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Finally, some long awaited US Grand Prix Austin Formula 1 information we can really sink our teeth into.
It’s here – the 3D, Tilke computer design of the track layout Click the image below for a detailed PDF…
Tavo Hellmund provided some general PR quotes today in announcing the US Grand Prix Austin Formula 1 track layout & design:
In the modern era of Grand Prix racing, I think this track layout and topography will be very special. It will have many of the elements of previous ‘classic’ circuits combined with the benefits of FIA-mandated safety for the competitors and spectators alike. Add in the amenities fans have come to expect, like rare, multiple-turn viewing opportunities for added value, and you have an ideal, world-class venue.
For the competitors, we’ll have all the ingredients necessary. You’ll see fast turns that require commitment from the drivers and technical turns that will test the engineers from a set-up point of view. We have a good deal of elevation to make it not only scenic but challenging also, and the view of downtown Austin is wonderful as well.
Here’s some good, hard & fast track specifications:
Taking advantage of the local topography, the track will have 133′ of elevations changes
The track length will be 3.4 miles, & can be divided into 2 separate tracks for different events
Top speed is calculated to be up to 200mph
There will be 20 turns, of every variety, with both uphill & downhill approaches
The track is designed to run counter-clockwise
And finally, something to counter some of the monotony of current F1 races: three “ideal” overtaking places…it would be great to see some real passing in the Formula 1 series again!
We shall see…! Here’s a “10,000 foot view” rendering to give us a general idea of some more details of the layout. Click on the image below & you’ll be directed to a much higher quality, detailed PDF image! You will even be able to see the correct line through the corners…
Racing Ready is pleased to see these details finally revealed. It has been stated that the graders should start breaking ground this coming December. I think a series of pilgrimages should be organized & started up. Who’s up for a road trip?
Here’s a few more details about the preparations for the Austin Formula 1 track & design. Final details are still pending…
The proposed circuit will be located 20 miles from Austin on 900 acres of land. Tavo Hellmund said recently that the layout will feature 20 corners spread over 3.2 miles of the “natural terrain road course.”
U.S. Grand Prix promoter Tavo Hellmund says that his yet-to-be constructed racetrack near Austin will accommodate up to 130,000 to 140,000 fans. “It will be the biggest thing Austin has ever had,” Hellmund said. He claimed that the track’s grandstands might accommodate 50,000 fans, while the rest of the attendees could enjoy the race from various open spaces around the facility.
Exactly when the race will take place remains unknown, but Hellmund assured his audience that it will not be held in the scorching-hot months of July or August.
Tavo revealed that the track will feature “four real passing zones.”
As for the track’s construction time line–work is planned to begin in December–Peter Wahl, a director of the Hermann Tilke-owned circuit-design company, said that the project is doable in time for a race in 2012. “[The time issue] does not frighten us,” he said.
Racing Ready is waiting, as is the rest of racing fan community, for more details. We’ll do our best to keep you in the loop!
The author goes through the following categories of amateur racing:
Autocross
Road Rally
Rallycross
Drag Racing
Karting
Racing Ready has had some involvement in 3 of these categories, most especially in autocross. There is little to no involvement of Road Rally nor Rallycross amateur racing in my local region, although my racing buddies talk about wanting to find a venue for these types of events.
On Sunday, August 8th, 2010, SASCA had their 8th Autocross Event of the year. It was good & hot, as would be expected for South Texas in the summer. There were 71 registered competitors with official times. Craig was the Eventmaster, for the 2nd month in a row. He put together a very challenging course, with good input from others.
This time, we even got the “luxury” of “painted lines of baking flour, to help delineate the course flow. It was interesting & different, sometimes helpful & at times a slight distraction. Overall, though the lines added a cool touch to the course! See the sweeper turn, before the finish, pictured below:
This course was primarily counter-clockwise with times in the 40 to 50 second range, more or less. There were some challenging sections of the course that I could not get a good line through a corner. We all had 7 runs at the course, 4 in the morning & after lunch, 3 in the afternoon. My times were not at all consistent. My best to my worst only varied within just under 3 seconds. (Click to enlarge)
Here’s a more complete graphic of the course as Craig designed it, on paper. It did vary somewhat in reality – it ALWAYS does. I know, having been an Eventmaster in the past…
The area that almost always got me was that errant cone that always seemed to be in the wrong place every time I tried to make a good, clean run. I was consistently stymied. I did do 3 course walk-throughs in the morning & even had Kevin, the Novice Orientation Chief, do a ride-along with me. This was to try to help me get a better handle on the line & technique of this course. Basically, Kevin told me that I was about right for most of the course, but that entry for that 1st tight hairpin corner needed to be taken differently, & I needed to brake earlier.
Below is how I approached it:
Below was a better way to take the corner, but I always seemed to come in too hot – too much speed & braking too late.
If just maybe I had a couple of other runs… I should have remembered the racer’s axion:
Slow in = Fast out!
Oh well, there will be time to learn more at next month’s SASCA autocross, on September 26, 2010. Racing Ready & Karlino both plan to be there.
