Viewing entries in
Track

Alexander Rossi To Join Austin Fashion Event

Alexander Rossi (Photo courtesy www.alexanderrossi.com)
American driver Alexander Rossi will be in Austin next week for Austin Fashion Week's kick-off event, "Shift Into Style," which is being presented by Circuit of The Americas and the Circuit Events Host Committee. 

// Alexander Rossi

Most American F1 fans are quite familiar with Alexander Rossi as he is the only American currently with an FIA super license, the license all F1 drivers must hold to participate in F1. With such credentials, he is Test Driver for the Caterham F1 Team and competing for Arden Caterham in the Renault 3.5 series, part of the World Series by Renault, the championship in which he finished third in his rookie season in 2011. In addition to an impressive resume in motorsports, Rossi has earned 136 starts with an extremely impressive 38 wins and 33 pole positions. American fans embrace Rossi as he is the most immediate and promising future American F1 driver - something that we haven't seen since Scott Speed in 2007.

Born in California and currently residing in the UK, Rossi understands the important role fashion plays in international motorsport events. F1 drivers are frequently sought after by corporate sponsors for endorsements and advertising campaigns, and Rossi’s elite status has exposed him to opportunities in the fashion industry through print and runway modeling.

// Shift Into Style

On Friday, August 10, Austin's annual week of fashion will kick off with an exceptional fashion party and fundraiser at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Runway shows will feature Austin designers, gourmet food and live entertainment at this prestigious event. Seizing the opportunity to marry motorsports and style, Circuit of The Americas will welcome more than one-thousand guests to witness VIPs from the fashion and motorsports industries and unveil the outfits to be worn by the COTA Girls at this November's Inaugural Formula 1 race. COTA Girls are stylish ambassadors who will be part of the color and pageantry during the race week festivities. Local fashion talent, of Fashion Star™ fame, Ross Bennett designed the COTA Girls’ collection for the 2012 USGP and will be on hand for the unveiling. Bennett added:

This is one of the most unique design projects and it’s an honor to have been chosen for this special assignment in my hometown. Formula 1 events draw sophisticated fans from around the world. We expect Shift Into Style to highlight the important role fashion plays in international motorsports.

Geoff Moore, CMO at COTA, went on to explain:

Formula 1 Grands Prix are very fashion-focused experiences, and we expect Shift Into Style to get our guests excited for the fall season while providing a preview of what we expect to see at the Circuit this November.

// Beyond Austin

Last month COTA also announced that First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry, will open the AFW festivities by welcoming guests to the Bob Bullock Museum for Shift Into Style. She is also excited to take part in the event:

The U.S. Grand Prix will bring the attention of the entire world to Central Texas, giving people from many nations the chance to see the unique blend of cultures that our state has to offer. From music and history to our vibrant and growing fashion and arts communities, Texas has something for everybody. I am so pleased to take part in this truly special event that adds to the diverse culture that has made the Lone Star State an international attraction.

Offering Texans a unique opportunity to understand the world of F1 up close and personal, F1 cars from Williams F1 Team, Lotus-Pirelli and Michael Schumacher's Ferrari F1 world championship car will be on display at the event. In addition, an F1 timeline photography exhibition by premier F1 international photographers, Sutton Images, will be on display and take guests on a visual journey through the last 60+ years of F1. If you missed it last month, check out our interview with Keith and Mark Sutton from Formula Expo.

// Beyond Fashion

One of the best parts about this unique event is that its impact will go beyond the glossy magazines and red carpet. COTA has chosen Seton Breast Cancer Center and Dell Children's Blood and Cancer Center as beneficiaries for the evening's event. A silent auction will offer guests the opportunity to raise money for local, worthy causes and take home fabulous items, including:

  • VIP tickets to the 2012 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX
  • VIP tickets to the race kickoff reception and luncheon
  • VIP tickets to a private reception during race week
  • Tickets for a track ride in the Circuit’s F1 3-seater
  • Tickets to one of the weekend outdoor concerts

Rossi may have summarized it best:

Fashion is something I have grown to appreciate, and it’s great to see Austin’s fashion community embrace F1 style. Central Texas is going to be a fantastic place to host a Grand Prix and all of the fashion-forward guests who attend Formula 1 races. Shift Into Style will be a great way to launch Austin’s Fashion Week and start the official countdown to the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX at Circuit of The Americas this November. I feel privileged to work with Circuit of Americas for this event and I’m also very proud of my affiliation with Caterham F1 Team. I thank Team Principal Tony Fernandes for this and the opportunity he has given me within the team and I will continue to work hard to embrace the American commercial objectives for Caterham F1 Team, Formula 1 as a sport and Circuit of the Americas.

