Officials stand by Austin GP
Despite the mounting speculation that deadlines will not be met, officials have insisted that the 2012 Formula 1 Austin Grand Prix in the United States will go ahead as planned. Recent weeks have seen
an increase in doubts that the track can be completed on time, and it is the latest in a series of worries regarding the hectic F1 schedule, with Korea’s Yeongam track and Delhi’s Grand Prix subject to criticism as well.
But with just over a year to go before the race, the 3.4 mile track promises to deliver an exhilarating course for F1 drivers to fly on, and construction is progressing substantially. “Tremendous progress
is being made on the circuit in Austin, Texas,” F1 United States spokesman Adam Goldman told BBC Sport. “The project team and community look forward to hosting the F1 United States Grand Prix in 2012.”
The Austin circuit is plagued by worries that the surrounding metropolitan area is not being adapted efficiently enough to accommodate the 120,000 fans who are expected to attend the race, with hours of
severe traffic congestion predicted. Analysts have predicted that it could cost up to $15 million to sufficiently deal with the infrastructure.
But solutions are being reached. “We are working with the State of Texas, City of Austin and Travis County to break ground on the project by the end of the year,” Goldman countered, in response to the
concerns. And with an expected revenue of approximately $300 million, the Austin circuit will generate a welcome amount of income for the local community.
If the Grand Prix goes ahead as agreed, the 3.4 mile circuit designed by Hermann Tilke is expected to hold a contract for the next ten years, the first Grand Prix to be held in the United States since
Lewis Hamilton won the at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2007. It will be the second F1 circuit in North America, after the Gilles Villeneuve track in Montreal, Canada.
The United States enjoys a healthy tradition with motor racing, most especially in Nascar and Indycar. But F1’s increasing popularity has helped a considerable fan base to grow, and supporters are eager
to bring back and cement the world’s most famous form of racing in their country. “We are planning something grand, something that has permanence,” stated Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of Full Throttle Productions LP back in August. “Bernie has brilliant
ideas on how to inject thrills into the race weekend with support events, mega parties in the park. This is no fairytale or witchcraft – I know that we can do it, but hard work lies before us.”
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