Formula 1 coming to Austin, Baby!

It's another beautiful spring day in Austin, Texas, if you don't mind all the flying dirt!!

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In the back right of this photo is the hill where Turn 1 will be.

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I took this photo this morning. That hill in the background is where T1 will be. I stand by my prediction from months ago -- that this, along with turns like Eau Rouge and others, will be one of the most talked about and photographed turns in the world.

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Just FYI, if any of y'all have been wanting to see "Senna", the documentary about the late Ayrton Senna, SXSW picked it up. The film won the Sundance Film Festival's World Documentary Award earlier this year.

The Paramount sold all it's advance tickets to the first SXSW screening of "Senna" on 3/12, but tickets still remain for the 2nd on 3/17...

The Link

I've been told already by the film's director, Asif Kapadia, that there will be a U.S. release later this year, and if the film does well enough during these screenings, we'll get a run here in Austin as well.

The sellout of Senna's first screening was the first sellout this year by any film at SXSW.

Let's sell the 2nd out, too.
 
Anyone looking for the F1Racing magazine story about the Austin circuit? I was. It took me several trips to Austin stores where they were sold out of all issues before I found it. People calling ahead to reserve them, then buying multiple copies.

Now here it is, courtesy of formula1unitedstates.com:


The Link


Enjoy
 
Two good articles about Austin's F1 construction are up now on the SPEED TV F1 page.



"FORMULA ONE - F1: A track grows in Austin"

The Link , and



"FORMULA ONE - F1: For Austin, Race Would Be Yet Another Attraction"

The Link



Also remember you can catch updated construction photos, video, and many more breaking Austin F1 news stories like the ones above just by stopping by Facebook and checking out "Friends of Formula 1 Austin Texas".

The Link .
 
As announced on SPEED, there will be an "important" announcement concerning the USGP on Tuesday. The announcement will be at 2pm Tuesday afternoon and can be viewed/heard atThe Link SPEEDtv evidently will air the announcement via tape at 7pm Tuesday night.

Sounds like either a sponsor announcement (race or track) or a major new investor in the project.
 
I was guessing the major announcement on Tuesday from Austin might be the date of the 2012 F1 race (just speculating, I have no knowledge of that).
 
Thanks Mandingo. I agree it could the the announcement of the race date, but I doubt if that would be the cause of all of the SPEED involvement. Since they are the US TV rights holders, their place as the host telecaster is set.
 
Hi again guys...

I just received a call for another show of support from all of us! Right now is a very good and very important time to let members of the Texas Legislature know just how much support there is throughout the U.S. and the world for the Austin F1 racing facility, so please email the following legislators at these addresses:

Senator Kirk Watson

[email protected]



Senator Steve Ogden

[email protected]



Representative Eddie Rodriguez

[email protected]



Representative Jim Pitts

[email protected]



You may use the following email template letter or, better yet, explain to them in your own words why and how you're going to be supporting Formula 1 racing and the USGP in Austin, Texas. Mentioning things like how far you're traveling, how much money you're spending, and how many of you are attending the races could never hurt! You may also use a combination of the two if you like, but please send some variation of the following and be sure to pass this on to other fans, supporters, family, and friends. Thanks everyone! Your help is appreciated very much!:

"Dear Senator Watson and Representative Rodriguez,

As a strong advocate for bringing the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ to Austin , Texas , I urge you to support this important project for all Texans. Formula 1 racing is the most-watched annual television sport in the world, providing an opportunity for Texas to be seen by millions of viewers in more than 180 countries.

The 1,000-acre project, which will host the Grand Prix, is currently one of the highest-profile construction projects in the State of Texas . Construction of the facility is estimated to cost between $250 million to $300 million. Located only five minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from downtown Austin , this facility will be a hot spot for business, education and entertainment.

The potential economic impacts created by this facility for Texas are enormous.

· The F1 event, alone, is projected to generate more than $300 million annually for the state.
· In a down economy, the F1 project is creating more than 1,100 construction-related jobs for Texans;
· Construction totals are expected to exceed $300 million, providing revenue to numerous Texas-based companies with thousands of Texas employees;
· The facility is being built to attract and accommodate year-round uses that will generate millions of dollars of additional revenue for the state. Examples of uses beyond race weekend include:

o Conference facilities and executive meeting suites;

o Trauma and medical care training facility; and

o Law enforcement training opportunities.

· The facility is also intended to serve as an incubator for new, cutting-edge technologies and is already serving as a catalyst for companies wanting to relocate to Texas to be associated with the project.
· Its potential for educational-sector opportunities in our state is already apparent, with curriculum partnerships being planned between F1 and Del Valle ISD, Texas A&M University , St. Edward’s University, Huston- Tillotson University and the University of Texas .

We need your support. The jobs, educational opportunities and the economic impact it will create for our state depend on it.



cc: Senator Ogden

Representative Pitts"
 
So is not being the educational partner with this project good or bad for UT? I don't realy know what they mean yet by that but I'm a litlte dissapointed we let that chance slip away.
 
This is off the subject, but it is about cars. Have any of you ordered a Boss 302 Mustang or know anyone that has? I'd like to communicate with that person on or off-line.

Thanks.
 
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