The Austin race organizers praise the ‘yet to be built’ track
The organizers of the upcoming United States Grand Prix at its new venue Austin, Texas are more than optimistic. The race organisers proclaimed that this event is not only going to raise the standards of auto racing in America but will also give a new meaning
to the sport all around the world.
The managers of the event proclaimed to have signed a leading architectural firm, HKS to work in collaboration with Herman Tilke’s company for the designing and structuring of the new venue.
HKS is a renowned architecture firm founded by Horward k. Smith, stationed in Texas, US. It is one of the largest architecture companies of the continent in terms of its employees as well as in the means of the projects it carries.
On the other hand, Herman Tilke is the man behind the designing and construction of most of the cotemporary Formula One tracks. He has recently completed the Korean track and is now working for the Indian Circuit as well. Other major tracks built by the
German include Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, the technically most advanced circuit of the world, Yas Marina Circuit of Abu Dhabi and the Marina Bay Street Circuit of Singapore that holds the only night race of Formula One calendar.
While talking about the designing of the circuit, the Austin organisers said that they plan to create a track that will exhibit a “fully-integrated architectural and entertainment experience for both event participants and visitors”.
FIA has signed a contract to host the first race at the venue in 2012, which would take the sport back to US after a period of three years. Previously the event was held in New York while this will be the first time for Formula One to hold a race in Texas.
The site for the venue is around 900-acre which is planned to hold much more than just a Formula One track. As per the early reports a special driving and riding experience would be offered to the race visitors just close by the circuit. Moreover, the site
is also going to hold a seminar building with the most technically advanced facilities in addition to a motorsports driving club, a kart track and above all a large area is also segregated for the fans where numerous activities will take place simultaneously.
The most influential man behind taking Formula One back to US, Tavo Hellmund talked to the press earlier this week saying, “Never before has a cast been assembled in motorsport’s history that has the combined wealth of experience and knowledge that HKS and
Tilke bring to this project."
"Having industry leaders in sports facility architecture and design raises the bar for future motorsports facilities in this country and around the world.” He further told that such collaboration gives him a lot of hope and pleasure as he anticipates seeing
the event taking place in Texas.
He concluded saying, “Our design expertise, coupled with this world entity, will result in a destination environment that will elevate the face of Formula 1 United States on a global scale and further enhance one of America’s great cities.”
After having witnessed some exceptionally festive and jubilant Formula One events in Singapore and Abu Dhabi, the bar of fans is already very high. Now, Formula One is not seen as only another car racing event, rather it is believed to be a complete exhilarating
weekend, serving much more than just two hours of racing.
There is still one complete season to go before the Austin track holds its inaugural race and with so much much hype created by the organizers, one will have to wait and see whether all that is completely justified.
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