Organisers of the 2012 United States Grand Prix have named their track the ‘Circuit of the Americas’.
Red McCombs, one of the businessmen who has invested in the circuit in Austin, Texas, said: “One of the most inviting aspects of the name is the word ‘Americas’.
“It reflects Austin’s ideal location at the crossroads of North America from north to south, east to west. Also, it speaks to our state as a centre of commerce and cultural exchange in this hemisphere. I look forward to meeting many fans and visitors who will be coming from every country.”
There has been no American driver in Formula 1 since Scott Speed left the sport in 2007. However the presence of Mexican Sergio Perez may help attract foreign fans.
The track will be able to accommodate up to 120,000 spectators and will also host the 2013 round of the Moto GP championship.
A website for the circuit has been launched at http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/.
2012 United States Grand Prix
Doance (@doance)
12th April 2011, 22:56
what an awkward looking track. good job tilke.
Mouse_Nightshirt (@mouse_nightshirt)
12th April 2011, 23:57
The general consensus seems to be rather positive though…
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
13th April 2011, 0:20
Yeah, I like the look of it. It could have been so much better without that double hairpin at the end of the back straight, but apparently they’re looking to turn that part into a stadium section
Fixy (@)
13th April 2011, 13:00
Let’s wait and see, but it looks very vary and possibly better than older Tilke tracks.
ajokay (@)
13th April 2011, 14:19
Meh, stadium shmadium, it should just have been a fast left-hander linking turns 12 and 15.
Either way, the rest of the circuit looks really good.
matt90 (@matt90)
13th April 2011, 0:42
Yep, I think it looks like it could be fantastic. I just hope the surroundings aren’t a mass of concrete.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 1:43
What, exactly, is awkward about it? Is it the way the circuit has the third-highest elevation on the calendar after Spa and Suzuka? Is it the way Tilke has borrowed from te Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel complex at Silverstone and made it twice a long? Is it the blind drop at the apex of turn ten? Or it is the off-camber downhill replica of Istanbul’s turn eight that will be faster than the original corner that you think is awkward?
The difference between Austin and a lot of the circuit Tilke has designed (more Shanghai and Abu Dhabi than Sepang and Istanbul) is that the circuit owners and promoters are not faceless governments who want a Grand Prix to raise their national profile – they’re racers who understand that the first function of a racing circuit is that it should promote good racing rather than the country it’s built in.
Freddy
13th April 2011, 6:44
Hey! I liked your comment!!! I just hope, pray and would even hire a witch to get into Tilke’s creative mind, to make him design a Circuit WE, as fans, could actually enjoy!!!
The big Q here is who will attend the race? There are very few American F1 fans when compared to the global audience. And those who are, live mostly up north or in the west coast (I think). Then comes the “Other Americas”: Canada hosts one of the best annual races in F1: Montreal. And Mexico is already working on his own Street Circuit in the city of Charros and Mariachi: Guadalajara.
PRAY PRAY PRAY Tilke does not come up with another oversold, overpriced ****** circuit.
Snobeck
13th April 2011, 15:18
Luckily, I think more people than you know will show up to the race! From outside the US, it often appears as if there aren’t many F1 fans here, but there are (if not F1, fans of other motorsport types aside than NASCAR). Motorsport in general is an important part of our culture and will continue to be so. I know several people planning to attend the race with me, we will be driving down from our home here in Colorado… home of a little known hill climb event, Pikes Peak! Which by the way, PACKS the mountainside with about 35-40,000 fans up to an altitude of 14,100ft (4,300M)… that’s dedication :-D
MinusTwo
13th April 2011, 17:46
Totally agreed. The old adage that “there are no American F1 fans” is very innacurate. I am Canadian, and anyone who has been to the race in Montreal knows that the stands are full of Americans.