// Details

What: Austin Fashion Week Kick-Off Event, Shift Into Style

When: Friday, August 10, 2012 from 8:00PM - 11:00PM

Where: Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701

Who: Circuit of The Americas, Circuit Events Host Committee, Austin Fashion Week, Alexander Rossi and more TBA

Fashion Lineup: Ross Bennett, Keepers, Ferrari, The Danes Collection and Linda Asaf

Food and Drinks: Parkside, Olive & June, Backspace, Truluck's, Iron Cactus, Siena and Sentelli's

Cost: $85 per ticket

// Click HERE to purchase your tickets!

Within Arm's Reach: Construction Update at COTA

// Click on any of the photos above to go to the full gallery.

With just under four months to go until the November Formula 1 race at Circuit of The Americas, construction is moving along steadily as the deadline approaches. On site today for a media tour, there was evidence of significant progress since our last visit exactly one month prior. Many are concerned that significant strides may not be enough to achieve the impossible, but COTA and their contractors are confident everything is on schedule.

First stop on the trip was Austin's zenith, Turn 1, where the temporary observation platform has been removed to make room for grandstands and permanent restroom facilities. We were able to exit the shuttle and step out on the run-off area, walking trough the gravel trap and on to the asphalt.

The difference between the track now and a short three months ago (April), makes the less than four month deadline seem completely within reach for COTA. With 700 workers on site at any point during the day, there is no shortage of hands to get this project completed. The guard rails are in place and bolted together and the FIA required fence is taught and ready for race operation. All together, the only thing remaining to finish Turn 1 is the final layer of asphalt for the race surface and some cosmetic details.

Speaking to an Austin Commercial representative (the general contractor), I learned that FIA Safety Delegate Charlie Whiting's June visit to the Circuit (post Canadian Grand Prix) was very positive. Concerns about completion where squashed when compared to recent F1 tracks like Korea and India, both of which staged races but fought the clock late into the night before their respective events. COTA's FIA inspection is scheduled a minimum of 60 days before F1 arrives on track, which makes the weekend of Sept 15-16 the true target for circuit operation.

Continuing on the racing line to our next stop at Turn 11, our ride was smooth and free of previous bumps and rattles from a dirt surface; only the circuit's inherent undulation and natural character came through. Despite traveling only 30 miles per hour in a large shuttle bus, we were able to get a taste of the complex maneuvering that will be required by future drivers; they will certainly enjoy the challenges the first half of the circuit presents.

Stopping at Turn 11 was an opportunity to survey the progress in just one month since Mark Winterbottom's visit to the circuit. This hairpin turn is surprisingly narrow so cars must make their move early coming out of Turn 10 and secure their position before entering Turn 11. In terms of progress, the access road behind the barriers looks complete while the kerbs and fencing are just behind at about 50% completion. Like the majority of the track, the run-off area and track surface are ready to receive final treatment.

Traveling down the main straight to Turn 12, it's hard to not focus on the Tower under construction. With many of the prefabricated steel sections in place, the commanding white tower dominates the western side of the circuit even though it has yet to reach its 251 foot peak. 8" steel tubes painted COTA red will create the canopy of the Tower and stretch down to the amphitheater below. Some evidence of these red tubes adorns the back side of the Main Grandstand and will also be part of the Grand Plaza entrance on the far west side of the track. We didn't stop to look at the Tower, but I'm looking forward to investigating it in the future to understand how the amphitheater and Tower will connect.

Our final stop - on the main straight - was the heart of the on-site action today. With the paddock building on the left, the Main Grandstand on the right, and Turn 1 in the background, the activity and excitement levels here are electric. The Main Grandstand's canopy structure is complete and the first piece of canopy covering has just been installed. The glass windows of the paddock building are practically done and the main scoreboard and starting line gantry are in position. Much remains to satisfy the typical paddock club clientele from what's visible on the track below, so crews are likely beginning to focus more on the buildings and guest amenities as the track and safety elements near completion.

