U.S. Grand Prix to be held in Texas, Austin
Finally it is time that the United States of America hails Formula One racing in its own backyard. Jubilation is already in the air with intense discussion already going on air in the American press. However, they are many professional racers and fans in America who are confused as to why the state of Texas has been chosen out of all? Despite all the hindrances and limitations, the management for Formula One racing has chosen Austin, Texas as the final destination for the grand race.
As most people put it, the organizers came to this decision after a proper evaluation.
Traditionally, the U.S. Grand Prix has always been conducted in the city of New York which is the historical home for motor racing in the country. The state has hosted the race from 1961 until the year 1980. Although races have been held in other states such as the Long Beach Grand Prix to the city of Indianapolis, New York’s relationship with Formula One racing has always remained an intimate one. In the end, F1M, the company that licenses and manages the sport, chose Austin, Taxes to host the United States Grand Prix from 2012 till the year 2020.
The new writing of Matt Hardigee of Jalopnik gives a detailed account of why New York has not been selected in his article "how and why New York got screwed”. Hardigee argues that until the 5th of May, it appeared that F1 was back to its darling state of New York. As per him, the ground work to prepare the track had begun. He also informed that Bernie Eccelstone from F1 and famous track designer Herman Tilke had even visited the Monticello Motor Club in a bid to stage the race in New York.
However, the decision by F1’s management brought the entire preparations in New York to a grinding halt. It was strange for many people that New York was actually screwed and F1 chose to venture into the city of Austin.
First of all, as Eccelstone explains it, the interest, from the top management to the bottom lies in making profits. “Money”, for Formula One management is the only commodity that matters. As Hardigee reports, Texas has always been a better paymaster for motorsports in America than any other city. The hands behind the project range from the governor down to the state controller - everyone is involved. According to him, the involvement of all, from the all-mighty to the lower management could magnetize more bucks for the event.
While talking about the track, Eccelstone has designed a track that is specifically built for F1. As some experts explain, the track could cost around $250 million to the Austin American-Statesman. If the decision would have gone in favor of New York, the cost would have drastically decreased and the race could have easily be held at the Watkins Glen or Monticello circuit which are excellent tracks to race on. However, the circuits lack the modernity for F1 racing.
It would be a novel experience for the United States to have a world-class facility that will be purpose-built for Formula One racing. Eccelstone further added that building a racing track for the 2012 season in Austin is a huge challenge. He believes that the idea of building a new track could create problems. Experts argue the value of opting for a new track which is still to be built over an existing track.
The second big advantage of running the cars at Austin is its audience. Eccelstone says that they have pushed hard to expand F1 into newer markets like China, Abu Dhabi and are now heading towards Korea and India along with opening a wide range of new audiences. He says that Texas is their new destination. F1M does have a solid point when they say that Austin has the perfect geographical location as the city is close to the North, South and Central American fans. In contrast to this, New York would have meant sharing a market with the same audiences who throng to the Canadian Grand Prix.
Experts say that New York was not screwed in the end, rather it was Austin that made more logic for the Formula 1 Management and ultimately for the sport. And when all is said and done, it is the grand return of Formula One racing to the United States of America that matters the most.
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