AUSTIN, Texas — February 13, 2012— Circuit of The Americas is the newest member of the Green Sports Alliance, a non-profit organization made up of more than 40 professional and collegiate sports teams and nearly 90 sports venues with a mission to help sports teams, venues and leagues enhance their environmental performance. Circuit of The Americas will be the first Formula One™ racing facility to become a member of the Alliance.
“Circuit of The Americas and the City of Austin have taken a bold stand with their sustainability plan for the sports and entertainment complex,” said Martin Tull, executive director of the Green Sports Alliance. “We welcome Circuit of The Americas into the Alliance and look forward to working with them.”
The Green Sports Alliance is a unique coalition of sports teams and venues, professional sport leagues, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other environmental and green building experts.
“I applaud the Circuit’s commitment to setting a standard for sustainability in North American motorsports,” said Lucia Athens, chief sustainability officer for the City of Austin. “Joining forces with the Green Sports Alliance will increase their green horsepower and put Austin on the map yet again for its leadership and innovation. The Green Sports Alliance has been providing expert technical assistance to many of the sports leagues, and can now assist motorsports in achieving greener results.”
Members in the Green Sports Alliance share best practices to improve the environmental performance of their venues, saving millions of dollars through energy and water conservation, waste reduction, recycling and composting. By tracking environmental performance, sports facilities learn how they compare to their counterparts and how to maximize sustainability efforts. Alliance members have reported reductions as high as 30 percent in energy usage, 60 percent in natural gas use and more than 20 percent in water use.
“We are excited to be collaborating with the best minds in sustainable facility management,” said Edgar Farrera, sustainability director at Circuit of The Americas. “We look forward to developing new approaches to environmentally sustainable operations at our facility and sharing what we learn with organizations and companies around the world.”
About the Green Sports Alliance
The Green Sports Alliance is a non-profit organization with a mission to help sports teams, venues and leagues enhance their environmental performance. Less than a year since its public launch, the Alliance is made up of representatives from over 40 teams from 13 leagues and 90 sports venues, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Protection Agency, Bonneville Environmental Foundation and many other organizations.
Its second annual conference, the Green Sports Alliance Summit, will be held on Sept. 5-7, 2012 and will bring together hundreds of facility operators, team executives, league officials,
environmental experts and corporate partners to discuss innovations in environmental performance.
For more information about the Green Sports Alliance visit: www.greensportsalliance.org.
About Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas will be a world-class destination for performance, education and business. It will be the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for any and all classes of racing, from motor power to human power, and be the U.S. home to the 2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX™ Nov. 16-18 and V8 SUPERCARS.
The Circuit of The Americas’ master plan features a variety of permanent structures designed for business, education, entertainment and race use. Its signature element will be a 3.4-mile circuit track with capacity for 120,000 fans. Other support buildings will include a medical facility, a conference center, a banquet hall as well as an expansive outdoor live music space. Future proposed amenities include a driving/riding experience, a motorsports driving club, kart track, grand plaza event center and tower, and a trackside recreational vehicle park.

The second US race on the 2013 formula one calendar could be called the American grand prix, it has emerged.
The sport and New Jersey are expected to jointly announce on Tuesday that a street race on the Hudson River, with New York’s famous Manhattan skyline in the background, will take place.

The Associated Press cited an unnamed official as revealing that the tentative name for the event is the ‘grand prix of America’.

That is because the more familiar United States grand prix title is already assigned to the 2012 event scheduled to take place on a bespoke circuit in Austin, Texas.

“It (the news) is incredible,” said West New York mayor Felix Roque, according to the BBC. “This is going to be an economic boom for this whole region.”

The US has been absent from the F1 calendar since Lewis Hamilton won the last race at Indianapolis in 2007.

F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has long hoped to bring the world’s most lucrative motor sports championship to the New York City area and that will be realised as a deal was reached with a consortium of investors and city and state governments.

Formula One will unveil a New Jersey Grand Prix for the 2013 season, the mayor of West New York told Reuters on Monday.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie will announce the deal at a press conference in Weehawken, New Jersey, on Tuesday.

