Buh Bye Austin F1 Grand Prix?

[Bubba1]

I dont recall seeing anyone bring it up, but it appears Austin might lose the US Grand Prix. Bernie is demanding a $25million extor...er..licensing fee (for Austin's honor of hosting his race) in advance of the race.
The $25million was supposed to come out of a Texas major events development fund and be paid July 31st, but State Comptroller, Susan Combs, evidently not an F1 fan, announced Texas will not pay Bernie until they see the event happen. My guess Bernie wants that cash to help pay for theAaron Spelling mansion he bought for his hot daughter.

I understand construction has stopped on the $250 million facility which resulted in the layoff of some 300 workers. It's possible NJ might end up hosting the only US GP.

Thoughts?

[flohtingPoint]

Texas sucks, nothing new here. If the event happens, good, and if not, the it's one less Tilke abomination on the planet. When I read about this a while back it was a little bit of a bummer, but with Canada on the schedule, it's no biggie, as that's the only race I'm really amped about that will take place on this continent.

[alms24sebring]

NJ was confirmed last I read maybe a month ago. Thats cool though they can bring another one to the eastcoast if they want to.

[flohtingPoint]

NJ will be a snoozefest unless it gets an atrocious amount of rain. F1 cars outgrew street circuits a couple decades ago.

[Bubba1]

NJ will be a snoozefest unless it gets an atrocious amount of rain. F1 cars outgrew street circuits a couple decades ago.

I dunno, we are talking northern NJ, so avoiding potholes might prove entertaining.... . "Yo Boinee, you godda problem wi' dat?"

I'd love to see F1 cars on VIR's full course.

[alms24sebring]

+1 for VA

Yeah its a street course but that means tight skinny lanes and difficult passes. I agree with Bubba though, an actual race course would be alot sexier, and in-state would be perfect

[Dattebayo]

+1 for VA

lol just barely VA...

[flohtingPoint]

NJ will be a snoozefest unless it gets an atrocious amount of rain. F1 cars outgrew street circuits a couple decades ago.

I dunno, we are talking northern NJ, so avoiding potholes might prove entertaining.... . "Yo Boinee, you godda problem wi' dat?"

I'd love to see F1 cars on VIR's full course.

There are a number of American road courses I'd love to see F1 on (Infineon being #1), the problem though is that none of the tracks have proper facilities to support GP2 race, let alone F1.

[Bubba1]

There are a number of American road courses I'd love to see F1 on (Infineon being #1), the problem though is that none of the tracks have proper facilities to support GP2 race, let alone F1.

Unfortunately, Infineon is located on the wrong side of the country for me. Seriously, I think Watkins Glen, would have been the logical US GP site due to its F1 history and it's size. But I can't see Bernie slumming at the ol' Seneca Lodge... .

Regarding proper facilities to support F1, evidently they can be built.They don;t currently exist in Weehauken NJ, yet Bernie is negotiating to have a race there. But as far as F1 outgrowing street circuits decades ago, I must disagree. Monaco is a street course and still remains among the most popular and coveted races in F1. Plus the fact that Bernie is looking even looking at a street course in Weehauken should indicate F1 has not outgrown them.

[flohtingPoint]

But as far as F1 outgrowing street circuits decades ago, I must disagree. Monaco is a street course and still remains among the most popular and coveted races in F1. Plus the fact that Bernie is looking even looking at a street course in Weehauken should indicate F1 has not outgrown them.

It's only popular because of the principality it's located in, the race itself is always less of a race, more of a procession of cars. The last time something exciting happened at Monaco it didnt even involve racing, it was when Schmacher parked his Ferrari at rascasse and all the fallout from it. I honestly cannot tell you the last time the race was entertaining.
Regarding Bernie, he only cares about dollar signs, he has no idea what makes for good racing. There isn't a single new track that they've built in recent times that is any good. All the "can't miss" races take place on the classic circuits like Spa, Monza, Nurburg, etc. The old nutcase wants a Rome street circuit too, which is equally as bad of an idea as Jersey.

[sivartk]

I dont recall seeing anyone bring it up, but it appears Austin might lose the US Grand Prix. Bernie is demanding a $25million extor...er..licensing fee (for Austin's honor of hosting his race) in advance of the race.
The $25million was supposed to come out of a Texas major events development fund and be paid July 31st, but State Comptroller, Susan Combs, evidently not an F1 fan, announced Texas will not pay Bernie until they see the event happen. My guess Bernie wants that cash to help pay for theAaron Spelling mansion he bought for his hot daughter.

I understand construction has stopped on the $250 million facility which resulted in the layoff of some 300 workers. It's possible NJ might end up hosting the only US GP.

Thoughts?

From what I was hearing here in Austin (I really don't care about F1 racing) is that the contract signed with the state said that the Austin race would be the first US race. Then they announced a NJ race which may occur before the Texas race. This in essence breached contract and the comptroller decided to withhold funds. Here is a link to the letter that F1 received:
http://images.bimedia.net/documents/CombslettertoF1.pdf

I'm just glad I live over 30 miles away from the track.

[Bubba1]

That's very interesting. But I'm guessing the NJ event did not get announced after July 31, when Ms. Combs decided to withhold those funds. If that's the case, it might be considered a contract breach on Austin's part and Bernie would be within his rights to pursue an alternate US location at an earlier date.

Having a world class racetrack 30 miles away, even without an F1 event, would be awesome IMHO. If they follow thru and complete it, I'm sure it'll be rented out to countless car clubs giving you opportunities to drive on it.

[sivartk]

Yeah, I would probably check it out one way or the other. I'm just glad that I don't live in the Austin city limits anymore, they have made some questionable decisions. (I.e. not allowing you to sell an old home without first upgrading the toilets to low flush models).

[sivartk]

Just heard on the news today that F1 has found the cash and the race (and track build) is back on. Might have to check this out next November....assuming it gets completed on time.

[Bubba1]

Just heard on the news today that F1 has found the cash and the race (and track build) is back on. Might have to check this out next November....assuming it gets completed on time.

just read that too. Appears Ms.Combs finally paid Bernie his sanctioning fee. Looks like the race is on to get the facility built in time.

[sbird1]

This is good news and makes me happy in my special area.