Track Announcement - "Circuit of The Americas" Unveiled

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interludes
That said, if Sergio Perez proves to be pretty successful - and moreso if Esteban Gutirrez gets promoted to Formula 1 in 2012 - then I can see a revived Mexican Grand Prix on the cards funded by someone like Carlos Slim. Elsewhere, Hugo Chavez has talked about a Venezuelan Grand Prix, and there have been noises about resurrecting the Argentine Grand Prix (though for political reasons, it would not be at Potrero de los Funes). If that were to happen, I could see GP2 Asia being replaced by GP2 Americas, with a calendar that took in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, CotA and possibly somewhere in Canada.
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That would be great. Carlos Slim is the richest man in the world. If anyone can get the Mexican Grand Prix revived, it will be him. It would have to be the Mexico city track though. I have mentioned my desire for F1 to go back to that track many times on GTP. As have you a few times. I know the circuit has seen some changes, but I'd like to see it restored. Carlos Slim has the money and the interest. I'm sure Perez would like to race on home soil. Despite people getting carried away after Australia, it's clear he'll be around for a while. He's the most exciting Rookie since Kobayashi IMO.
 
Hermanos Rodriguez isn't a very good circuit. It don't think it could accomodate Formula 1, and even if it could, it would probably need to be completely resurfaced. I can see why it might be more appealing than building a new circuit, but I don't think it could handle the current generation of cars.
 
I followed the news from Speed Center's Facebook fan page. Heard about the whole 10-race deal for F1 starting in 2012. I was most surprised to hear of MotoGP racing at Circuit of the Americas starting in 2013 for a 10-race deal. I feel a little uneasy about MotoGP around the course; maybe because I'm not sure if its layout is very motorcycle-friendly. It is a truly challenging course just looking at its configuration. It reminds me a bit in challenge and scope as Istanbul Park. It has a lot of rhythm-based sections and a super-long backstretch. I'll be very interested seeing proper video laps around the course. That's even if the track seems incomplete (like with the early videos of the Korean International Circuit).

Speaking as a Texas native (especially of Southeast Texas), I'm actually okay with "Circuit of the Americas" as a name for the track considering how cultured southeastern and central Texas are. And as someone mentioned, this is more like the <i>de facto</i> home track for Sergio Perez. Something else I may wonder is... could some of Mexico's racing series (like the NASCAR Corona Series or NASCAR T4) pay a visit to COTA.


COTA is going to be an awesome place for racing. Actual fact- I have NEVER been to Austin. Seeing this track would be VERY cool for a first-timer in Austin. Oh, and... KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD! :D
 
I like the name, very classy (or rather upmarket) and gives a patriotic feel to it. I guess the rationale was similar to the America's Cup and Road America for example.

If you called it the Austin Race Circuit or something it would kinda feel disconnected from the rest of the US, somehow not as grand as the project is aiming to be what with it being purpose built for F1. Looking forward to the race but its such a long way off.

Oh and can the thread title be changed now.

Robin.
 
It's an odd phrase construction for an English name. It's funny because it sounds like a latin-constructed phrase. In fact, it's one of the first things people with a native latin language learn in school about the basic differences in the language structure. While we usually say (example) what literally would be translated as "the dog of Mario", English speakers will simply say "Mario's dog".

(although there are exceptions, of course. The United States of America, as a country, isn't called "America's United States" :lol:

So, "America's Circuit" is "Circuit of the Americas". Apparently, and from what I read, that sounds classy to English speakers. Being totally alien to that kind of linguistic subtlety in a foreign language, I'll only say I wish this circuit a long life, filled with amazing motorsports events. :)
 
Robin.
I like the name, very classy (or rather upmarket) and gives a patriotic feel to it. I guess the rationale was similar to the America's Cup and Road America for example.

If you called it the Austin Race Circuit or something it would kinda feel disconnected from the rest of the US, somehow not as grand as the project is aiming to be what with it being purpose built for F1. Looking forward to the race but its such a long way off.

Oh and can the thread title be changed now.

