2012 Formula 1 USGP in Austin – Finally Here!

It’s here & happening now:

2012 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix!

Austin Events Calendars for 2012 Formula 1 USGP Racing

To learn what it took to get here, I offer the following review…

The Formula 1 spectacle has arrived back in the USA.  Round 19 of the 2012 F1 season takes place just a few miles south of the Austin, Texas airport.  The formation & creation of the Circuit of The Americas (aka, CoTA), has been a long time in coming.  We at Racing Ready, & many others, have known about it for 2 & 1/2 years.  But the initial gestation period started much longer ago, thanks to Tavo Hellmund.  Today, you no longer see his name officially associated with CoTA.  But the idea & desire behind it all started with Tavo.

Starting in May 2010, the public was made aware.  The concept of a Formula 1-spec track was proposed to be built in southeast Travis County, where Austin, the Capital of Texas is situated.  Things started to move quickly, but not exactly smoothly:

• Proof of grading plans drawings
• Initial track design announced
• Ground breaking – it’s for real!
• Red Bull at Capital & on CoTA dirt track, with David Coulthard
• Turmoil of founding partners & track future in question
• Bernie’s final blessing – The race is on!
• V8 Supercars racer can’t wait
• Mario Andretti, CoTA Ambassador, gets it!
• World Champion Bob Bondurant Visits CoTA
• The christening of the track
• Formula Run, the first race at CoTA

Here’s what Jenson Button, F1 driver on Team McLaren, said in expectation:

You can see elements of the Maggotts/Becketts complex from Silverstone; there’s a reverse of Istanbul Park’s Turn Eight, too; and I can even see a bit of the Hockenheim infield.

I think we’re in for a fantastic weekend – I really cannot wait to get out to Austin and see the city, the people and the track. I think it’s going to be brilliant.

See these 2 track comparison illustrations for you to appreciate:

&

This is a historic event in American Motorsports.  Much will continue to be written, but now enjoy the racing.  To all visitors, both here at Racing Ready & in Austin, Texas, we are SO pleased you took the time to visit.  We look forward to your return.

GO RACE & THANK YOU!

Dan

P.S. – For in-depth reading, off track, review this: F1 Racing Grand Prix Fan Guide.  Be advised, it’s 109 pages (!), Courtesy of the Austin America-Statesman.

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