“This is going to be an economic boom for this whole region. While political and public servants talk about creating jobs, the governor has put the pedal to the metal and delivered,” West New York mayor Felix Roque told Reuters.

“This is the top of the line in motor racing, it’s incredible.”

The race will run along the Hudson River in Weehawken and West New York, according to Joe DeMarco, an attorney with West New York.

“It will provide a very challenging course – they compare it to Spa in Belgium, but will have the feel of Monaco,” said DeMarco, who added that the race will take place on a four-lane highway, two lanes in each direction.

The proposed course should offer easy access to New York city residents and visitors staying in central hotels.

DeMarco said that it was hoped the event would become a long-term part of the global F1 calendar.

“It has been contemplated to at least run for ten years but there are options and so on depending on the success of it,” said DeMarco. “Hopefully it will be a long term event, embraced by residents and the community.”

The US returns to the Formula One calendar next year with a stop in Austin, Texas, but the New Jersey race will provide a cost-effective way to twin the event with the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

F1 had previously held races in the state of New York at the track at Watkins Glen in Schuyler County, some 250 miles from New York City.

Watkins Glen International held the United States Grand Prix from 1961 to 1980 while F1 races have also been held at Long Beach in California, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix and Indianapolis.

The last F1 race in the US was held at Indianapolis in 2007 and was won by British McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton.

Organisers of the 2012 United States grand prix have submitted plans for the bespoke circuit outside of Austin with F1′s governing FIA.

The lodging is earlier than expected, with the body’s Circuit Commission not scheduled to meet until February.

“Our early submission is a true indicator of our ability to meet our slated opening in 2012,” said promoter Tavo Hellmund.

FIA senate president Nick Craw met with Hermann Tilke official Peter Wahl and Hellmund in October, and according to the Austin American Statesman newspaper said: “I have a very high degree of confidence that they’ll bless it (the plan).”

Added Hellmund: “Tilke has done this a million times so they know what is needed. It’s all the civil engineering. It’s a big book, a massive document.

“It’s a blueprint for what the track is going to look like with all the cross-grading and everything,” he explained.

The submission of the plans sets in motion the process for the circuit’s mandatory homologation.

“We look forward to approval and positive feedback from the FIA Circuit Commission, which will meet in February to review our submission,” said Hellmund.

New information casts doubt upon whether organisers of the 2012 United States grand prix can prepare the Austin site in time for its inaugural race date.

Construction is set to begin in December, but an official document – obtained by the Austin Business Journal – shows that the expected build time for the bespoke circuit east of the Austin-Bergstrom international airport is 24 months.

According to the local KXAN Austin News, the news was confirmed by a spokesman for F1, who said the 24 month timeframe could include months of planning before the December start-date.

Earlier in 2010, Bernie Ecclestone warned that organiser Tavo Hellmund risked penalties if the inaugural race does not go ahead in 2012.

New F1 circuits look unlikely to be able to emulate Korea, whose delayed Yeongam venue was given an eleventh-hour reprieve by the FIA.

Usually, the governing body inspects a new track 90 days before the inaugural race date, giving either a thumbs-up or down.

But in the case of Korea, with construction badly delayed, Charlie Whiting kept postponing the final inspection until mere days before this week’s event.

“Is that going to happen again? No,” said Nick Craw, FIA senate president.

He was speaking to the Austin American Statesman newspaper, after visiting the site of the 2012 United States grand prix and saying he was happy with the organisers’ plans.

American Craw said future races in India and Russia will also be subject to the 90-day rule, to almost certainly be reinforced by the FIA at its November meeting.

“That probably protects everybody’s interest a little better than running right up against the event and saying, ‘Golly gee, we’ve got it wrong’,” he explained.

However, the construction timetable for the Austin race is tight, and he revealed that he will lobby against the 90-day rule if race promoter Tavo Hellmund thinks it will be a problem.

And Hellmund confirmed: “We certainly don’t want the mandate of 90 days because the only track it would affect in the world would be this one.”

There are some interesting faces in the Singapore paddock this weekend.

One of them is Lesa Kennedy, a prominent NASCAR board member and vice chairwoman of the American series.