MagillaGorilla
13th April 2011, 17:58
I tend to believe you don’t live in the states. However, as sports like ALMS and IZOD as well as Nascar, SBK and even Moto GP get increasingly popular more motorsport fans I’ve met watch F1 as well. If you look back at Indy you get tons of fans for F1 and Indy 500, or Brickyard 400 and the Moto GP race there. You had fans at Phoenix (my city) and Detroit back in the 90s. The idea of there not being any F1 fans in the U.S. is a bit overdone. There are plenty of fans just never a well established track devoted or known soley for F1 like this track. Also Snobeck makes a great point. People are willing to travel from Canada and possibly europe to watch this race. Not only that but Americans travel alot to racing events all the time. Hell even the off-roading events where I live pack not just a few hundered people to thousands at times. Racing is a culture that many americans love and watch cause of they great entertainment it brings I’ve met many people that look average and dull on the surface but are diehard race fans of all kinds and American like me.
Uncle Dollface
8th June 2021, 22:14
MagillaGorilla, I’m pretty sure you’re not american, I think that’s why you say things like
“I tend to believe you don’t live in the states”
Americans refer to our country as America, the US, or the USA, not “the states”
When pretending to be American
Don’t say
“Increasingly more ppopular
“A bit overdone”
In fact we only really use the word “bit” when we tack it on the end of little or when revering to old
Nintendo’s
Lee
13th April 2011, 7:38
Couldnt agree more, everything i have read about the new track has been incredibly positive
Doance (@doance)
13th April 2011, 8:44
idk something about the pointy left-right zig zags before that hairpin looks weird. the last bit of the track is good though. i guess its a good track. still better than yas marina but anything is better than that track. i hate that plastic track.
Sangeen
13th April 2011, 9:06
So essentially,there is nothing new about it
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 11:00
Actually, the characteristics of the set-up will make the Circuit of the Americas radically different to those that it pays homage to.
Also, I suspect Tilke slipped the turn eight replica in just in case Istanbul gets axed.
Movement (@movement)
13th April 2011, 9:57
Tilke just shows that he has little or no imagination of his own – just borrowing good corners from different tracks…the only corner of his entire F1 portfolio which is any good is turn 8 Istanbul…
and the elevation change is not spread evenly across the track – its simply a very steep run into turn 1. I agree, that first corner will be very interesting, but the zig zags into turn 11 are not going to be much good…Maggots Becketts chapel series will be good (hopefully, but will they work in the scaled up version?) but turn 7 should be scrapped, just run the track in a nice high speed curve from 6 to 8…
Icthyes (@icthyes)
13th April 2011, 10:30
And still felt the need to add that stupid double-hairpin complex. Tilke all over.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 10:56
Hairpins and slow corners don’t automatically make a circuit bad. It’s a replica of the stadium section at Hockenheim. And the characteristics of the circuit (in terms of setup and downforce) will make it radically different to its parent circuit. And it also climbs uphill, Rallye Monte Carlo-style.
Steve Calvert
13th April 2011, 13:43
I think you guys that don’t like the turn complax after the back straight need to really look at that in scale. It doesn’t look that slow to me and with all the stands there it will sure make for good viewing.
I’d suggest going to their new web site, http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com and see some of the pictures.
Spud (@)
13th April 2011, 22:59
I’m very very impressed by it. They’ve really gone all out. The facilities there will be top notch. The elevation changes are great. No silly chicanes either which can only be a good thing.
With a car thats properly set up ,that run down from Turn 1 to Turn 11 will be an absolute stormer.
Can’t wait to see the race but I also can’t wait to race it on F1 2012.
Magnificent Geoffrey (@magnificent-geoffrey)
12th April 2011, 22:56
Wow. Not quite the name I would’ve gone for myself. Sounds awfully cheesy, to be perfectly honest!
RandomChimp (@randomchimp)
12th April 2011, 23:08
Well if a guy with a name like that invested in it what can you expect?
RIISE (@riise)
12th April 2011, 23:18
I always wonder what parents think when they name their children colours.