Robin.
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And so it has :)
 
JohnBM01
I feel a little uneasy about MotoGP around the course; maybe because I'm not sure if its layout is very motorcycle-friendly. It is a truly challenging course just looking at its configuration. It reminds me a bit in challenge and scope as Istanbul Park. It has a lot of rhythm-based sections and a super-long backstretch.
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The SC1 and SC2 sections shown on the map (previous page) cut the back straight down to almost nothing. Could be used for the bikes. 👍
 
Circuit of the Americas...

I'm not convinced. That means (to me) that it is the best cicuit in the Americas, not just the US. And there several fantastic circuits in the US alone. Laguan Seca, Sebring, etc.

And the name sounds quite pretentious and wanker-ish. It must have been decided upon in a commitee, where all ideas were voiced and accepted. Something like, I dunno, Texas Speedway (I know). Seriously, maybe use the suburb of Austin where it's located. That works well for Interlagos (Sao Paulo). Or the Austinring. Or Austin International Raceway. But I guess "Patriotism" runs deep in the US South.

But anything to promote right and left turns on a racetrack...
 
Texas Speedway is already taken by the oval in DFW. I agree though I don't really like the name. The name doesn't mean much thankfully.
 
Austin-F1-Track-Draft-Layout.jpg
 
I actually like the name because it fits there.

Being there a handful of times every year, I love the place, and the personality of Austin fits the name. They boast 2 of the US's largest Music & Arts Festivals, and among the best college athletic programs ever in the University of Texas (admitting that even though I'm a Red Raider at heart). Their football stadium seats just more than the city I live in.

It's the kind of city America should be proud of, continuing to grow. If someone asked me where I wanted to put a brand new F1 circuit, it'd be there.

Of course, I thought it was kinda tacky at first, but it beats the corporate naming that Infineon Raceway and Lowe's Motor Speedway went into; and I think we'll all get used to it and end up calling it something else anyways.
 
I'm still kinda PO'd that California didn't get the call for an F1 race... we already have two world-class circuits in Laguna Seca and Infineon... Austin's a great city and all, but can someone explain how both these were overlooked?

P.S. Hate to be a grammar Nazi, but it's "unveiled".
 
Laguna Seca is far too small to be a legitimate modern F1 course. Their pit buildings are tiny. Infineon, as well as Laguna Seca, is very hilly as well.

If you have been to Austin it should be clear why there's going to be a huge race there. The city is a cultural hub.

Ed Nut
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Hater. Who cares if it looks like a bunch of other courses? It's everyone's favorite part of each of those legendary circuits barring Hungary and Bahrain that's been included in Austin. What's your point? Shanghai and Sepang are also very similar to each other.
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mPWRD
I'm still kinda PO'd that California didn't get the call for an F1 race... we already have two world-class circuits in Laguna Seca and Infineon... Austin's a great city and all, but can someone explain how both these were overlooked?

P.S. Hate to be a grammar Nazi, but it's "unveiled".
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Laguna Seca and Infineon are not up to FIA Formula 1 standards. A lot of changes would need to be made to those tracks if they were to host an F1 race.

Besides, Austin is conveniently located between the East and West coast of the United States.
 
Hun200kmh
It's an odd phrase construction for an English name. It's funny because it sounds like a latin-constructed phrase. In fact, it's one of the first things people with a native latin language learn in school about the basic differences in the language structure. While we usually say (example) what literally would be translated as "the dog of Mario", English speakers will simply say "Mario's dog".

(although there are exceptions, of course. The United States of America, as a country, isn't called "America's United States" :lol:

So, "America's Circuit" is "Circuit of the Americas". Apparently, and from what I read, that sounds classy to English speakers. Being totally alien to that kind of linguistic subtlety in a foreign language, I'll only say I wish this circuit a long life, filled with amazing motorsports events. :)
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To me, "Americas" is a plural, referring to the continents of North and South America. So naming it "Circuit of the Americas" makes it sound grander than "America's Circuit" as it implies a larger significance.
I'm surprised that you are surprised with the inconsistent use of latin and other language structures in English. English is probably one of most complicated languages ever because there is so little strict structure to it. Then it gets worse with regional differences...

To me, it doesn't sound "classy", it sounds terrible. Partly because it sounds a little arrogant and partly because its lazy.
 
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They copied "Road America" and made it Americas, even though there's an interlagos grand prix race. BTW, why was there not an F1 Grand Prix at Road America? Much better than Indy Road Course, yuck.
 
