Formula 1 coming to Austin, Baby!

It was a busy day. The placement of the course on the eastern part also makes sense if you consider that leaves the part closest to 130 for the Building Complex and (most probably) a hotel or two. Very thoughtful placement.

Mandingo, I would think three permanent grandstands. That leaves plenty of GA and VIP/Hospitality space. The VIP/Hospitality areas are where the big bucks will be had.

Also, 50k or so seats will look better on TV for the non-F1 events. Nothing looks worse than section after section of vacant seats around a race track. Look no further than TMS where there can be 75k people for an Indy Car race and the place looks empty.

Finally, MotorSport Magazine has a good piece on F1 in the US and very kind words for the Dallas Grand Prix. ( Link ) You might have to register for the website, but it is free.
 
Interesting article on the Link. The article not only explains the situation with the new Korean track, but it also explains the new track deadlines that the Austin track faces. Link

Also, Oklahoma City has just burned their bridge with ALMS. Link
Tavo should be jumping all over this for a late afternoon/night race (ALMS races in the dark) on 04 July 2012 followed by a fireworks show.
 
Austin circuit unveiled!


The Link



20057573_622158_530233c.jpg


Wow...if this is oriented the way I think it might be, then both turn 1 and the last short straight leading to the back hairpin will be uphill...turn 1 may be steep. Also, as I said before -- if this is laid out the way I suspect -- the viewing from the natural viewing areas will be spectacular.

There's an homage to Silverstone's/Suzuka's S's, and a righthanded version of Istanbul's Turn 8.
I'm gonna go ahead and name this turn "El Ocho Derecho" ...or maybe "El Diablo Derecho".



Notice the rv parking along the back stretch. Smart way to get American rv fans out there.
 
...and this elevation layout just confirms my suspicion about the orientation of the track.

6125.jpg


Looks amazing to me. The viewing areas will be incredible.
 
Badexcuse, I'm no expert...just a fireman...but to me this looks fantastic.

First, the track.

Turn 1 is off the charts good. I don't know which will be best, the view from the bottom looking up, the view from the top looking down, or the view from the side. No doubt this turn will be photographed from all angles and will be one of the most "shot" turns in all of F1 and racing in general.

The Silverstone/Suzuka esses look very difficult and all very different. Cap them off with what could be a very tricky left-handed crest over the hill before the straight leading to the second hairpin, and that's some daunting complex.

Then the 3/4 mile humpy/bumpy downhill backstraight should leave everyone straining for every bit of top end speed they can get, trying to get turn 11 just right and searching for the perfect aero balance between downforce and slipperiness to make it all work.

The Hockenheim Stadium section will be tricky, because you'll want to exit with plenty of speed going into El Ocho Derecho, the right-handed version of Istanbul's Turn 8.

I see lots of high-speed corners with good passing areas at turns 1, 11, 12, and 20, with potentially even 13 and 15 working their way in there as well.

The viewing areas will be nothing short of spectacular, with huge portions of the track visible from the hill between turns 15-19, and from the hillsides along the eastern edge of the track -- the outsides of turns 2-11.

All in all I'm blown away. What do you think?
 
Ok, now that we have a 3d layout, someone needs to do an rFactor version of the track. Don't worry about scenery, just get the layout right so that we can (sort of) drive this track in a few weeks. I'd do it if I had any ability or knowledge about creating those things.
 
I want to see that sucker outlined on google earth. So how does the non-grandstand seating work on these races? They clear hillside land or what. Are people allowed in the infield or just outside the track?
 
If the main straight runs parallel to fm 812 up the ridge by the piland triangle, wouldn't the "silverstone complex" run along the edge of the elevation change, meaning some off camber which silverstone definitely doesn't have? I'm envisioning some high elevation seating areas along that that may allow viewing to the back stretch?

Is the change that significant, that you could potentially see over the turn 3,4,5 complex down to turn 12-18?
 
Here is a drawing that shows the elevation changes: Link (Click on drawing for a larger view.)

I would have preferred inclusion of one of the Spa or Monza corners rather than the Hockenheimring stadium complex, but hey, I would watch them racing on dirt roads!
 
Well then, I'm gonna have to figure out the fastest way from the RV parking to the elevated areas. Trust me, I will stay tuned to further updates...
 
Drove out again today to look around. You'll be able to see turn 1 all the way from 130. It's so sweet.

There are at least 3 new construction entrances already in place. Like I said earlier I'm thinking the December start date may be a worst case scenario.

Also, regarding getting around at the track, remember, this rellease was merely a rough draft. Later releases will be finalized with a tremendous amount more detail, including all access paths and footbridges across the track, etc.

This has me thinking about renting an RV as well. I could totally see making a Wednesday through Sunday event out of the thing.
 
Mandingo, take me with you one of these next times you go check it out. We'll grab some cue or something. I am still wrapping my head around all of this and envisioning the cars going up the hills, accelerating down them, hitting the straights, battling for position and the scream of the engines. The 3d is a great addition to the imagery.

They need to have a bus racing series. Okay, they don't. I am just excited and taking in every word y'all type so I can learn about this track.
 
Been workin' on a little somethin' y'all might like.

When the "Draft Track Layout" came out, I figured there would be some telltale sign on it somewhere that would give away a lot of location and orientation info. It's there. There's a subtle reference in the bottom middle of the page to an angled corner of the property. This matches perfectly with the angled property line at the northeast corner of Piland Triangle. Just pretend the bottom edge of the Draft Track Layout is 812/Piland Triangle. Working from there, it's not too hard to come up with this once you get the scales to match. When you do, you start to see what a beautiful thing it's all going to be.

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I highlighted the 2 property lines that make that angle, plus another that runs northeast from there. I also have noted a 500' elevation line which the front straight crosses, and I outlined the 553' hill surrounded by T15-19...one of the best features of this venue, imho.

I doubt this is perfect, but judging from the way T3-9 fit with the hills and the pond, and the way T15-19 encircle hill 553, I doubt it's far off, either.

:geek:


Enjoy.
 
Looks good to me Mandingo. The front straight fits perfectly, the rest is difficult without the real scale.

Good Job!
 
Hey, thanks. Appreciate that...it's to scale, or as close as I can get it at least.


Had another thought tonight. A lot of people have complained about the Hockenheim stadium section complex in this layout.

I was looking at this tonight and did a little measuring, and something occurred to me.

Remember when Tavo originally said a few times that the track length was 3.2 miles, but the design had to be approved by the FIA? If I had to bet, I'd say it went down something like this...The original design that went to the FIA didn't have that complex, or it had something the FIA didn't like. So to mollify the FIA, Tilke and Tavo were forced to insert something there that they would accept.

This theory is consistent with measurements I took on the Draft Track Layout. Between v3.2 and v3.4, 0.2 miles of track were added (obviously). I think this may be where they added it.

Remember also that the layout released is a "draft" and may or may not be the same as the final draft. The Hockenheim series of turns may be there, or may be something different in the end.
 
Interesting and the draft most likely got sent back just because they can. It is looking like a good track and it will be exciting. They will have turbo's the year after the inaugural, right? I like the elevations and the proximity to turns. I love y'alls posts more.
 
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