As for the name i’m really not a fan, like Mag said really cheesy.
RandomChimp (@randomchimp)
12th April 2011, 23:25
‘Red McComb’ made my mind spring to
the name of an American character in one episode of Outnumbered called ‘Brick’.
I guess it could be a nickname, maybe he’s a leftie by multi-millionaire investor standards? ;)
RIISE (@riise)
12th April 2011, 23:28
Ahhh turns out his name is Billy Joe…..
RandomChimp (@randomchimp)
12th April 2011, 23:30
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Red_McCombs
Holy Heck, it is!
Ben Curly
13th April 2011, 12:07
Not only the name is cheesy, but also the justification. Every sentence of it, in fact ;)
For example: when did Texas became the “cultural exchange centre in this hemisphere”. Why the hell I didn’t get the memo?!
dyslexicbunny
13th April 2011, 14:23
Perhaps you just aren’t “Texas cultured” enough to get the memo?
stu
7th May 2011, 19:20
I live in Austin and it is nothing like the rest of Texas.
The name of the circuit comes from being situated halfway between Canada and Mexico, and halfway between the East and West coasts of the US. I think it’s a cool name.
The worst part of the track is the location. It is situated in the middle of nowhere, with no infrastructure and the countryside is littered with trailer parks. That’ll surprise the hell out of the international high rollers that come this way.
the sri lankan
12th April 2011, 23:15
says the guy that calls himself magnificent geoffrey
Magnificent Geoffrey (@magnificent-geoffrey)
12th April 2011, 23:20
Oh, sorry. I didn’t realise I was a race track.
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
13th April 2011, 0:18
Ignore him. Or retaliate by reminding him how pathetically awful Toyota were, that normally does the trick
his_majesty
15th April 2011, 5:43
I call myself his majesty because that’s what I’ve been known as all of my life. I am after all prince henry. Well, that’s what my brother calls me
RIISE (@riise)
12th April 2011, 23:21
In context with the article I don’t see how there is any relevance to a username….
the sri lankan
13th April 2011, 2:25
name is a name at the end. doesnt matter how its applied. to be honest i think Circuit of the americas is lame. but its even lame seeing a guy called Magnificent Geoffrey laughing at it. ned just chillout man u dont need to kick em while they are down
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
13th April 2011, 10:06
Soz, just sticking up for the goldfish :)
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
13th April 2011, 3:13
@the sri lankan Agreed. Very cheesy username indeed. :P
Maksutov
13th April 2011, 13:37
LOL
Movement (@movement)
13th April 2011, 10:04
What I love most about the name is the reasoning behind it…they wanted to position themselves as the crossroads of the Americas, bridging South and North, East and West…what a ridiculous comment, of course Texas is not going to be that place, not in any way. Cue a race in Mexico in a few years, and a race in New York in a few years…that would spread it out more evenly.
Ben Curly
13th April 2011, 11:44
Pretty silly name, especially when you consider that Austin is about 2000 miles from the South America… Unless there are some other “Americas”, which I’m not aware of ;)
Cacarella
13th April 2011, 13:54
I think we should consider ourselves fortunate that they didn’t call it ‘Circuit of the World’. It was probably their second choice!
GeeMac (@geemac)
13th April 2011, 14:45
With “Team America” as the track marshalls…
Kenny
13th April 2011, 16:38
He said “crossroads of North America”. Which raises the question- why isn’t it called “Circuit of North America”?
Sushi Meerkat (@sushi-meerkat)
12th April 2011, 23:04
Circuit name by committee I see.
“we want to make ourselves sound central in this part of the world!”
Woody
12th April 2011, 23:08
Being American, it saddens me when I hear that the track has been named before there is a track to be named. It reminds me of the BS USF1 project we had to endure for over a year before we learned there was nothing in the works but hot air. I wish the organizers of the American event all the best but would rather hear about construction progress at this point.
