Well the track is going counter clockwise (or Anti-clockwise for those speaking with Queen's English) .

So turn 1 is up hill

 

More local color:

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...ns_finish.html

 

Are you related to Ben Spies, perchance?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiVCb...next=1&index=3

 

I wonder when PCA's Hill Country Region will schedule a Club Race at Tavo's resort? THAT will be one fun club race with LOTS of attendees. Maybe we'll get a third club race in Texas???

 

Track layout....more important.....how are the Grid Girl interview and costume design coming along?

 

I'll supply some grid girls for VR's preparty :-)

 

Not being critical, merely an observation

 

Oh no, the cats out the bag...yes.

 

I was more commenting on some others who were already bitching about the design.









Professional Racing and Driving Coach

 

Are there any plans in the making for DE days there?

 

The impression I get about the F1 track here in Austin (I just moved here) is there is a very small group of people who don't want it. There's another somewhat larger group who find it to be a great thing for the area. Then there's the vast majority who either aren't aware of it or just don't care. The group against is just trying to be a squeaky wheel. The arguments they make are very weak.

Just because some tracks close down doesn't mean this one will. Just because some places have noise problems doesn't mean this one will. Most places I've been have a very good relationship with the neighbors, except for one person apparently next to Harris Hill Road who moved in knowing the track was there. Track owners typically bend over backwards to be respectful of the neighbors. Summit Point even has a quiet hour on Sunday on all the tracks during the church service across the street.

Any harm motor racing at this level does is at best a weak argument. It might take some time, but the technological advances made eventually work their way down to making engines more efficient, fuel composition more economical, tires last longer, safer and more powerful braking systems, aerodynamic efficiencies, the list goes on.

Too many people with their heads in the sand. Economically and ecologically, I see this as a good thing. It's part of what helped me decide to move to Austin.

 

In general, I think it is a good layout, and am happy that F1 is back in the USA.

But, give me a break, why couldn't he go for some radical design like Spa or Monza. For example, have a 2 mile uphil straight (probably the engines would blow up). Innovate!

 

I'm not sure that I see a whole lot of passing opportunities there, maybe going into 12, but certainly not into 1. A straight that ends in a steep uphill braking area? F1 cars don't need any more help to shorten their stopping distances, which is one of the big problems with passing now.