It is rumoured she is securing a supply of ECUs with McLaren Electronic Systems.  McLaren group chairman Ron Dennis is also in Singapore this weekend.

Kennedy also met with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, sparking rumours NASCAR could be put on the bill for the 2012 United States grand prix in Austin.

Also spotted in the Singapore paddock was Dmitry Kozak, Russia’s deputy prime minister, who met with F1 chief executive Ecclestone.

Other notable dignitaries in Singapore are Dr Naviachandra Ramgoolam, the prime minister or Mauritius, and Jacques Regis, formerly the president of French motor racing authority FFSA.

Officials of Hermann Tilke’s German company are beginning to arrive in Austin to begin work at the site of the 2012 United States grand prix.

The formula one circuit design company Tilke GmbH already has geologists testing he 900-acre plot of land and is about to open a local office for 20 staff, according to a report in the local American-Statesman.

“There is land, there is money, there is a formula one contract.  We are now ready to enter the final stage of the ambitious project,” said Tilke’s US executive Christian Epp.

He said the actual track layout is essentially complete, but that questions about the auxiliary buildings are still being answered.

“We have to figure how many buildings and access roads are needed, how in detail to manage the water supply, drainage and power,” said Epp.  “It’s like planning and building a complete new city.”

He said a Tilke delegation will be in Austin next week to continue working on the reportedly $200 million plans, with actual construction to begin in December.

“The engineers and the contractors tell me it can be built by summer 2012,” said the race organisers’ lawyer Richard Suttle Jr.

Organisers of a United States grand prix risk penalties if the race does not go ahead in 2012.

That is the warning of F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, who more than a month ago announced a 10-year contract for a race in Austin, Texas.

The contract, with promoter Tavo Hellmund’s company, involves the construction of a purpose-built circuit.

But given a lack of details so far, and the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s failure to make the US GP a success, some pundits are sceptical about Austin’s bid.

For example, the source of the bulk of the funding is a mystery, with Ecclestone revealing only to the Austin daily American-Statesman that the backers are from the US.

It has also been suggested that 2012 is an overly optimistic race debut date, but Briton Ecclestone insists it will take place then.

“That’s what the contract says,” he said.  “It might turn out to be expensive for Tavo.  We’ve got some penalty clauses, although I wouldn’t want to use them.”

Ecclestone said he is confident Hellmund’s project will succeed.

“Until he doesn’t (succeed), we won’t know,” said the 79-year-old.  “You might say I couldn’t run the 100 metres in seven seconds, but until I try, you don’t know.”

(GMM)

Jun.13 (GMM)  Sir Richard Branson would like to see a United States grand prix held in Las Vegas.

The British billionaire, sponsor of Virgin Racing, said he welcomes the news that an American race has been scheduled for Texas in 2012.

“The US market is extremely important,” the Virgin mogul told La Presse newspaper at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

“We have a cell phone company here in Canada, our airline will fly to Toronto soon and we will invest in the Canadian investment community.

“But we must also go to the United States,” Branson insisted.  “I think the best places would be San Francisco, or the streets of Las Vegas.”

When told that F1 is planning to be in Texas in a couple of years, he answered: “Texas?  Yeah, ok, but I would still go to Vegas.

“Imagine the cars on the Strip,” he smiled.

A site for the 2012 United States grand prix has been selected.

It was earlier reported that although a promoter has won the rights to stage the race on a purpose-built track in Austin, Texas, the actual site for the venue is still being decided.

But a lawyer for promoter Full Throttle Productions is quoted by the local American-Statesman newspaper as revealing that land has been secured.

“We’re just not ready to disclose it (the actual location) yet,” said Richard Suttle.

Suttle also said regular F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke has been appointed.

But even with the new details, doubts about the project remain, including insider sentiment that it resembles past negotiating moves deployed by F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Until the shock news of the Austin deal emerged, Monticello Motor Club in New York was considered the front runner for a contract.

Club president Ari Straus said the 2012 start-date was the biggest surprise.

“Somebody starting from scratch would not be able to do it until 2013,” he said.

The implication could be that if Austin is unable to be ready for 2012, Monticello could be back in the frame for a project the following year.

“If Bernie comes back to the table,” Straus said, “Monticello is ready.”

