Austin’s F1 track passes safety inspection From the Sept 25, 2012 Austin Statesman Circuit of the Americas passed its final inspection Tuesday with flying colors. Charlie Whiting, race director and safety delegate for Formula One, not only declared the circuit ready for the U.S. Grand Prix in less than two months, he praised the track’s design and workmanship. Whiting said when the Formula One circus does arrives, “I think they’ll all be really stunned ….” On Tuesday morning, Whiting, who inspects all new F1 tracks for FIA — the world governing body for motorsports — walked the entire 3.4-mile circuit with an eye to detail. He checked the track surface, curbs, guardrails and fences — the essentials for race safety. Full article - Austin Statesman
The Grand-Am announcement is good news and confirms earlier speculation. However, I can see why people are pissed off by the equipment announcement. And the article seems to miss that the follow-up "clarification" changed nothing about the policy and leaves all the exclusions as they were in the original announcement. In essence it says the only recording allowed is via still camera with less than a 10-inch lens; no video recording, no audio recording, you can't even bring a tripod for your still camera. Will they enforce the rule? That's another story, I suppose. Austin prohibits equipment but announces Grand Am for 2013 (formula1blog.com)
Track update pics. Main grandstand: Front straight: Turn 1: Looks like Turns 3, 4, 5: Turn 8: Turn 11: A few more pics avail here and here.
The saw-tooth kerbs look interesting - more and more violent shuddering the further the drivers cut them, until they reach a smooth section of paving inside the saw-tooth. It looks like there might be viable way to soften the corners by getting the inside wheel onto that smooth section. That's if the car survives getting there.....
One full lap in a Grand-Am MX-5: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNDipntbRy4]CJ Wilson Racing - Circuit of the Americas - Mazda MX-5 - YouTube[/ame]
They actually got it finished in time! I'm impressed, it sure looks better than Korea and India did for their first year's race. Now we need the sound of those furrin f-1 cars!!!!!:biggrin5:
Interesting, I have two friends from the Denver area working the race in November. I will have to see what they post up and try to share. Looks like someone laid down a track of oil already, that is interesting too. Don
I think it already looks better than Korea did for this year's race, never mind its first. :biggrin5: India is this weekend, we'll see if they've improved that one in a few days.
And here are a few laps with Alex Gurney learning the track (and picking up speed as he goes) in a Grand-Am Daytona Prototype. The camera location sucks, plus from time to time it looks like it's had too much to drink...that is, if a camera could get intoxicated...but it's still worth a look. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT6bYVb0CBk]Red Dragon on Circuit of the Americas - YouTube[/ame]
I got my F1 briefing today along with a bunch of interesting info. Looks like the majority of ticket sold were to Texas residents. Followed by California, New York, then Florida. 15% of tickets sold were to international fans. The vast majority of those international tickets were sold to folks from Mexico. Should be an interesting croud I'm looking forward to it. I'll be spending what spare time I have greeting F1 fans at the Airport here in Austin as they arrive and depart. If you spot a 6ft balding guy with a red beard and bright yellow shirt come say "Hi".
Just noticed a new show on Speed: Building of the Circuit of the Americas, F1s Return to the USA Scheduled Sun, Nov 11, 6p E / 3p P.
I saw one McLaren that was driven by Emerson Fittipaldi in a museum in Curitiba, Pr, Brazil and I couldn't believe myself that was a F1 car of 70's, but it is what it is and those guys were just gifted and brave enough to drive it.
Museu do Automóvel - Jan./02 Destacam-se ainda, uma caleça francesa Rotschil de 1910, clássicos como o LINCOLN Continental 1947, o McLaren M23 (doado pela Philip Morris) com o qual Emerson Fittipaldi sagrou-se campeão mundial de Fórmula 1 em 1974, bicicletas, motocicletas e diversas curiosidades mecânicas. Translating what is in bold above: The Mclaren M23 (donate by Philips Morris) with which Emerson Fittipaldi was F1 champion in 1974. Next time I am going there I make a video and I am sure people are going to believe how primitive those cars were.
Something like this? Both are of Fittipaldi in 1974 with differences in the McLaren due to the more visibly obvious evolution that used to be possible during an F1 season.