An American motor racing club circuit in upstate New York has emerged as the latest potential venue to become the next home of the US Grand Prix. American publication AutoWeek reports that Monticello Motor Club – which is 90 minutes from Manhattan and sits at the foot of the Catskill Mountains – has held preliminary talks with Bernie Ecclestone over a 10-year deal to stage a revived US round and that F1's track designer Hermann Tilke has already visited the venue.
It has published a leaked letter from club president Ari Strauss to the private members of the circuit in which Strauss confirms Tilke had given the thumbs-up to the venue as a suitable grand prix circuit, pending some redevelopment work, and that the track was in the process of securing support from the various levels of government. "A few months ago, [MMC chairman] Bill McMichael and I met with Bernie Ecclestone, President/CEO of Formula One Management (FOM), and discussed the terms for an exclusive 10-year United States Grand Prix to be hosted at MMC," AutoWeek quotes the letter as saying.
"Shortly thereafter, Hermann Tilke, the chief engineer and circuit designer for F1, spent time at MMC and confirmed that our track and surrounding properties, with some expansion and minor track modifications, is an excellent location for a Grand Prix. "Since receiving a letter of understanding from FOM confirming their hope to bring the U.S. Grand Prix to Monticello, Bill and I have continued to secure the backing and support of local, state, and federal politicians and organisations."
The Monticello talks come just weeks after a bid to take F1 to Jersey City was scuppered almost even before it had seriously begun after the local mayor declined to back a proposal put together by the local tourism agency for a race through Liberty State Park. With Ecclestone believed to be assessing other venues for the sport's seemingly imminent US return, Strauss stressed to its members that an F1 deal was far from certain while assuring them that they remained committed to their interests.
"Securing F1 is like winning the Olympics, competition is fierce, and this is not a done deal," he said. "While the prospect of F1 at MMC is exciting, we remain focused on our core business: the club and its members." The Monticello circuit was opened in 2008 and offers 200 track days per year to members between April and November, claiming on its website to be a "beautiful, convenient, luxurious and an enchanting place to satisfy your motoring desires".
Designed by former British F1 driver and sportscar legend Brian Redman, the main 22-corner track layout stretches to 4.1 miles but there are also 12 distinct configurations. The track can also claim to be the closest motor racing venue to New York City.
I'll believe it when I see it.
US Grand Prix returns to F1 in 2012
The United States Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2012 after a deal was struck for a race to be held in Austin, Texas.
Following weeks of speculation about the potential return of a race in America, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone announced on Tuesday night that the event will take place from 2012 to 2021 on a new purpose-built facility in Austin.
Ecclestone said: "For the first time in the history of Formula 1 in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event.
"It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success.
"Since then, F1 has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval.
"Lewis Hamilton won the last F1 United States Grand Prix in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for F1 in the US."
The deal with Ecclestone has been put together by promoters Full Throttle Productions, and its managing partner Tavo Hellmund.
Speaking about the deal, which comes after speculation of events in New Jersey and New York State, Hellmund said: "This is a case of the right timing in the right place. As many Americans know, Austin has earned a reputation as one of the 'it' cities in the United States.
"We are extremely honoured and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights Holder. We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States. All parties involved have a great amount of trust and confidence in each other and are committed to establishing the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas as a prestigious global event."
No details have yet emerged about the track layout, or whereabouts in Austin the venue will be built.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83873
Mixed news. I'm glad the U.S. will (time will tell) have a venue.
I'm also glad it will be a dedicated track. The Texas economy is one of the brightspots in the overall U.S. economy and the housing market (those that have jobs) is stable. I'd have like to have seen a more western venue, but circumstances (overall economy, land prices, costs to cover the event, central location) seem to be best met in Texas.
Who will design the course?
Not where I expected F1 to land, but works out well for me. I have family in the area I really need to visit. Once a year. Starting in 2012 :)
I suspect Texas's willingness to lay down concrete and asphalt was a big advantage with their bid. Up where I am a new lane on an existing road is a 20 year court battle.
Quote from: Stephen M on May 25, 2010, 10:13:16 PM
. Up where I am a new lane on an existing road is a 20 year court battle.
Not any different from where I'm from. A piece of motorway designed 30 years ago is still not in place...
Quote from: Stephen M on May 25, 2010, 10:13:16 PM
Not where I expected F1 to land, but works out well for me. I have family in the area I really need to visit. Once a year. Starting in 2012 :)
We are all invited????
Mixed news at best. All will depend on the design of the track. If Tilke gets the job, it will be another boring POS track with the soul of an amoeba. :lmao:
I'm taking a wait and see attitude on this one.......... :-\
Right on cue:
Tilke to design new Austin circuit
By Jonathan Noble Thursday, May 27th 2010, 07:55 GMT
The new Austin Formula 1 track, which will host the American Grand Prix from 2012, is to be designed by Hermann Tilke, race organisers have announced.
Shortly after revealing its 10-year deal to hold the US event, Austin race promoters Full Throttle Productions have now earmarked a site for the circuit and confirmed that Tilke will be involved.
The exact location of the venue has not been disclosed, but Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of Full Throttle Productions, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press that its was 'more than 700 acres.'
Hellmund also ended speculation about who would design the track by confirming that F1 regular Tilke, the man behind track designs at Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Shanghai, and Sepang, will be involved.
Race promoters said the track would be "one of the finest permanent road course facilities in the world. Fans should expect the craftsmanship Tilke is famous for, with a priority placed on green building and a track similar to the great grand prix tracks of previous generations."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83891
Quotea track similar to the great grand prix tracks of previous generations
T'would be nice if it happens. But I am highly doubtful it will be any different than any of his other efforts, which, taken collectively, are probably some of the worst race tracks ever in terms of enabling great racing. :'(
Here are my thoughts on all this: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-21840-New-England-Automotive-Examiner~y2010m5d27-Formula-One-to-return-to-US-in-2012
But at least the Black Eyed Peas and Mick Jagger will be there! ::)
Follow the money...WTF?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqgoIgJp7pM&playnext_from=TL&videos=-eOtUVGeTr8