Austin F1 in 2012 - update a/o 21 Feb 12

[austinN4]

F1 boss Ecclestone says investors have until next week to sign contract

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/f1-boss-ecclestone-says-investors-have-until-next-1977383.html

[austinN4]

This event is looking very doubtful as of today:

http://www.statesman.com/sports/formula1/circuit-of-americas-official-says-revised-f1-contract-1993437.html

[TehLlama]

I'm really only upset because this puts a 2013 date in doubt as well...

[austinN4]

"F1 boss confirms deal with Austin organizers has been reached."

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2011/12/07/austin_race_left_on_2012_calendar.html

[WEC]

This is fantastic news.

I was really worried that the deal would fall through, especially when there were reports that they had begun packing up and wheeling off a lot of the heavy equipment.

Definitely on my calendar for 2012. You know, before the EOTWAWKI. :happy:

[Mark71]

Glad to hear that things worked out. Now back to work with getting the track built in time for November!

[ForTehNguyen]

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/07/sport/motorsport/motorsport-f1-u-s-2012/


(CNN) -- Organizers of the the U.S. Grand Prix said Wednesday that it will take its place in the 2012 Formula One calendar despite fears that the new circuit in Texas being built for the race will not be finished in time.

Development of the purpose-built site in Austin was halted last month following a dispute between organizers and Formula One Management (FOM) over payment for the event, but the track's partners confirmed the fee had now been paid to F1's commercial rights holders.

"We want to thank the fans supporting us, the local officials and businesses that have encouraged us, the State of Texas, Circuit of The Americas' staff and Bernie (Ecclestone) himself," founding partner Red McCoombs said in a statement.

Circuit president Steve Sexton added: "We have a substantial number of fans who have expressed interest in buying tickets and hospitality, so today is a win for all of them as much as it is for Circuit of the Americas."

The 10-year deal to stage a round of the F1 world championship at the circuit will see the elite division of motorsport return to the U.S. for the first time since 2007.

It is scheduled to take place from November 16-18.

The U.S. is set to host two grands prix by 2013, after October's announcement that a race will also be held on a street circuit in New Jersey.

The news came on the same day the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the body which governs global motorsport, confirmed the 20-race 2012 F1 calendar, which is set to be the longest in the sport's history.

The Bahrain Grand Prix is set to take place on April 22, having been called off this year due to civil unrest in the gulf kingdom.

Australia will host the season's opening grand prix in Melbourne on March 18, with Brazil staging 2012's final race at Interlagos on November 25, the week after the new race in Texas.

[austinN4]

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/racing/entries/2012/01/20/times_set_for_austins_inaugura.html

Times set for Austin’s inaugural F1 race
By Dave Doolittle | Friday, January 20, 2012, 08:45 AM

The inaugural Formula One race planned for Circuit of the Americas on Nov. 18 is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Central time, according to the official Formula One website.

Practices on Friday, Nov. 16, will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 to 3:30 p.m., the website said. Saturday’s practice will be from 10 to 11 a.m., and qualifying will be at 1 p.m.

The length of the race has not been determined, though it will probably be about 56 laps.

Circuit officials have yet to release details about tickets. Support races for the F1 weekend, if any, also have not been announced.

Construction on the 3.4-mile circuit has ramped up significantly in recent weeks. The pit and paddock building are clearly visible on the site, and work on the main grandstand has started. Circuit officials told British-based Autosport.com this week that they expect to have the track surface complete by mid-August.

Formula One races are planned for the circuit southeast of Austin for 10 years. MotoGP and Australian V8 Supercars are also planned starting in 2013.

[austinN4]

Grand Prix offering personal seat licenses
ByJohn Maher, AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 1:18 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012
Published: 10:56 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012

The Circuit of the Americas will have personal seat licenses ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for premium seating, including the 9,000-seat grandstand, for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix in November.

Tickets for the F1 race will be available in early summer, according to track officials, but fans can go to the Circuit of the Americas website (www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com) now to join the waiting list for seat licenses, which will go on sale March 1.

See full article: http://www.statesman.com/sports/formula1/grand-prix-offering-personal-seat-licenses-2117002.html?printArticle=y

[austinN4]

Rates for many hotels skyrocket on F1 weekend
By Gary Dinges AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Updated: 12:46 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012
Published: 10:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, 2012

"The downtown-area Super 8 still has rooms available for Austin's Formula One race weekend in November - if you're willing to shell out more than $500 a night."

Full story: http://www.statesman.com/sports/formula1/rates-for-many-hotels-skyrocket-on-f1-weekend-2189084.html?printArticle=y

[WEC]

From all indications, things are going full swing at COTA and the Austin GP is on schedule.

I went ahead and sprang for two PSL's at the turn 15 grandstands. I opted for the $1000 option, as close to the turn as possible, and as far up in the "cheap seats" as possible.

Found it interesting that, unlike most other sporting events, the higher the seats are for the event, the more expensive.

Sources are stating that 3-day passes for general admission will run in the $200-250 range.