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
13th April 2011, 0:25
I share your cynicism. From the very start it has reminded me of the disastarous Donington project. They talk as though it’s going to be the greatest circuit ever created, yet the reality is they’ve done nothing of any significance yet
If the circuit does get built- and I really hope it does- then it should be a fantastic facility and stage a fantastic event. But, until the the cars go out for FP1 next summer, I shall remain sceptical
Steve Calvert
13th April 2011, 13:47
I was just out there 2 weeks ago, it is being built.
GeeMac (@geemac)
13th April 2011, 14:48
So was Donington. A lot of work had been done and then….
Calum (@calum)
12th April 2011, 23:16
A foreigner will grab the attention of F1 fans in the USA – look at Japan, the sport’s succesful there, even though there has been no highly succesful drivers but their fans all supported Schumacher and they were fanatical!#
Vettel will keep the USA fans amused!
unnnococooc
13th April 2011, 3:25
I’m still enjoying the line about how while there is no USA driver in F1 currently a Mexican Perez would be of great intereest to USA.
Sure… because if there is one thing (Soutern) US Americans like, then it Mexicans………
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2011, 6:10
Weel, there should be enough of them around to fill the grandstands … ;-)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2011, 7:49
That’s not what I wrote.
unnnococooc
13th April 2011, 9:08
Sorry,…. on a re read it wasn’t… I was quickly going through it and that’s how it stuck in my head.
I kind of just merged the two sentences into one. Speed left for the USA GP, but Perez is there.
Anyway………… moving on completely…..
dyslexicbunny
13th April 2011, 14:25
I heard that Perez was going to be held at customs next year and unable to race. Well if he came in through Arizona.
sw6569 (@sw6569)
12th April 2011, 23:16
Elevation changes on the track look great!
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
13th April 2011, 0:27
133ft… could anyone put that into perspective? What sort of elevation changes are there at Spa and Monaco, for example? (Again, I think the different elevation changes on circuits would be an interesting subject for an article)
Icthyes (@icthyes)
13th April 2011, 0:47
I did a little search and found this: http://media.nowpublic.net/images//9c/5/9c5956b5a8c0f78a230a46c20d79a8be.jpg
That’s quite high then!
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 3:37
I don’t know the exact elevation changes, but I believe CotA will be second or third on the calendar in terms of overall elevation. Spa is the highest, and then it’s either CotA or Suzuka. Monaco, I think, is fourth. Turkey and Interlagos are somewhere in there, too.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
13th April 2011, 10:33
I think that puts it into even more perspective. Monaco isn’t exactly known for its elevation chance, most of which is just Mirabeau down to the tunnel. Here as well, it’s just the run to the first corner, with a few dips here and there.
matt90 (@matt90)
13th April 2011, 13:11
I think Monaco, probably exaggerated by the narrowness and close barriers, is very well known for its elevation changes. It’s one of the best aspects of the circuit.
ajokay (@)
13th April 2011, 15:32
I think the buildings hide the obvious elevation change. Try walking around the circuit, there’s plenty of hills!
schooner
13th April 2011, 14:03
I read on a bicycling web site that the Monaco curcuit has 190 feet of elevation change.
Williams F1!
13th April 2011, 1:14
Completely agreed!
Calum (@calum)
12th April 2011, 23:22
Oh dear: The trackis named “Circuit of the Americas” but I read the headline as “turns named after circuits of America.”
That wouldn’t be a bad shout though, naming differant parts after famous American raceways.
I would call the longest straight ‘Bonneville’ as a nod to the home of World Speed attempts, afterall cars will be hitting 200mph (subject to 2013 regs).
Magnificent Geoffrey (@magnificent-geoffrey)
12th April 2011, 23:28
That’s a pretty cool idea.
