UPDATE!! Austin Grand Prix Demo Pictures

[Glenn B.]

The city of Austin would not allow the demonstration run to happen in downtown Austin this morning, but that did not deter us Texans. With our classic "never give up" attitude, we held the demo run in a different venue. Pictures attached.

 

[Doc Kaler]

Glenn,

And....our official pace car is in the background of photo three! :thumbsup:

 

[Geert-Jan]

I think your pace car is better visable in photo 1 & 4 :cowboy:

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[Doc Kaler]

Those are our corner workers.....

 

[Jim Craik]

Glenn,

Is that for real?

It looks like David Coultards helmet.

Mabye photoshop?

Its had to believe a modern GP car would not be ruined by all that dust/dirt!

 

[Mesa]

The pace car is the pick-em-up truck. Hard to tell the racing surface from the gravel traps. Either that or the heat has broiled all the oil out of the pavement already!
I hear Renalt has hired Sebastian Loeb on a one race deal for this uh, track.

 

[Glenn B.]

It was for real...they actually took it out to a local ranch and did filming there...and Coulthard was driving. They also took it to the new track and he ran a lap....on the graded dirt surface! Red Bull will obviously go to any extreme to get unique footage to promote their brand.

 

[DaveM]

Texas Taxpayers Finance Formula One Auto Races as Schools Dismiss Teachers - Bloomberg

Hate to be a spoilsport, but the $25 Million/year state funding could pay 500 teachers. Apparently all this $$ goes to the sanctioning fee (Ecclestone) not construction costs or jobs. Why can't McCombs or other wealthy Texas promotors pay this themselves? Smells like Perry good old boy corruption.

 

[Doc Kaler]

FYI,

"The funds help offset the cost of producing the events, then are re-paid to the State following the events."

This was the intent of the funds, which passed a vote by Austin City Council. The facility's construction was fully funded by private enterprise. So, I guess Bernie will have to repay the State of Texas after the events.

 

[DaveM]

I was aware of the payback provision. I believe it comes from sales tax, but the projections still left Texas citizens on the hook for a substantial part of the $25 M. I guess you can do what you want in TX and I did think the photos were funny. I'd be real upset if that happened in my state while teachers were laid off.