[mclarenf1gtr]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/formula_one/15766613.stm

I was looking forward to this race, too. I wouldn't be surprised if Bernie never intended it for it to happen - he just needed an ace up his sleeve to make the New Jersey / NY GP possible.

It just brings more disrepute and ill will towards F1 in the US. And that's a shame.

 

[falb]

WHAT!!!!! This is total BS. Bummer!

 

[Boxer (aka SSO)]

Seems it died before it even really got off the ground.

 

[Peloton25]

I guess that is better than filling the stands with F1 fans from all over the world on race day and then running a race with 6 cars because of tire failures.

Shame to see another F1 failure in the USA but I was never overly thrilled with the idea of Formula One cars racing in Austin, TX. Just doesn't seem like the right place for such activities.

>8^)
ER

 

[6th element]

I guess that is better than filling the stands with F1 fans from all over the world on race day and then running a race with 6 cars because of tire failures.

Shame to see another F1 failure in the USA but I was never overly thrilled with the idea of Formula One cars racing in Austin, TX. Just doesn't seem like the right place for such activities.

>8^)
ER

I know what you mean, but still I would rather see a race in Austin than Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, or India.

Now it all seems like just another fast-talking promoter (Tavo Hellmund) that couldn't deliver on his grandiose promises. I'm not a Bernie fan, but asking for a Letter of Credit doesn't seem too egregious.

Hopefully the NY race will come through. As a Nor-Easter, I can hardly complain!

 

[Boxer (aka SSO)]

+1 on the New York race. The background would be great.

 

[mclarenf1gtr]

I know what you mean, but still I would rather see a race in Austin than Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, or India.

Now it all seems like just another fast-talking promoter (Tavo Hellmund) that couldn't deliver on his grandiose promises. I'm not a Bernie fan, but asking for a Letter of Credit doesn't seem too egregious.

Agreed on both points. It's worth noting that Texas hosted a GP before, the 1984 Dallas GP, won by Keke Rosberg. One could argue it has more racing heritage than the random Middle East / Asian countries which pay Bernie a fat check to host races that no one turns up to watch (Korea anyone?)

This feels like Donington all over again. Funnily enough, in both cases, the promoters were "good friends" of Bernie...

 

[falb]

Are you kidding? Texas is the perfect place to host an F1 race. New Jersey? I can only scratch my head.

 

[Boxer (aka SSO)]

Are you kidding? Texas is the perfect place to host an F1 race. New Jersey? I can only scratch my head.

In terms of filling the seats, much better chance of selling out in the New York area.

 

[Peloton25]

The one benefit I can see with Texas is that it makes attending the race more viable for South American Formula One fans as well. There used to be a large contingent who would travel to Indy when it held the race but I suspect Texas is an even more appealing venue for them.

>8^)
ER

 

[SROC4]

I moved to Austin from San Francisco several months ago. I've been pretty active with the F1 activities here and are friends with people involved locally.

I wouldn't say Texas as a state is the right fit for F1, but Austin as a city is. All the people involved in F1 from Europe that have come here have been very impressed by Austin. The funny thing is the same words come out of all their mouths which is "now I get it". Most of them tell me they've "fallen in love" with the city and can't wait to come back for the race. The input of Tavo and Kevin Schwantz on the track design is a big plus too because they made sure the drivers will love it.

Montreal is one of the most popular venues within the F1 community, and many have compared it to Montreal. David Coulthard himself told me this when he was in town back in August.

I think overall in terms of a full Grand Prix weekend, people will be pleasantly surprised if the race happens (hopefully) here.

Now we shall see if they can work something out this week...