In total, the pieces of the puzzle that will transform this circuit into America's new home for motorsports are secret no more. The world's greatest drivers will soon compete on this track; the top three will grace the podium, spraying champagne over the edge and rewarding their teammates and crew members for their hard work. Thousands of fans have dreamed about the return of an American F1 race for over five years. Within a matter of months now, all the glory will be within arm's reach.

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

Save The Ring!

Former "Ring Taxi" and BMW Motorsport driver Sabine Schmitz shows her love for the Ring. "Save The Ring" on Facebook.

// Save the Ring

Recently it was announced that Germany’s world-renowned Nurburgring, which has been in financial dire straits for some time now, is (going) broke.  A regular on the F1 calendar alternating with Hockenheim, the ‘Ring has been a worldwide motorsport playground since 1927.  Even though the circuit and the park around it have been publicly owned its entire existence, it was recently rented out to a couple of overzealous privateers, Kai Richter and Jörg Lindner, who unfortunately don’t know much about auto racing or more importantly, its fan base.  

Together they invested heavily in building a giant shopping mall, an oversized hotel, a 3,000 seat venue, and finally a theme park with a roller coaster that doesn’t operate properly.  Sadly, it came as no surprise to motoring fans in the know from the beginning to learn that their investment hasn’t paid off, as the new spaces largely remain vacant.  Even sadder is that a scrappy venture such as this that did not even directly involve auto racing is putting the ‘Ring on the chopping block.

If this longtime fan favorite is to remain on F1 schedule in the future, the track and grounds will have to be at least partially purchased to get out of the €350M hole it’s in.  The EU wouldn’t bail out the track even if it could, which begs the question - who can?  And more importantly – who will?  Some believe one of the giant automakers would be the perfect candidate.  Porsche and GM have been tossed around popular auto hangouts online…but why hasn’t anyone yet mentioned another obvious candidate?

Lately, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has been aggressively pursuing future additions to the F1 calendar, and paying the Nurburgring debt would secure its future in F1, at least for now.  Near the end of 2011, a 10-year deal was struck to add a race along the Hudson River in New Jersey starting in 2013, and Formula 1 has also very recently put in a bid to rent London’s Olympic stadium for a race in and around the venue in the future.  Plus Ecclestone already owns France’s Paul Ricard circuit - where F1 has raced in years past - so this would not be too big a stretch for him despite Nurburgring’s massive size. 

Although we believe the London bid to be a bit of a PR stunt considering the opening ceremony of the 2012 games is a mere 8 days away, it falls right in line with Bernie’s style given he’s often unpredictable in such matters.  Whoever the savior may be though, keep your fingers crossed that someone will pony up with a bailout so racing fans can continue to enjoy the famed Nurburgring.  After all, aren’t bailouts “in” these days?

Finally, here's why we need to save the ring:

The Water Factor

Every now and then, fans expect the rain to interfere with the outcome of the race and create an exciting spectacle at the same time. While we all quietly wish for another repeat of the 1988 Japanese GP each time there is potential for rain at a grand prix, the truth is water is an enormously difficult and dangerous factor to consider for teams and their drivers.

With many close calls on Friday and Saturday during practice and qualifying, the evidence of failed water management at Silverstone is extensive and easy to spot.  On the screen, puddles and sheets of water are clearly visible as drivers travel through each obstacle with a distinct wake from their tire treads. 

After closer analysis, there seems to be a pattern of behavior throughout the circuit.  As I mentioned before, Will Buxton's rant about Silverstone's remodel and the new flooding prone pit lane is evidence that concerns are significant enough to stir up a nationally televised discussion about the situation.

If Silverstone is looking to tackle this problem in order to prevent accidents, race delays, and ensure the comfort and safety of everyone in attendance, then a serious implementation of water management is necessary. Though much of the circuit's remodel was focused on extending the track and the aforementioned new paddock building, it's really no excuse that puddles are forming on such a high-class facility.

With hindsight, it's always easy to give Silverstone a hard time for these issues, so instead we focus on what steps can be done to address them.  To do so means looking no further than our facility here in Austin, and how Circuit of The Americas is working to make sure fans, drivers and teams are well insulated from overflows of water. 

In our recent trip to the Austin circuit for interviews with Australian V8 Supercar driver Mark "Frosty" Winterbottom, I also spoke with the head of the project from Tilke, Frank Both.  In our discussions, I learned more about the plans the Tilke engineering team has set in motion to address the water retition at COTA.

