F1 is coming to Texas in 2012
 

I just saw where F1 is coming to Texas in 2012. I'm a huge NASCAR fan but I like all kinds of racing. I'll do my best to make it to that first race in Austin but it better be worth the hype :winkwink:

" Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited (together, the F1 Commercial Rights Holder) and Full Throttle Productions, LP, promoter of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix?, announce that a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix? for years 2012 through 2021.

Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group stated: ?For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event. It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix? was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success. Since then, Formula One has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval. Lewis Hamilton won the last Formula 1 United States Grand Prix? in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US.?

Full story here: http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin...0/5/10824.html

It'll be interesting to see how it pans out. Will Americans enjoy cars turning left *and* right in the same race?

congrats austin. i am glad the are building a dedicated facility for this, otherwise it would be short lived. the noise and disruptions are a burden on the local businesses when the race is run on a temp street track. at least according to phoenix and lv.

And Vancouver and any other city that's run a street track other than Monaco ;)

There is lots of road course racing in the US that's proved to be very popular. Every year I go to the Rolex 24 held on the road course at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring on it's own road course. While the road courses are fun to watch on tv it's hard to follow the action in person when you can only see one section of the track. In that respect it's hard to beat oval racing with stadium seating.

God Phoenix was a crap race.

True... It'll be interesting to see a full F1 circuit in the States. There's been a ton of new track lately.

but in f1 you get the best of the best drivers and the quickest cars.

:1orglaugh

Seriously though... hasn't F1 been to Indianapolis already? Americans just don't get into F1.

I don't know anything about F1 but I do know the Indy cars do almost 240 mph at Indy and the NASCAR guys get just over 200 mph at tracks like Texas.

How fast do the F1 cars go on their tracks?

https://youtube.com/watch?v=EGUZJVY-sHo

:)

http://www.ehow.com/about_5588991_fast-f1-car_.html

"
0 to 100 and Cornering Speed
# The average 0 to 100 mph (124 kph) speed of an F1 is between 3.2 and 3.8 seconds. This metric will vary, depending on available engine power, mechanical grip and the aerodynamic efficiencies of a particular F1 car. High-speed corner velocities for these cars can range from 182.5 mph (290.00 kph) through Spa Francorchamps' right-handed Eau Rouge corner to 196.5 mph (316.24 kph) through Suzuka's R1 left-right corner sequence. ...

The top straight-line speed on a conventional racing circuit was measured at just under 200 mph (198.98 mph) at the GP of Japan round at Suzuka during the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. "

Sweet. Looks like I will be in Austin at least once per year from 2012-2021! :)

Thanks for the links. I really liked the video :thumbsup

When it was said above that F1 cars were the fastest I got to thinking how fast could they go due to the limitations of a road course. As it turns out they are actually the slowest of the three racing series, F1, Indy and NASCAR when it comes to actual race speeds. I would've guessed it to be the other way around but I learned something today :winkwink:

WOOHOO!! I love F1 so much more than NASCAR. In fact, the only series I love more is JGTC. I hope the course is built near my house....just not TOO near. :thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

I'll organize a yearly industry party around the event, with hookups at all the best bars and venues. :thumbsup

varoom varoom!@

I was really glad to hear this too. I like just about all kinds of racing and F1 has been needed in the US forever.

the fia loves to tinker with shit and they slowed the cars down dramatically over the years.

right on! count me in, just include the shady grove!

F1 is not about top speed. They are FAR quicker through turns than INDY or Nascar. If you ever get the chance to see an F1 car in real life, you will see the incredible speed in the change of direction which no other formula can compete with.

f1 cars have better handling, braking and acceleration. there's no point having a top speed of 240mph if you've braked for a corner before you can reach that speed, unlike indy cars on an oval. though f1 engines with the right gearing could do those speeds.

f1 also brings in regulations every year to slow the cars down, to make it safer (and to reduce costs).

and of course the drivers in f1 are the elite drivers, f1 drivers move over to indy when they retire. ;)

Made me laugh! :1orglaugh

AND the F1 circuit has Ferrari day! Beat that! :)

Should be interesting to see how it is received in Texas.

Not often you see an F1 car on an oval. V10 era and i swear he almost bins it right after take off.

What is Ferrari day?

shit, maybe it's just this year.

...and Perfect 10! :pimp:pimp:pimp

Finally sealed the deal. Good. I hope it more succesful than the last couple of US ones :)

lol Texas.. wtf? I'd love F1 to get back to the US after it's short stint back in Indy,.. but Texas? That's like the worst place to ever put a F1 race..

Might be easy to build a track there but it sure will be tough to fill the place especially since Indy had such a hard time and was much closer to the major markets.

Not too long ago NASCAR was planning to build a track in New York City which would have got them in the #1 market but they gave up when they found out how much red tape they would have to deal with.

Right, except top speeds mean nothing. Especially when you consider that they are driving in a big circle/oval for a few hours. F1 cars are the absolutely pinnacle of automotive technology. They can generate enough G forces in a corner to break ribs. And they do it on race tracks. Not big circles.

Can you tell I hate oval track racing?

F1 racing is the best, all others are in the minor leagues.

it's not called Formula 1 for nothing - it's simply the most advanced racing series on this planet.

well, motoGP is in the same category eh.

just sayin!

:1orglaugh

the biggest hurdle they have is creating excitement for f1 in the states between now and then and quite frankly, that's a concern.

the tele coverage this season is abysmal. no replay on sundays, no hd. come on.

that's why f1 hasn't taken hold in the states.

moto gp is also cool - i am thinking about going to the race on august 15 since it's on the brno racetrack which is like 10 miles from my home :)

right on! we attend motoGP at laguna seca. good times.