Also, thank God the corners will actually have names and won’t be called ‘Turn X, Turn Y and Turn Z’. I hate that.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
13th April 2011, 0:12
But unfortunately it sounds like the corners will all be named exclusively after famous Texans. I was hoping there’d be some nods to F1’s great Americans of the past like Andretti, Phil Hill, and Dan Gurney. Heck, they could name the hill at turn one after Phil Hill. :-)
Icthyes (@icthyes)
13th April 2011, 0:44
Maybe Turn 1 could be Phil Hill Hill? ;)
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
13th April 2011, 3:24
Phil Hill or Phil Hill Hill both sound hilarious to me! I think if anyone was going to do something fun like that, it would be the Americans! Actually, we should get in touch via Twitter! :P
F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
13th April 2011, 1:59
it can only be phil hill. is there some website i can demand they call it that?
greg76 (@greg76)
13th April 2011, 11:10
Corners usually have names from the surroundings or local racing history. So I guess you either call them Turn 1, etc… or Dune corner or Al Mutawaa corner, not enough material to name 20 hairpins though.
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
13th April 2011, 0:31
Hey, if they’re looking to embrace Americas theme and the people of the entire continent, why not name each corner after countries in North and South America?
Or, for the novelty factor, just use the names of Carribean islands? ‘Cuba Corner’ has a nice ring to it.
Tango
13th April 2011, 8:18
Barbados straight and Jamaica bend.
Charlie
13th April 2011, 9:50
“Jamaica bend?”
“No, she did it all by herself”
Badum-tish!
Mike
14th April 2011, 11:18
Hahaha!
Someone had to :D
I suspect “famous” Texan might translate to rich, but nvm.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 11:03
What happens if an engine blows and starts smoking in the middle of that corner?
Pink Pirelli
13th April 2011, 11:45
I like “Castro Corner” myself ;)
Cacarella
13th April 2011, 14:00
‘Cuba Corner’ – The Only F1 corner where all drivers are forced to take an escape route to avoid it.
rci 808
12th April 2011, 23:46
Mr.McCombs put up alot of money to get this idea going, and all you people can do is bitch about his nickname, and the name of the track?
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
13th April 2011, 0:34
Oh yeah, purely out of the goodness of his heart… because billionaires are usually the generous type
rci 808
13th April 2011, 0:42
You are right.. he should have just built another basketball stadium then eh?
MattW
13th April 2011, 3:33
or casino resort
Victor
12th April 2011, 23:46
Gee, don’t we have circuits in the “America’s”? Typical american arrogance unfortunately. (said by an american, or as Wright attempted to promote, Usonian)
Tony K
14th April 2011, 2:34
*whiff*
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
12th April 2011, 23:51
I’m American, hell I’m Texan and I love it.
I think it has a great name.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
12th April 2011, 23:54
I don’t mind the name. It’s a little daft but I expect no less from the Americans!
rci 808
12th April 2011, 23:56
unbelievable…
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
13th April 2011, 13:18
Sorry – a little harsh of me perhaps. But the USA does like to make it abundantly clear when something is American.
stu
7th May 2011, 19:27
I think by calling it “the Americas”, they are overtly diminishing the “America” part of it.
rci 808
12th April 2011, 23:57
Thanks for all the support Europe.
SirCoolbeans (@sircoolbeans)
13th April 2011, 11:11
Most people are just discussing the name, a name thought up by a business group and not the country of the USA. I wouldn’t take it personally.
Anyway, I quite like the name. :D
Snobeck
13th April 2011, 19:39
In some cases, but there is also quite a bit of ignorance regarding Americans floating around. People aren’t just attacking the name, but crossing the line into outright jabs against a nation (something I’m used to nowadays, unfortunately). Every country has it’s sterotypes, so people, please leave your generalizations about my countrymen at the door… you’re just as arrogant and ignorant as the supposed American you’re attempting to describe.
Robyn
13th April 2011, 0:13
In New York City, we have a street that’s named “The Avenue of the Americas” (although everyone calls it “6th Avenue). I’m pretty sure it was given that name in an attempt to honor countries throughout the Americas, as opposed to presuming that it’s somehow representative of the Americas or the very best street in the Americas or some such thing. I’m guessing the people who named this circuit had something similar in mind.
