Nick Craw (left), the president of the senate, Federation Internationale de L'Automobile, promoter Tavo Hellmund (center) and Tilke architect Peter Wahl with a model of the proposed Formula One track in Austin, Texas. (Jay Janner Photo)
AUSTIN, Texas — America’s highest ranking auto racing official recently toured the site for the proposed Formula One race track, which is scheduled to host the 2012 United States Grand Prix.
Nick Craw, president of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States and Senate president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the world governing body for motorsports, toured the 900-acre site, met with United States Grand Prix team members as well as local, city and state officials and gave the project development plan his approval.
“It will be great,” Craw said of the proposed track. “This has some of the most interesting, exciting and different features, drawn from other successful venues around the world. It is a very strong team they’ve assembled here. I think it’s a very good plan and a very solid business model. They’ve set the bar pretty high.”
Craw’s visit to Austin also included meetings with Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Travis County Judge Samuel T. Biscoe, United States Grand Prix team members and Peter Wahl, managing partner of Tilke GmbH — a leading designer for race tracks and test facilities throughout the world and United States Grand Prix track in Texas.
“We were pleased to have Mr. Craw and Tim Mayer, alternate FIA delegate, visit the facility site and meet the incredible team assembled to build and operate what we believe will be one of the premiere racetracks on the circuit and a world-class venue,” said Tavo Hellmund, chairman of the United States Grand Prix. “Our team is committed to building more than a race track. We are thinking far beyond the expected and are developing an environment that will provide an entertainment experience for both participants and spectators alike.”
“The track design has been developed with the drivers and spectators in mind,” Wahl said. “The drivers want to have high-speed corners; that’s what they like. We want to force them to faults and errors; otherwise, the race is not interesting for the spectator. When we design a racing experience, we must consider both points of view to have a truly successful event.”
The surrounding landscape of the 3.4-mile circuit will allow for maximum elevation changes and a combination of more than 20 turns. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to hold up to 120,000 fans. The conceptual master plan features additional visitor attractions, including a proposed driving/riding experience and seminar building, motorsports driving club, kart track and welcome center.
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