Formula One returns to the United States
#21
Murphy the Bear is less optimistic:http://murphythebear.com/blog/index....seca/#comments
The Bear was told this is a “15 minutes of fame” deal. Cash paid to Bernie (a kind of application fee to FOA), but unlikely to get much beyond that. The number to get the “purpose-built” facility entirely prepared (garages, spectator amenities, track, etc.)? Murphy was quoted “a quarter billion dollars.”
Though three “possible sites” have been mentioned, The contemplated site is said to be a 7/8ths oval south of Austin, which makes sense to the Bear, since it will already have been “permitted” for racing activities…Thunderhill, baby! From NASCAR West to F1 in one big leap.
The deal has been floated by Full Throttle Productions, LP, whose managing partner is apparently 39-year-old Tavo (C.T.) Hellmund, most recently a part-time (14 starts) driver in NASCAR West’s K&N Pro Series (before that Formula Ford in Britain, and a few other nondescript racing adventures). Can a promoter for which a “big event” was drawing 9,000 to the Allstate Thunderhill 150 really build a $250 million facility and promote an international event that will have to draw 150,000 spectators to succeed? Can a promoter whose racing career was characterized by “under-funded efforts,” raise a quarter billion dollars for a facility, plus at least another $10 million for promotion and other operating costs? Can all that get done in 24 months?
“C.T.” is the son of the Tavo Hellmund, who promoted CART in Mexico City in the early 1980’s, now an Austin Ford dealer.
Murphy thinks the Austin Formula 1 race will have more in common with the F1 events in Moscow, Mexico, and India, than it will with Bahrain, Brazil, and Belgium. Time will tell, won’t it?
Though three “possible sites” have been mentioned, The contemplated site is said to be a 7/8ths oval south of Austin, which makes sense to the Bear, since it will already have been “permitted” for racing activities…Thunderhill, baby! From NASCAR West to F1 in one big leap.
The deal has been floated by Full Throttle Productions, LP, whose managing partner is apparently 39-year-old Tavo (C.T.) Hellmund, most recently a part-time (14 starts) driver in NASCAR West’s K&N Pro Series (before that Formula Ford in Britain, and a few other nondescript racing adventures). Can a promoter for which a “big event” was drawing 9,000 to the Allstate Thunderhill 150 really build a $250 million facility and promote an international event that will have to draw 150,000 spectators to succeed? Can a promoter whose racing career was characterized by “under-funded efforts,” raise a quarter billion dollars for a facility, plus at least another $10 million for promotion and other operating costs? Can all that get done in 24 months?
“C.T.” is the son of the Tavo Hellmund, who promoted CART in Mexico City in the early 1980’s, now an Austin Ford dealer.
Murphy thinks the Austin Formula 1 race will have more in common with the F1 events in Moscow, Mexico, and India, than it will with Bahrain, Brazil, and Belgium. Time will tell, won’t it?
#22
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/27/a...tion-revealed/
How did I miss this thread? This is freaking awesome. I live 2 hours from here. So not only will I get to see the races I'll get to hope for some open track days at an F1 race course.
I'll definitely be there for the race.
Only problem I see is the narrow minded environmentalists of the Austin area that would shut the entire project down if they found a purple spotted lark or something that they think is endangered. If the city and county government of Austin and Travis County respectively are involved no way it makes it in time. Austin is the San Francisco of Texas. It is green tree hugging Obama land. Best of luck Red. It'd be easier to build it anywhere else in Texas. I've driven by this site. It is a rural area that has only recently been opened up due to a toll road that bypasses the city. It's a great area for a course!
How did I miss this thread? This is freaking awesome. I live 2 hours from here. So not only will I get to see the races I'll get to hope for some open track days at an F1 race course.
I'll definitely be there for the race.
Only problem I see is the narrow minded environmentalists of the Austin area that would shut the entire project down if they found a purple spotted lark or something that they think is endangered. If the city and county government of Austin and Travis County respectively are involved no way it makes it in time. Austin is the San Francisco of Texas. It is green tree hugging Obama land. Best of luck Red. It'd be easier to build it anywhere else in Texas. I've driven by this site. It is a rural area that has only recently been opened up due to a toll road that bypasses the city. It's a great area for a course!
#24
Legacy TMS Member
HA. I KNEW that was the place. I google mapped it.
Of course, NOW it looks like an after the fact thing... I shoulda posted it.
Whatever.
Oh, and about city races better than track ones? Well... on TV sure. But after experiencing them first hand with the GP of Houston that year? I'll take a track thanks. There's no good sight lines for the course in the city.
Of course, NOW it looks like an after the fact thing... I shoulda posted it.
Whatever.
Oh, and about city races better than track ones? Well... on TV sure. But after experiencing them first hand with the GP of Houston that year? I'll take a track thanks. There's no good sight lines for the course in the city.
#25
I don't do trannies
or rear-ends anymore!
or rear-ends anymore!
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#31
#34
MOTM Committee Member
lol, all jokes aside it's pretty cool they chose Tejas as opposed to like NYC or something.
You gonna go to this in 2012 gare-bear? You can take the Raptor and "accidentally" run over one of those puny Eurpeans. Ya know, to show 'em whose boss.
You gonna go to this in 2012 gare-bear? You can take the Raptor and "accidentally" run over one of those puny Eurpeans. Ya know, to show 'em whose boss.
#35
I am definitely going. I wouldn't miss it for anything. It's like bigger than the Super Bowl if you ask me. The idea of an F1 track 90 minutes from me makes me hard.
#36
MOTM Committee Member
#37
Who os going to try to go? I will for sure!
#38
Shelby GT350 Member
I'm in for F1 but I'm REALLY in for V8 Supercar!! If I had my wish, my blog could get off the ground, if I had more time, and I could try and score some paddock tickets for V8 supercar. It'd make a great write up.
When time comes we can get a thread together of TMS'ers going. Maybe I can throw a TMS sticker on my Honda so you guys can know who to look away from.
When time comes we can get a thread together of TMS'ers going. Maybe I can throw a TMS sticker on my Honda so you guys can know who to look away from.
Last edited by Automagically; 10/3/11 at 01:04 PM.
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