Not that I think the people complaining about the US and the name of this circuit will actually care. Just thought I’d mention it!
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2011, 6:15
Ha, good one Robyn! I think its a fine name. They will certainly be looking for Mexican interests into the GP as well.
And its a lot better than just calling it The Austing Texas international circuit or something.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
13th April 2011, 0:15
It’s not what I would’ve picked, but there are certainly far worse options out there. I’m just relieved it didn’t get named after a corporate donor. It could’ve been the “Pepsi Max Super Duper Awesome Extreme Ring.”
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
13th April 2011, 3:59
Amen to that Peter! I was afraid of the same kind of thing. I am so sick of stadiums being named after corporations. I’m glad to see my home state bucking the trend with Cowboys Stadium, and now Circuit of the Americas!
dyslexicbunny
13th April 2011, 14:36
I am interested and would like to subscribe to your building naming newsletter.
I actually like “Pepsi Max Super Duper Awesome Extreme Ring”. Acronym sounds like a monthly poke the angry bear ritual – PMSDAER.
My only problem with it is that Brazil and Canada have a circuit. They are in the Americas. They are both exciting circuits too. CotA isn’t a terrible short version but I think the American elitism could have been held back a bit. Not that it’s ever stopped us before…
Stephen Jones (@aus_steve)
13th April 2011, 0:27
isn’t there already Road America?
eh, i kinda like it.. the logo design is kinda cool as well
Icthyes (@icthyes)
13th April 2011, 10:37
If there hadn’t been a Road America and they had named the Austin circuit that, there’d still be criticism yet I’ve never heard one about the naming of RA!
David-A (@david-a)
13th April 2011, 0:28
Austin Circuit would have been simpler and better.
After all, “Suzuka Circuit” or “Silverstone Circuit” don’t do them any harm.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 1:38
“Austin Circuit” would have been bland and uninspiring and meaningless. Do you know why Silverstone is called Silverstone? It’s because it’s built on the site of RAF Silverstone, a World War II airstrip that fell into disuse once the war was over. “Austin Circuit”, on the other hand, would simply continue the trend of boring names like “Bahrain Circuit” and “Shanghai Circuit” and “Valencia Circuit”, and given the layout and the potential it has, it deserves more than that.
David-A (@david-a)
13th April 2011, 3:25
“Circuit of the Americas” on the other hand, is a rather cheesy and long winded way of saying “America Circuit”, like calling it “Circuit of Shanghai” or “Circuit of Bahrain”.
It’s just my opinion that I’d rather take the simple route to naming. At least the track itself looks good.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 1:12
I like it. I don’t think it’s pretenious or presumptuous. I admit, I was hoping for something like “Wandering Creek” or a name with the word “Ring” in it (because we have far too few new Rings these days), but it could easily have been much worse. There was the suggestion that it may have been known the “Red Bull Raceway at Austin” because the circuit’s Twitter feed posted a message on the Red Bull feed (personally, as far as evidence goes, this struck me as quite specious), but I like the name “Circuit of the Americas”. It feels right.
Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
13th April 2011, 9:21
Actually, I like it as well.
I’m not really understanding all the criticism it getting.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 11:07
Most of the criticism stems from the fact that it’s American and the last American Formula 1 project – namely USF1 – failed horrendously. Let’s say the Nurburging Nordschleife had never been invented until Tilke came along and designed it on the outskirts of Austin. I guarantee you people would still criticise it for being American and being designed by Tilke.
TheBrav3
13th April 2011, 1:35
Boooooooorrrrrinnnngggggg :P daytona charlotte laguna seca those are real race track names!
