in 2012 in Austin, the capital city of Texas. It seems that we aren't the only ones.

Pitpass' business editor Chris Sylt recently spoke to a highly respected senior motorsport source who is based in the US and knows more than a thing or two about F1. What he said was worrying to say the least. His conversation with Sylt came a few days after he sent an email to our business editor saying that "I have placed a couple of phone calls to the US and I am not sure that this is project is real." The outlook hasn't become any clearer since then.

Referring to Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of the US GP race promoter Full Throttle Productions, the source told Sylt that "his father was involved in motor racing in quite a large way... now the son appears and the general view here is that there are many more questions than answers. This guy has never promoted a race, he doesn't have a race-track, he doesn't have property for a race-track. He does have a letter from the governor pledging $25m of support for the race... beyond that he has nothing quite frankly. The feeling is that this is... like Donington."

We all know that Silverstone ended up the beneficiary from the Donington debacle so who could be the eventual winner in the US? A clue could come from Fred Nation, spokesman for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway who said a few days ago "that F1 expressed any interest Austin was a surprise, especially to us... Austin is not particularly known as an auto racing market." This is no exaggeration. The Statesman, Austin's major daily newspaper wrote an extremely basic article entitled, 'What is Formula One?' the day after the deal was announced.

Perhaps crucially, Nation said that "Indianapolis is the right place for F1 in the United Sates and, if and when they express an interest here again, which could happen, we're ready to talk if we can find a business arrangement that makes sense for both parties."

What Sylt can say pretty much for sure is that Austin has had its eye on F1 for a long time so it is no flash in the pan.

In addition to his post as business editor of Pitpass, editor of The Paddock magazine and roles covering the business of F1 for numerous papers and commenting on it for TV stations including CNN, CNBC and ITN, Sylt also authors F1's industry monitor Formula Money. When promoters come up with the idea of hosting an F1 GP they tend to ask the state for money to cover the sport's huge fees which average £21.5m per race. The first thing that the state does is to research how much it will cost them and they soon arrive at Formula Money since it is the only all-in-one source of business data for F1.

Once the state has an idea of how much it will cost they return to the promoter with an answer and then contact is made with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. Accordingly, the list of Formula Money buyers gives Sylt visibility which can be ahead of even Ecclestone himself in terms of countries interested in hosting F1.

So it is no coincidence that the state of Texas bought a copy of last year's edition in March 2009 and then bought the 2010 edition in March this year. Aryn White, Full Throttle's co-founder, bought it in May 2009 and February 2010, while the Monticello Motor Club, which was also in the running to host the US GP, also bought a copy in April this year.

Interestingly, Sylt says that one of the latest purchasers of Formula Money is a real estate company in Nevada which is of course home to Las Vegas. The race to host the US GP may well still be on.

VEGAS? Caesar's palace car park here we come again.