4008 replies to this topic

[FerrariFanInTexas]

Architectural flourish it is, then.

[AustinF1]

Architectural flourish it is, then.

Yep. I reckon.

& not too easy on the eye at that.

[AustinF1]

Here are some new aerial photos:

[rossbrawn]

Good work OP!

[AustinF1]

See the white rectangular area on the hillside above turn 3? It began to take shape a week or two ago and I'm wondering what it is. Looks like it could potentially be a secondary RV area, but COTA is saying that's ruled out for this year.

Edited by AustinF1, 10 August 2012 - 21:18.

[AustinF1]

Also, I took some pics yesterday, including some decent T10-11 panoramas:

[AustinF1]

Permanent GS going up at T15?

[Madera]

Permanent GS going up at T15?

Really starting to become something special. The anticipation is bottled up-waiting to explode!
BTW, Is that dirt road around the outside the rally section of the course? Looks like you would want to sling your Subaru around there for a bit.

[BullHead]

A 23-story tower for hanging speaker stacks?

Are Motorhead playing?

Progress looks good. Great pics. Still 100 days looks a bit fine cutting, I'm guessing a lot of ramping up of efforts will be happening from here on in.

[Jovanotti]

Well I can nothing but look forward to the race on this track, decent elevation changes and almost thoroughly high speed (apart from T 12 - 19 where Tilke seems to have fallen back in his old standard track patterns...).

[AustinF1]

New Statesman photos from yesterday:





















More here: http://galleries.sta...-081012/#612424

[AustinF1]

Statesman: Final layers of asphalt at Circuit of the Americas coming soon

http://www.statesman...he-2433548.html

[AustinF1]

...and now what you've all been waiting for.

Grid Girls...





...and Grid Girls + Alexander Rossi:

[Brandz07]

Really looking forward to this race now. It looks like you guys are too!

[AustinF1]

I removed one of the COTA Girl photos from the FB page at the request of TheAustinGrandPrix.com (actually they said to remove it "immediately"). Seems it's ok for them to use our photos, but apparently it doesn't work both ways. LOL.

[RoryF1]

Has anyone purchased airfare yet? I need to figure out a time to leave Austin. I'm thinking any flight out after 7 should be OK.

[AustinF1]

We just posted 67 new photos shot on a tour yesterday morning by our buddy Art Nunes:

https://www.facebook...7...e=1

Samples:

[Ross Stonefeld]

I hate turn 1. That hill takes away the braking zone.

[ViMaMo]

Hmm, you already have said that a couple of times.

---------------------------

The circuit is turning out to be nice. Can't wait for race day.

[jrg19]

Im just glad they have created undulation, cant wait for this race now.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Hmm, you already have said that a couple of times.

---------------------------

The circuit is turning out to be nice. Can't wait for race day.

And it's still going to suck

[Konsta]

Im just glad they have created undulation, cant wait for this race now.

That was probably one of the first things I noticed. The hills look surprizingly steep and the T10(?) with the kink looks amazing.

[GreenMachine]

That was probably one of the first things I noticed. The hills look surprizingly steep and the T10(?) with the kink looks amazing.

Telephoto foreshortening?

[Konsta]

Telephoto foreshortening?

Could be, I don´t know. Looks more undulating than an "average" track nevertheless.

[AustinF1]

Im just glad they have created undulation

The undulation is natural. They did a great job of following the terrain and using what it gave them rather than leveling everything out.

The hills look surprizingly steep

Telephoto foreshortening?

Of course there will always be some element of distortion in the photos, but my experience is that it's very difficult to accurately capture elevation in photos. Most times the elevation in photos looks less remarkable than when viewed in person.

Art did a great job and I was impressed with the way he spotted angles and shots that revealed elevations & other features that so many others, including F1 & other racing photogs, have missed.

the T10(?) with the kink looks amazing

T10 will be amazing and I believe it's the masterpiece of the track. The obvious, dramatic turn here is turn 1, but the one that will test drivers and engineers the most will be 10, imho.

Looks more undulating than an "average" track nevertheless.

It is. People who see it in person will be blown away by the way it looks as they approach the facility.

[senna da silva]

Ok now its paved there must be a video of someone driving the whole circuit, anyone?

[bonjon1979a]

Ok now its paved there must be a video of someone driving the whole circuit, anyone?

Track looks awesome. Love the undulations, so many new tracks are flat and dull. This looks to have a lot of high speed, elevation changes. I just hope they manage to finish it on time.

[AustinF1]

Ok now its paved there must be a video of someone driving the whole circuit, anyone?

Here you go. Warning: It's excruciatingly slow:

Edited by AustinF1, 13 August 2012 - 20:27.

[Konsta]

Here you go. Warning: It's excruciatingly slow:

Thanks!!
Expectations are sky-high - that looks to be an entertaining track.

[AustinF1]

Thanks!!
Expectations are sky-high - that looks to be an entertaining track.

ETA: It's funny. I didn't know it, but as I was posting that above, Vance was working on an accelerated version of that video. Here it is:

https://www.facebook...508312402516643

[senna da silva]

Here you go. Warning: It's excruciatingly slow:

Thanks.

[maverick69]

What a track!

[Collective]

Here you go. Warning: It's excruciatingly slow:

Was that a Marussia?