F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
13th April 2011, 1:40
“americas”
one being “the united states of” and the other being “texas”.
just kidding. i look forward to my trip to planet texas in 2012 :)
JB
13th April 2011, 3:25
Texas hasn’t been a country for over 160 years…
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
13th April 2011, 4:38
But it was once, and that’s what counts ;)
Icthyes (@icthyes)
13th April 2011, 10:35
Wales has never been a country! Doesn’t stop them.
spanky the wonder monkey
13th April 2011, 13:11
i beg to differ. wales is to england as what canada is to the usa.
JB
13th April 2011, 15:26
It’s the exact same except everybody is more polite and has a silly accent?
spanky the wonder monkey
13th April 2011, 15:50
well, all i know is that if you ask a canadian which part of the states they are from, they’re usually not overly impressed ;-)
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
13th April 2011, 1:55
Some of my friends back in USA said this track will be one of the best of Tilke, they said it is built with great care. Hope it provides good racing & we will see F1 returns a place where it was never successful.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 2:08
I wouldn’t say Formula 1 was never successful in America. It’s more a case of the sport never having been managed properly.
Scalextric
13th April 2011, 2:24
A large part of this is because races are on TV when most of of my fellow residents are awake. Race times are optimized for Europe. Or optimised, if you insist. Then in prime time here there’s plenty of other sport to keep advetizers and viewers happy. But the shoddy management and lack of a US legacy in F1 doesn’t help one bit. Nevertheless, Ferrari and Mercedes sell more here than most other places.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 3:17
I was thinking less about television times and more along the lines of some of the confusing decisions the Powers That Be have made. Indy 2005 is the obvious choice, but there are other baffling moments – like the Phoenix and Las Vegas circuits, two of the worst circuits Formula 1 has ever visited.
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
13th April 2011, 4:41
Ya’ll have hit on one of F1’s biggest challenges in the US. TV times, though I prefer to see the races live, and will gladly stay up till 3 am to watch (like I did for Sepang last weekend) most Americans will not. We are a country that is sadly based far too much on convenience and will just ignore things that aren’t put right in front of us.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 6:08
Somehow, I don’t think they’re going to host the USGP at three in the morning to best suit European audiences.
dyslexicbunny
13th April 2011, 15:03
Seriously? I doubt that’s the problem. I DVR them and watch them in the morning since I don’t have the interest in tanking my body clock all season. It makes Monday and Tuesday mornings hell. If you’re concerned about spoilers, don’t look at the internet. But there’s very little TV I watch live anymore.
Besides, the only races that are a problem are East Asia and Australia. I can usually get up a bit early for Europe. But the DVR is a great backup.
Gusto
13th April 2011, 3:10
Immediate thought was…. looks like the Roller Coaster in Stunt Car Racer by Sir Crammond ;-)
teeb123
13th April 2011, 4:20
I think they should cut out the stadium “mickey-mouse” section and join corners 12 and 15 with a swooping left hander.
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
13th April 2011, 4:44
My thoughts exactly teeb123, I am sure for other series this will be possible, but I’d love to see them do it for F1. I’d even take out turn 7 and have 6 just go straight into 8 making another long curve. That would make it much more like the flowing high speed circuits of the past.
Otherwise I am fairly pleased with the circuit, good turns and nice elevation change should make things interesting.
jose arellano
13th April 2011, 5:08
“…the presence of Mexican Sergio Perez may help attract foreign fans…”
you dont have a clue!, the place is going to be absolutely filled of Mexicans.
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
13th April 2011, 5:22
Yes it is!! :)
Gusto
13th April 2011, 5:09
Any reason why its anticlockwise?….Apart from cant get enough of that turning left..joking x-)
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
13th April 2011, 6:13
It seems to be a geography thing. One of the big things the organisers wanted in the first drafts of the circuit was as long and steep a climb into the first turn as they could manage. The placing of the first turn dictated a lot about the direction of racing.
And only half the corners are actually left-handers.
Freddy
13th April 2011, 7:11
1st. Being a Tilke circuit chances are it’ll bring NOTHING new or exciting to the sport. I just hope he listens to RACERS not to Bernie or NFS designers.