Reserve that date – it should be cooler. Hope to see you challenge yourselves as well!
A week ago last Saturday (July 24, 2010) was a landmark opportunity for the tuner motorsport enthusiast community in Austin, Texas & the surrounding region. COBB Tuning had its Open House to officially open their shop (it’s much more than that, it’s their corporate headquarters, at 2311 W. Rundleberg, Suite 500, Austin, TX 78758). Subaru & Mazdaspeed, Mitsubishi & Nissan fans around the world rejoiced.
COBB Tuning has been at it since the late 1990′s, starting with the modification of enhanced breathing of Subarus for better performance. Today, years later, they offer an extensive line of improved performance, go fast parts that they have designed & engineered in house. These parts are in the following general categories:
enhanced intake products, including ECU tuning devices -- to obtain better engine breathing for greater horsepower
performance turbocharger flow pipe products -- to better allow a turbocharger to more efficiently do its duty
no compromise suspension packages -- to allow for better, more controlled handling
downpipe/test pipe exhaust tubing -- to gain more horsepower for a smoother, quicker exhaust
double adjustable short throw shifter -- to speed the task of getting through the gears
…and more…
Starting in the Dallas area, they later moved to Salt Lake City. I queried CEO & Founder, Trey Cobb, about this. He said they found that being located in that part of Utah was advantageous to COBB Tuning for a number of reasons. Initially it was the availability of companies who could develop & manufacture a small runs of specifically designed parts. He said that this was not an option in the Dallas area. Also, Trey said, being only a 10 hour drive from the car enthusiast press in California was very helpful & great timing for having articles & reviews be written up in the performance enthusiasts magazines. This also assisted them as they continued to come up with more performance-related parts & solutions. They were out in SLC for about 7 years. In addition, they have a shop in Portland, OR & still maintain a presence for customer cars racing in California. This is to keep up these racing cars that use a significant number of COBB Tuning parts & technology. Here’s more & an 8+ minute video to review:
When I asked Trey why they moved back to Texas in Austin, he explained that more of their work is in the technology arena. He said it now made better sense to be within the tech business community. He said it’s good to be back in Texas. He joked that some of the employees that came back with him from Utah are having a hard time adjusting to the hot Texas summer…oh well.
There was some pretty cool technology on display, as well. Below is a prototype manufacturing workstation. What they do is create a part in 3-D in a CAD/CAM computer program. Then they “print” this part in 3-D & then coat it with a special plastic for durability. In this way they can make up a one-off part & test it on the street in the same day. They don’t have to source this to an outside facility. How cool & efficient is that!
The COBB Tuning facility is in NW Austin, in a business park section of town, where there are located many small business & warehouse/manufacturing companies (). The facilities are state of the art, occupying 16,000 square feet. There are a number of different areas & most all were available to see & hear described about during their Open House. They have a sales office up front, a research & development office space (their skunk-works was off limits due to the proprietary nature of some project they are working on).
In addition, there are a couple of huge warehouses with a few garage bays & a cool 2-axle dynamometer. They have this to be able to test & measure the power output of both 2 wheel & all-wheel drive customers’ cars.
In addition to the new facilities, they conducted an informal car show in their parking lot. There was an interesting assortment of modified Subarus, Mazdaspeeds, a couple of Miatas & an assortment of other modified daily drivers along with their proud car owners. This emphasized the core client base of COBB Tuning, the street enthusiast driver. Here are some Austinites show off their COBB Tuned rides.
One specific car, in particular was significant: a 1983 Nissan Skyline & it was for sale! This was a Japanese market only sports car that has always has a great reputation. This was the first time I had seen one in person. Being from the Japanese market, it was right hand drive. Here are some pix to make you drool:
Racing Ready felt it was important to travel the 90+ miles from home base to learn about COBB Tuning. It was a good visit & there was a lot to learn. Go COBB Tuning! We wish you continued success & influence in your specialized field.
I hadn’t been to a San Antonio Coffee & Rides event in a few months. It’s grown! Besides some familiar faces & rides, I saw many more cars. This time the lot looked almost full. I estimated close to 150 cars! What a great turnout! (Click to enlarge for detail…)
Here’s some random pix I took this morning, in no particular order…enjoy!
Here’s another general overview of the lot full of cars…at Panera’s.
One of our newest SASCA autocrossers, Leora, was there showing her 1998 Corvette (she runs it both an autocrosser & show car)!
Here are some specific details about what has gone into “Lady Le”, the Corvette, that is!
Here’s a vintage Austin Healey 3000 that helped to start enthusiasts’ interest in sports cars, about 60 years ago…
There was some good quality, vintage American Iron – check out this sweet Chvey Chevelle…
And of course, Racing Ready was there, promoting the blog & the AMSOIL business. Karlino helped in a laid back sort of way!
Hope to see you all out there next month. It should be on Saturday, August 28th, in the Panera’s parking lot, near the intersection of Blanco & 1604, outside the loop! People start showing up after 8am…