We first discussed the overall progress of COTA and took a look at the surrounding situation at Turn 11.  At our feet was the initial layers of asphalt on the track with two white paint lines at a slight change in elevation.  Frank explained after the initial layers of asphalt are set down, the surface is cut and forms are laid for the curbs along with drainage pipes. 

Lining the circuit and staged ready for placement behind the curbs, a modular drainage system waits to be set into place.  I asked Frank about this system and he explained the drainage system lined the whole circuit to ensure proper collection of water at any point along the track.  Thus, the necessary infrastructure to prevent puddles and streaks of water across the circuit is not localized, but instead a continuous network around the whole circuit. Should rain become a factor at this year's USGP, fans can be assured that the necessary infrastructure is in place to make sure all the action stays on track and doesn't spill off (as much as one can ensure, anyway!).

After this weekend's British GP, there's plenty of evidence that careful consideration for water retention should not be taken lightly. Failing to do so may end up costing a driver some points or even put him in the wall.  After speaking with Frank Both and learning more about Tilke's plans for COTA, I've gained another level of respect for their expertise in circuit construction. We can rest assured the dangers of excessive water on the track will be absent, thanks to the foresight of Tilke and the contractors constructing COTA. 

The Art of Wet Racing

Without a doubt, Formula 1's ability to take on the rain makes it a unique series in the motorsports world.  Tolerating substantial downpours and several hour delays is the norm for the traveling event, separating it from the fair-weather nature of most racing (think day-long delays, such as the Daytona 500 this year). This year's British GP will certainly not disappoint, and for those attending the race, it's going to be a tough couple of days "mucking about" in the mud around the circuit and the traffic on the A43 highway.

We've seen that tires can be the deciding factor this season, evidence in Fernando Alonso's fight in the final two corners of the Malaysian GP with Sergio Perez, almost costing him the win.  The likelihood of such another fight is eminent as the potential of an "emotional" British GP will only be exacerbated by the buckets of rain pouring on Silverstone this weekend. Today's practice sessions were a combination of control and chaos as each driver struggled to pilot their vehicle across the delicate, slippery surface.  Though the action was relatively slow today, tomorrow's qualifying shouldn't disappoint.

Let's not forget as well, the recent remodel of the Silverstone circuit has spurred a love/hate relationship with the F1 community. Though Formula 1 has seen a bit of rain at other circuits so far this year, the new remodel of the Silverstone circuit has made the problems more complicated. 

In his rant this morning on Speed TV's live coverage of Practice session, Will Buxton (@willbuxton) let America know exactly how he feels about the remodel.  With a Pit Lane that's partially below the water table, the likelihood of flooding in this essential area is a real possibility.  Just how they will address the issue as the weekend continues is still a mystery, but we hope fixing floaties to the cars is outside of the regulations.

Rain filled races have made the history books time and time again, and no one would dare say only dry races are the most exciting. It is possible to go too far to the other side of that argument with Bernie signaling he's a fan of playing in the rain. Though the likelihood of sprinklers being added to race tracks for "fun" seem to be squashed for now, we'll be looking forward to a wet mess in Silverstone this weekend and hoping rain stays a natural feature of F1.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans: The Legend of Automobile Sports

// The following is a guest post by Sabrina Beaudoin, a french journalist and administrator of http://www.tout-f1.com/.  Thank you Sabrina for sharing your work with the American F1 audience!

// Le Mans

Every year there are more than 50 competitors coming from different parts of the globe, whom have diverse backgrounds in their sporting careers and are brought together for a face to face challenge through the famous 24 hours of Le Mans. For the 80th edition, Le Mans circuit is ever more welcoming and attractive. This challenge is not just a simple run as it counts for the FIA championship. The 24 hours of Le Mans is also something that we all share and connect with. Despite the brand, prototype, team sponsorship or pilot that one supports, all fans gather in a reunion where spirits are lifted by the adrenaline. Again, this year brought over 200,000 people to cheer on this festivity.

Coming from 4 corners of the world, avid fans enjoy this moment as well as the social and unified team spirit brought by this event. Without such enthusiasm, Le Mans would not be the same…and would not open its doors for almost 2 full weeks to welcome such a crowd. We start with a qualifier day that allows certain people to get ready for the Mans day, others only participate at this session and stand aside the more experienced crowd…embracing and learning. The following week is a measure of skills and performance. To help boost local attendance, the promoter of the race encouraged the town to participate. Certain activities will always be unique to the town, such as the famous parade of pilots that enable the public to experience a closer connection with them.