CarolinaBlue704
Laguna Seca and Infineon are not up to FIA Formula 1 standards.
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Laguna Seca and Infineon are both roughly 2.2 miles in length. That would put either of them as the second shortest on the calendar just edging out Monaco. And, cars do tend to be faster on those courses than Monaco, so it would be a bad fit lengthwise too.

And yes, Austin is just in the middle, perfectly situated with the rest of "The Americas" to the south.
 
Road America would have been a great race, imo. Long circuit, elevation change. We bike race therein a big midwest stage race. Cool circuit.
 
taggles
Laguna Seca and Infineon are both roughly 2.2 miles in length. That would put either of them as the second shortest on the calendar just edging out Monaco. And, cars do tend to be faster on those courses than Monaco, so it would be a bad fit lengthwise too.
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It's not the length that would kill any prospect of a race there - it's the gradient and lack of pit and spectator facilities.
 
interludes
They should try and get as many events as they can - ALMS, GT1, NASCAR, WTCC; even GP2 and GP3 if they can somehow manage it - to get as much use out of the circuit as possible. I know V8 Supercars want to push into America if they can.
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NASCAR running there would have depend on what time of year Formula 1 is running in Austin. NASCAR comes to Texas in the spring & in the fall, and a majority of Texans prefer the fall race because it's one of the last rounds.

Does the WTCC even run in the US? Honest question, b/c it always struck me as an European/Asian series.
Rossticles
Texas Speedway is already taken by the oval in DFW. I agree though I don't really like the name. The name doesn't mean much thankfully.
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And by the oval in in College Station. DFW has Texas Motor Speedway, while CS has Texas World Speedway.
 
McLaren
Does the WTCC even run in the US? Honest question, b/c it always struck me as an European/Asian series.
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They don't currently have a race Stateside, but they do have one in Brazil and tried to get another up and running in Argentina (before realising that the Buenos Aires circuit needed a serious upgrade and couldn't be homologated in time for the race). So it's not entirely out of the question.

Mind you, WTCC isn't a particularly good category. DTM, SuperGT and V8 Supercars all leave it for dead; the WTCC just seems boring by comparison because of the low-power cars.
 
Rossticles
Hater. Who cares if it looks like a bunch of other courses? It's everyone's favorite part of each of those legendary circuits barring Hungary and Bahrain that's been included in Austin. What's your point? Shanghai and Sepang are also very similar to each other.
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+1. Most of us could probably take any track and say "this part looks like this circuit" and "that part looks like this track"...
 
Rich S
Road America would have been a great race, imo. Long circuit, elevation change. We bike race therein a big midwest stage race. Cool circuit.
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It would be great, it's also unfortunately in the middle of nowhere(kind of like Brainerd).
 
Hmm... American Super GT? I mean, the FIA will be using this track.
 
Is there much of a market for that? I don't think you could reasonably set a championship up and expect it to hold. You'd probably have to do a few exhibition races from the main game first, to establish the idea in peoples' minds. Get races at Austin, Infineon, Portland, Laguna Seca, Barber and possibly St. Pete as a support race to Indycar. Go to Edmonton Indy and Mosport Park as well. In fact, all of the exhibition races would have to be support events. Maybe make one of them - ideally Austin - as a round of the SuperGT calendar. When you establish the idea, you then set up the championship and maybe have some cross-over between series to get American cars competing in Japan and Japanese cars competing in America.
 
Perhaps a combination of DTM and Super GT cars? They are supposedly going to try and start up a DTM series here and they are going to be unifying the rules so it could work.
 
Actually, they do have American muscle in Super GT, but only for GT300.

But yeah, Super GT and DTM here would rock. Of course, my father would want me to take pictures of him and... need I say it?
 
interludes
the WTCC just seems boring by comparison because of the low-power cars.
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:lol: Thats not the reason the WTCC is boring these days. What does power have to do with anything? DTM leaves it for dead? :lol: Do you watch any of these series?
 
Ardius
:lol: Thats not the reason the WTCC is boring these days. What does power have to do with anything? DTM leaves it for dead? :lol: Do you watch any of these series?
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I do and I like them. If you don't like DTM or SuperGT don't watch them.
 

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