Last month, the Austin City Council officially endorsed the already-on-the-calendar United States Grand Prix and approved a commitment for up to $25m per year for 10 years.
This was a big, and hopefully last, major hurdle for the event, its promoters, the new Circuit of the America's track and their collective future. And I'm looking forward to it because Uncle Sam needs something good to happen regarding our deserved place on the international motorsports stage. An all new, state-of-the-art track facility successfully introduced to the world with an F1 race on June 17, 2012 could be it.
From 1961 through 1980, the US GP was held at Watkins Glen in upstate New York before moving to Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix and finally Indianapolis, where its last hurrah was in 2007 after eight unremarkable races at the Brickyard.
Formula 1 has never been all that popular here, always overshadowed by Champ Car/IndyCar and later NASCAR. But 'here' is very popular with both the automobile manufacturers and myriad global sponsors who are heavily invested in the world's biggest racing series.
Three years ago, when it was announced F1 was leaving Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tevo Hellmund, the man behind the now-under-construction track along the SH130 corridor in southeast Austin, saw an opportunity, called Bernie Ecclestone and started a dialogue.
Ecclestone took the call because he was friends with Hellmund's father, who was also a race promoter, and has known Tevo since he was a very young boy.
And surprise, surprise. In March of 2010 the shocking news broke about a new US F1 race in Austin, Texas of all places, not in or around one of our populous coastal metropoli, starting in 2012.
Considering the time frame, economy and impossible dream logistics at the time of that announcement, it?s no wonder many pundits pooh-poohed the race's chances for ever being run. And after the USF1 team fiasco, who could blame them.
An F1 race? In Texas? In June?
But now, only 11 months before the inaugural United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, it appears those pundits and nattering nabobs of negativism were wrong as all systems appear go -- despite the last minute government funding hiccup.
That challenge was not a surprise. The subsidy agreement negotiated between Hellmund, partner Red McCombs, and the taxpayers created a firestorm of controversy in a state where education, health care and other services were being eliminated due to budget cuts.
So an opposition was organized, paperwork was filed, social media streams caught fire, hearings were held and a final vote passed five to two; which means as always, Bernie is going to get paid.
But nothing slowed down or stopped during the challenge process; there was no time. Construction of the 3.4 mile Tilke track (with a 130 ft. elevation change), plus the permanent buildings and landscaping and everything else continues on schedule.
As does the enhancement of the track's menu. Full Throttle Productions, Hellmund's promotions company, has also announced a 10-year contract to host MotoGP (including the standard support Moto2 and Moto3 races) plus the Australian V8 Supercar series, both beginning in 2013.
Per the standard entertainment model, the track will feature visitor attractions like driving or riding experiences, a kart track, welcome center and group facilities and a private motorsports club.
What Circuit of the Americas really needs though, and will eventually get, is more big races.
IndyCar is out as long as F1 is on the schedule and yes, SMI wants no competition for its NASCAR Cup, Nationwide or truck dates at Texas Motor Speedway. But the Rolex, ALMS and /or the new FIA World Endurance Championship series will undoubtedly race there eventually.
A fun suggestion seen on a discussion board: A NASCAR 'home track' invitational that would include NASCAR Canada, NASCAR Mexico and the K&N Pro Series entrants. I'm not sure about equipment equivalency but sure, I'd but a ticket to see that kind of race.
For now though, I'm just patiently waiting. From now until next summer I'm optimistic I'll be seeing occasional Circuit of the Americas progress updates and sponsorship announcements but I expect no warning or disaster notices.
I plan on reading about the track passing the various inspections and tests, seeing video features on the SPEED Report and Dave Despain's Wind Tunnel and then witnessing a great F1 race in Austin, Texas next June. In sweltering heat. With completely expected parking and traffic problems which will eventually be fixed.
And American's next F1 era will have begun.
In Austin, Texas of all places.
Read More of Bill Tybur at his website: https://fmfl.net
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