2nd. Sorry guys! But calling it the “Circuit of the Americas” has a terrible and negative historical connotation for the rest of the continent. Goes back to the Monroe Doctrine: “America for the Americans” the exact same phrase that nourishes the resentment most Latin American cultures have against the US.
3rd. Where’s the attendance? Americans hardly watch F1 and if so, they don’t live in Southern US. Looking for foreign tourism? Canada hosts one of the best Races of the year in Montreal and Mexico will soon have a street circuit in Guadalajara. Brazil has another historical Grand Prix. Betcha whatever that South Americans would rather travel to Interlagos in Sao Paolo to watch the closing race of the season than to Austin. Especially when having to deal with long visa application forms, US Immigration, anti-terrorism measures. etc…
The circuit looks nice, I am sure it could be interesting, but as someone said: “Another Circuit Fantasy.” More than half of the new it-is-a-fact circuit extravaganzas made in the last 5-10 years, never became reality.
CHEERS!
Freddy
13th April 2011, 7:13
Sorry I meant long visa application LINES, not forms. It may take days to get to a “travel visa hearing”.
R P Henley
22nd April 2011, 2:40
DC (@dc)
13th April 2011, 7:18
Austin is getting Moto GP? Is Indianapolis losing its race, or are they adding another on the schedule?
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
13th April 2011, 8:35
They are adding it to the schedule DC.
Oliver
13th April 2011, 11:10
Will be just great to see a sign board with “Circuit of the Americas …No tickets to illegal immigrants”
Malibu_GP
13th April 2011, 12:23
I have high hopes for this project. Don’t care what they call it, only that it silences the naysayers and provides great racing down there in Texas. I am gonna be ordering My tickets in the coming weeks, and will be traveling to Austin by Motorcoach. Say what You like Haters of all things American, this is special… Ive been a die-hard supporter since the seventies, when Andretti was winning and Sir Jackie was all over TV advertising. USF1 debacle aside, We ( Americans) will host a great GP. Also, Perez will definitely excite in Texas. Like California where I’m from, there’s a huge Mexican population there.
Robbie (@robbie)
13th April 2011, 15:23
Agree with you Malibu_GP…I hope to see this track and race happen just as I was thrilled to see our Canadian GP put back on the sched after Bernie backed down from his astronomical financial demands and guarantees from the Provincial and Federal Government that he would get his money first and foremost…I think it is important that F1 be in the USA, it is such a huge market, so I hope BE’s financial demands are reasonable toward Texas for the right to field an F1 race, and fully expect BE not to make money a barrier for this very important market…
I understand fully that the States has it’s own racing series’, and especially without an American driver in F1 that makes it hard for Americans to appreciate F1, but many many do anyway…and many come from all corners of the earth for any GP, no matter where it is…
I’m sure there will be lots of Canadians thrilled to have another F1 race within a short flight’s distance, and will attend with enthusiasm…
schooner
13th April 2011, 13:31
I’m not in love with the name, but at least it didn’t wind up being “Race City USA”, as was rumored. That would have been truly embarassing.
Maksutov
13th April 2011, 13:44
‘Circuit of the Americas’ , embarrassing name to say the least. Everyone knows that the circuit is in America. Why be fag about it .
Tony K
14th April 2011, 2:37
Riiiiight…
DaveW
13th April 2011, 15:05
Track looks good. It has the olde time feel of a long track going somewhere with interesting natural ideosyncracies. Maybe like the original Spa or Imola.
The name is absurd. And the explanation of the name is too confused to even bother figuring out what part of the Western Hemishphere it is supposed to represent. But, hey, we talking about it, so win for the investors.
ScuderiaVincero (@scuderiavincero)
21st July 2011, 15:10
I have no reason to dislike this circuit. Though (like many) I do feel tempted to connect Turns 12 and 15, and to a lesser extent, turns 6 and 8.