Just add water and small-business involvement

By now, you’ve probably all heard the same thing about Formula 1 tracks designed by German architects Tilke GmbH: Well built but dull. However, this morning the Formula 1 US Grand Prix group behind the Austin project released their draft track design, and dull it is not.

Just add water and small-business involvement

(Click on images to enlarge)

Full Throttle Productions LP managing partner Tavo Hellmund had said that he wanted to ensure that this was a track that people would talk about, and on which drivers would want to compete.

Here’s the quick skinny: 3.4 miles long, which makes it one of the longer tracks, varying from 39 to 52 feet in width, top speed of 200mph. It gets really interesting when you start throwing the topography in:

This is a track with some serious elevation: A 133-foot difference between the highest and lowest point. Even the one long straightaway between turns 11 and 12 has a major rise in the middle, which could make things interesting. However, that long rise up to turn one, which falls away into turn two, should make for some interesting races.

The finalization of the track now means that the planning application process can really begin. Project attorney Richard Suttle confirmed last night that the first major piece of paperwork – to begin grading to landscape the soil – went in late yesterday.

This article appears in August 27 • 2010.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.