[GreenMachine]

Cool!

[nissan_gtp]

ETA: It's funny. I didn't know it, but as I was posting that above, Vance was working on an accelerated version of that video. Here it is:

https://www.facebook...508312402516643

nice

[Spa One]

Im just glad they have created undulation, cant wait for this race now.

+1 Yep. Looks like a real race track, not one of these modern excuses.

[ViMaMo]

And it's still going to suck

You can switch off.

-------------------

Im glad that it isnt at Indianapolis. Hope F1 never returns to Indy. This circuit seems a whole lot better.

Edited by ViMaMo, 14 August 2012 - 03:02.

[MP422]

Track looks sick !, anyway alot of elevation and they copied some of f1's best corners. It's going to bring a tear to my eye. Hehe.

[Starish]

another f1 speed version I found on twitter

[MadYarpen]

final pavement started. I have to say, I can't wait.
http://www.gpupdate....paving-process/

[puxanando]

VIDEO! from the air!

[loki]

Defendant response and counterclaim in the Ryan v. Kronenburg land lawsuit. According to the defendant, Ryan did indeed know that the land was for hte circuit, was given an opportunity to buy it and didn't. In 2011 they went to settle but Ryan never followed through, according to the filing.

http://www.statesman..._formula_austin

Hopefully after the GP we'll be known for the circuit rather than Levis, Coca-Cola, lawsuits and guns....

[loki]

A separate post for race related topics...

County to rent parking spaces downtown, 10 bucks a space, up to US$34k in revenue.

http://www.statesman..._formula_austin

Seems like a reasonable price and I'm sure the county could use the money.

Permitting for temporary bus and limo operators in Austin being considered. Looks like they don't have enough licensed transport in the area. Which means more money for the city and county and the contractors from other Texas cities. I had always ASSumed they would do that anyway. It's not like Vegas, Orlando or Chicago where they are used to conventions of 100k plus and need that scale of transportation.

http://www.statesman..._formula_austin

Last but not least, a logo. (Ross, this one IS for the USGP in Austin) Though I think the NJ logo is a bit cooler. Maybe Bobby and Red can send a posse and get it from them... (that was a joke, gang...)

http://www.statesman..._formula_austin

Opps, forgot some important ones for those going to the race... Lodging. Looks like some rooms still available in Austin. Don't know if lubrication is included... Starts at US$349 a night, four night minimum.

http://www.statesman...on-2432249.html

Here are some camping options, IIRC it was posted a few pages back. Hope the circuit is able to include camping next year. I see them not being able to get everyone in and out of the campground this year but not having on track camping is a gigantic bummer for everyone. To me camping is staying a 3 star hotel but for the USGP I'd rent and RV or pitch a tent.

http://www.statesman...nd-2428175.html

Edited by loki, 14 August 2012 - 23:51.

[puxanando]

VIDEO

¡La construcción del Circuito de las Américas en un minuto!

[pup]

Defendant response and counterclaim in the Ryan v. Kronenburg land lawsuit. According to the defendant, Ryan did indeed know that the land was for hte circuit, was given an opportunity to buy it and didn't. In 2011 they went to settle but Ryan never followed through, according to the filing.

http://www.statesman..._formula_austin

Hopefully after the GP we'll be known for the circuit rather than Levis, Coca-Cola, lawsuits and guns....

This starts to make sense. It's pretty common for developers who are buying up land to do it through middle men so that people don't know that someone is trying to consolidate large tracts. The middle man agrees to buy it in his name, then sell it to the developer at a slight profit. There's some risk involved, since the developer could always quit the project or go under, leaving the middle man holding a chunk of land he never wanted. Otherwise, it's a quick way to make a buck or two.

The counterclaim makes it seem like Ryan got cold feet and backed out of the deal. My take is that these two guys had a falling out, and Ryan is suing Kronenburg however he can.

Actually, my real take is this - if you're doing a land deal in Austin, don't.

[Cool Beans]

Here you go. Warning: It's excruciatingly slow:

Track looks brilliant. Can't wait!

[FerrariFanInTexas]

All grandstand tickets (non psl variety) are now sold. Hope everyone got theirs.

[pup]

Awesome!

[loki]

I just got an email with what looks like more PSL seats released without at PSL. They are calling them "VIP Packages" with some extras, hospitality, open bar, etc. Priced between US$1749 to US$3999 with accommodation packages available. There are also accommodation/ticket packages released in the grandstands. The F1 Paddock Club is a cool US$4200 not including accommodations.

http://cotaexperienc...ticket-packages

Unless more GA and regular grandstand seats are released those are sold out. They're also promoting rooms available in Austin and San Antonio.

[pup]

I think those seats are part of the Quint Events packages - similar to getting tickets through gptours or some other broker. That is, they buy the psl (perhaps with a volume discount) and then offer the individual tickets up for sale as part of a package and at a fairly steep markup.

For example, their club level seats are $3,900 without accommodation, compared to the PSL price of $1,250 plus the one time $5,500. So, roughly a 2-year payback on the psl investment even if they didn't get a discounted price. Not bad if they can sell the seats. (Plus I bet they give you the hard sell on upgrades, catering services, special events, etc. once you sign up.)

I'd be curious to know how many of the psl's went to package groups like those.