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Fan Feature: 5 Lessons From a Formula 1 Race

Jenny Tynes - AlwaysAustin.comThe following is a special feature from Austin F1 fan, Jenny Tynes. Jenny is an experienced Austin Realtor® that excels at introducing and teaching others the ins and outs of Austin to help make it home. From neighborhoods to school systems, the Congress Avenue bats to the Barton Creek Greenbelt, the best margaritas to live music, Jenny has a lot to share about Austin and is expecially excited about the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™. 

I wanted to take a test run of a Formula 1™ race before the inaugural United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas™ in Austin this November. That is what led me on an adventure to the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal in June of 2012. And am I ever glad that I took the racing fan plunge!

BOOK REVIEW: FORMULA ONE, ALL THE RACES (1950-2011)

 

// Review

Filling 600 pages of paperback book cannot be anything other than a labor of love. For author, Roger Smith, Formula 1: All The Races is based on what he calls his ‘race pods’, each of which outlines a race, key details of its qualifying, along with appropriate statistics, facts and the folklore surrounding the events. Even the most ardent of GP fans will find at least one snippet not revealed by other sources, so comprehensive is the coverage.

Alexander Rossi Talks About F1 In America

Alexander Rossi was in Austin last week for the Austin Fashion Week kick off event, "Shift Into Style." Before he took to the runway Friday night, we sat down with Alexander and got a deeper understanding of his appreciation for the new American home for F1, Circuit of The Americas.

What we really like about this interview is Alexander's in-depth analysis of a 3D model of the Circuit, explained to us through the experienced eyes of a driver.

Alexander also autographed some COME AND RACE IT stickers and shirts - keep your eyes peeled for this great giveaway!

For a more in-depth look into Alexander's role as American racing driver, check out: ALEXANDER ROSSI TO JOIN AUSTIN FASHION EVENT.

// A TEXAS-SIZED THANK YOU TO ALEXANDER ROSSI AND TEAM FOR THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH AUSTIN & F1 FANS WORLDWIDE!

 Alexander also autographed some COME AND RACE IT stickers and shirts - keep your eyes peeled for this great giveaway!

Final Paving Process Begins At COTA

// Echelon Paving

The final paving process is now underway at Circuit of The Americas. As explained in the video above, there are two integral layers of asphalt to be set into place before the FIA Inspection on September 25. 

The first layer of asphalt, known as the base course, has been installed sporadically (yet intentionally) around the track over the past several months. Between Turns 1 and 11, the track is restricted so that crews can prepare the surface to receive its second layer. Just last week, the final section of the base course was set between turns 20 and 1 in a "marriage ceremony," where the existing asphalt at Turn 1 was merged with the new layer.  Following this milestone, the paving process will become more difficult and complex in order to achieve the strict Grade 1 FIA specifications.

// Click on the photos above to see the full image gallery

In collaboration with Tilke GmbH, Austin Commercial will orchestrate this process, known as "echelon paving," with three to four machines running simultaneously.  Each layer will require 7-12 days to complete and take around 60 workers, or almost 10% percent of the onsite crew. The echelon technique ensures a seamless track, free of any distortions and a perfect surface that will help Formula 1 and other racing series drive safely and achieve top performance.

Inspection of the track is scheduled for September 25, when FIA Safety Delgate and Race Director Charlie Whiting will return to Austin for a closer look at the surface and various safety components. According to Juilie Loignon, COTA Vice President of Public and Community Relations, all preparations are underway to ensure the circuit meets the intense specifications to host the Formula 1 race in November.

Need seats at Circuit of The Americas? Buy your USGP tickets from TicketCity.

Vintage by Definition



The summer holidays are upon us and the Grand Prix circus is taking its customary mid-season vacation before recommencing racing duties in late-August, at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. Iain Robertson perceives this as a chance to review what has been and what is to come, from what he calls a ‘vintage year’ in the F1 scene.

DIVIDENDS OF DOWNFORCE: GERMAN GP

NUERBURG, GERMANY - JULY 23: Mark Webber of Australia and Red Bull Racing drives during practice to the German Formula One Grand Prix at the Nurburgring on July 23, 2011 in Nuerburg, Germany. (Photo by Vladimir Rys Photography via Getty Images)

// Dividends of Downforce

Located in the Rhine Valley, near Karlsruhe, the 2012 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim is this season’s alternative to the equally infamous ‘Green Hell’ of the Nürburgring but, prior to its 2002 modernisation programme, it claimed the lives of two of Formula One’s most famous sons.