Formula 1 to return to USA in 2012. Purpose built facility in Austin Texas.

[JennB]

The Indy 500 is estimated to be about or more than 1/4 of a million people in attendance. It's the largest single day event in the world. (I use to live in Indy) The Speedway doesn't release official numbers but the place will hold something like 300,000 people. I think it hold more if you count infield.

I still don't see it as that much of a stretch. I don't think Austin would go for the chance if they couldn't do it. I just hope it happens and doesn't fall apart like the US F1 team.

[EJ25RUN]

Tilke to design new Austin circuit

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, May 27th 2010, 07:55 GMT


Herman TilkeThe new Austin Formula 1 track, which will host the American Grand Prix from 2012, is to be designed by Hermann Tilke, race organisers have announced.

Shortly after revealing its 10-year deal to hold the US event, Austin race promoters Full Throttle Productions have now earmarked a site for the circuit and confirmed that Tilke will be involved.

The exact location of the venue has not been disclosed, but Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of Full Throttle Productions, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press that its was 'more than 700 acres.'

Hellmund also ended speculation about who would design the track by confirming that F1 regular Tilke, the man behind track designs at Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Shanghai, and Sepang, will be involved.

Race promoters said the track would be "one of the finest permanent road course facilities in the world. Fans should expect the craftsmanship Tilke is famous for, with a priority placed on green building and a track similar to the great grand prix tracks of previous generations."





I really hate him. This is just another opportunity for an F1 facility to look like an amusement park instead of a proper circuit. Why can't Herman "Boring" Tilky just leave?
"Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Shanghai, and Sepang" Wooptee dooo. Flat tracks with long straights that are all basically stop and go circuits. Istanbul's turn 8 is the only thing he ever did right. In the last 10 years, the best GPs take place at circuits that have been on the calender for decades. His tracks produce fans wanting to watch other sports.
Really, how do any of his tracks compare to Spa, Monaco, Monza, Silverstone, Montreal, and Suzuka? Even Melbourne produces ridiculous action even tough it is a temporary track.
Since i began following F1 more than ten years ago, Tilke's tracks feel like speedbumps on the tour. In his time, Imola was taken off the calender and Germany has to make the decision of Hockenheim or the Nurburgring when they both have the credentials to be on there.

I really hope Bernie retires soon because i'm sick of F1 being a hedge fund and forgetting what the fans want. All Bernie has done is ensure his Tv times are good for Europe but not shown any concern over the crowds these foreign tracks produce. Herman Tilke circuits are part of that problem since they produce such boring races.

In 2005, Laguna Seca was Nicky Hayden's 1st GP win. I was there at the race.
In 2006, it was either his 2nd or 3rd win only.

The Indy 500 is Sunday. It's not F1, but it will still draw a sizeable crowd.

I was agreeing with you. I made the point that both of those races had good incentive for U.S. fans to want to be there.