But Austin promoter Tavo Hellmund, reportedly a friend of Ecclestone’s for decades, said he is not worried about the tight schedule for 2012.

“If it (the date) slides back, it slides back,” he said.

Although mainly funded privately, the project will also enjoy some state input, with a letter to Ecclestone signed by Texas governor Rick Perry pledging $25 million per year from the state’s Mayor Event Trust Fund.

(GMM)

In the midst of reports that New York was Bernie Ecclestone’s favoured location, the sport announced late on Tuesday that Austin, Texas will in fact stage its first race in 2012.

The 10-year contract is for a “purpose-built” facility, F1 chief executive Ecclestone said in a statement, although details including an actual site, cost or race date were not released.

A report of the AP news agency said the venue would be built “within 10 miles” of Austin airport.

The promoter is Full Throttle Productions, headed by Tavo Hellmund, who Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs revealed has a “30 year relationship with Mr Ecclestone”.

“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,” said Hellmund.

“We realise that over the last 30 years there have been one or two missing pieces from the previous editions of the formula one United States grand prix,” he added.

Never on a purpose-built circuit, previous US grands prix have been held at Watkins Glen, Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix.

Between 2000 and 2007, the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the event, and spokesman Fred Nation on Tuesday questioned whether the “business deal” between F1 and Austin is a sound one.

“Since 2007, we have been asked many times about having formula one return, and our answer has been the same each time: if the business deal is right, they are welcome back.

“If such a deal is in place in Austin, we wish both the city and formula one success for a race in the United States,” he said.
(GMM)

Monticello Motor Club, located about a 90 minute drive from New York City, has been given a 20 per cent chance of hosting the United States grand prix starting in 2012 or 2013.

It emerged last week that the private club’s president Ari Strauss told members the venue is in talks with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and had already been visited by circuit designer Hermann Tilke.

He wrote in a letter that he is now working on securing political backing, insisting it “is not a done deal”.

But a new report by the local daily Times Herald-Record reveals that Strauss and club chairman William McMichael also met recently with Ecclestone in London.

A considerable stumbling-block is that the $35 million track – built in 2008 at the old Monticello airport and with comedian Jerry Seinfeld among its members – needs $150m in improvements and then millions every year for F1′s sanctioning fee.

“We are cautiously optimistic,” Straus said. “If you told me I had to bet on it, I would say there is a 20 per cent chance.”
(GMM)

Another possible venue for a future United States grand prix has emerged.

After talks for a race in Jersey City reportedly collapsed, it is now suggested that Monticello Motor Club, about two hours from New York City, has been earmarked as a possible alternative.

Autoweek published a letter from the club’s president Ari Strauss to members revealing that the club – located in the Town of Thompson in Sullivan County – is in talks with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

The letter also said Strauss met with Ecclestone a few months ago, and that F1 track designer Hermann Tilke has already visited the venue.

Strauss said Tilke “confirmed that our track and surrounding properties, with some expansion and minor track modifications, is an excellent location for a grand prix”.

He explained that he is working on securing the “backing and support of local, state, and federal politicians and organisations” and warned that “securing F1 is like winning the Olympics, competition is fierce, and this is not a done deal”.

(GMM)

May 4 (GMM)  Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, has emerged as the potential site for a United States grand prix between 2012 and 2016.

Local reports said talks for a race amid the backdrop of the New York skyline are underway, with a city spokeswoman confirming that “preliminary discussions” with F1 officials started three weeks ago.

The story emerged after documents obtained by opposition group Friends of Liberty State Park showed plans for a 3.6 mile track within the 1200 acre park providing “the least impact to city functions”.

“It is a marketing tool to bring people to Jersey City such as foot traffic and revenue to local businesses,” the spokeswoman is quoted as saying by hudsonreporter.com.

Mayor Jerramiah Healy issued a statement clarifying that Jersey City was approached by formula one.

“Jersey City is one of several cities they (F1) are pursuing,” said mayor Healy.  “There have been a few, preliminary conversations and this is very much in the exploratory phase.

“However, this may not be something that is in the best interest of Jersey City or Liberty State Park,” he added.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone’s London office could not be reached for comment.