If you were to ask me what is more likely - Formula One racing returning to Texas after 20 years (and landing in Austin of all places) or Texas finally getting an Ironman event, I’d have said Ironman. No contest.
Wow. Got that one really wrong.
If you were to ask me what is more likely - Formula One racing returning to Texas after 20 years (and landing in Austin of all places) or Texas finally getting an Ironman event, I’d have said Ironman. No contest.
Wow. Got that one really wrong.
you seriously think that an Ironman would
A. be more popular in Texas than a Formula 1 race
B. be a bigger revenue generator than a F1 race?
Not at all on both questions.
I’m thrilled to see F1 back in the US. I actually went to the USGP in Dallas back in the early 80s and I’m looking forward to going to the races in Austin. I just wouldn’t have guessed my back yard as Bernie’s first choice.
As for the Ironman comparison…Sorry, that was just a cheap way to bump the “when will the Ironman Woodlands announcement be?” discussion back to the top.
Mike
Not at all on both questions.
I’m thrilled to see F1 back in the US. I actually went to the USGP in Dallas back in the early 80s and I’m looking forward to going to the races in Austin. I just wouldn’t have guessed my back yard as Bernie’s first choice.
As for the Ironman comparison…Sorry, that was just a cheap way to bump the “when will the Ironman Woodlands announcement be?” discussion back to the top.
Mike
Woodlands won’t be an Ironman though by my understanding. Or has the Ironman name now been watered down that it now refers to 70.3’s as well?
All of the talk I have heard is that the Woodlands race, if it ever happens, will be a full 140.6. I don’t think that Texas needs another half event. By my count there are already at least 5 already (Buffalo Springs, Longhorn, Ironstar, Lone Star, Prairieman) plus one in Oklahoma and Arkansas if those aren’t enough.
Where did you hear it was going to be a half?
I better make a call to my friends at REDBULL, maybe lightening strikes twice
Flavio Briattore having a talk off to my right, this did not seem the right time to ask for an autograph
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My first though when I heard about the purpose-built track was “what an awesome place for the Austin tri/du/cycling community to have some great races”.
Now if they would kindly dig a lake for the track to wind itself around all would be great in the triathlon world.
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Man I can’t tell you how surprised I am at this thread, at home I usually refer to myself as one of the 7 U.S. F1 fans.
Talk about a small group: triathlete slowtwitchers that watch F1?1?
I too am thrilled at the prospect of an F1 race in Austin although I would have picked them as something like city #87 on the list of options. I expected all the large media markets to get a shot at a race first. Although I have to admit I am cautiously optimistic about building a new track facility I don’t expect it to be easy in uber-eco Austin. I’m not troll baiting, I just have several friends who have built small projects and found it very complicated to get permits, etc. Good luck to them!
If they race in Austin, I will go, costs be damned. Now if we can just get that IM race…
-Jeff
Man I can’t tell you how surprised I am at this thread, at home I usually refer to myself as one of the 7 U.S. F1 fans.
Talk about a small group: triathlete slowtwitchers that watch F1?1?
I too am thrilled at the prospect of an F1 race in Austin although I would have picked them as something like city #87 on the list of options. I expected all the large media markets to get a shot at a race first. Although I have to admit I am cautiously optimistic about building a new track facility I don’t expect it to be easy in uber-eco Austin. I’m not troll baiting, I just have several friends who have built small projects and found it very complicated to get permits, etc. Good luck to them!
If they race in Austin, I will go, costs be damned. Now if we can just get that IM race…
-Jeff
Here’s another F1 fan. Let’s hope it’s not another “roval” track like Indy.
I’m hoping ALMS finds its way to Austin if this track gets built.
I live in Austin and am stoked that we may have a race here. I hope it is more successful than the US based F1 team that is running this season.
Man I can’t tell you how surprised I am at this thread, at home I usually refer to myself as one of the 7 U.S. F1 fans.
Talk about a small group: triathlete slowtwitchers that watch F1?1?
I too am thrilled at the prospect of an F1 race in Austin although I would have picked them as something like city #87 on the list of options. I expected all the large media markets to get a shot at a race first. Although I have to admit I am cautiously optimistic about building a new track facility I don’t expect it to be easy in uber-eco Austin. I’m not troll baiting, I just have several friends who have built small projects and found it very complicated to get permits, etc. Good luck to them!
If they race in Austin, I will go, costs be damned. Now if we can just get that IM race…
-Jeff
Count me and my 11 year old son in the seven US F1 fans. I went to the inaugural event at Indy many years ago as a guest of Bridgestone. It was awesome. We had access to the Paddock Club, got to meet Michael Schumacher, Ralf Schumacher, Jean Todt, and Rubens Barrichello. I don’t know that I will ever be so lucky again, but what an event. You can bet my son and I will be in Austin. No question.
How are you liking the season so far? Do you think Michael is going to get it together before it’s too late and make a serious run for the championship? I am pulling for Alonso, but my son is a diehard Shummy fan.
Greg
Count me in as one of the seven STers who follow F1. Going to Montreal for the fourth time in two weeks. Great trip! GUys only, Got some sweet restaurants lined up, and appropriate nightlife after. Ill run from our hotel up to Mont Royal ark to wash the toxins from my body a cpiuple of mornings. Always love going to the island/park…getting off the train and walking to our seats and hearing the absolute scream of the engines for the first time in a year. Ill post some pics the week after.
My 6.5 year old son is now a fan as well, and he joins me at 630 am for qualifying and race mornings. He knows all of the three letter abreviations the speed channel uses for the drivers… good to start them young. I have afeeling he’ll make thetrip to austin in a few years for hisfirst race, Im already looking forward to it.
No disrespect to Austin or the rest of Texas. I think the Texas mentality is the best (I’d love for them to take over the Northeast USA) and Austin just adds a little “city culture” - take that as good or bad.
So my opinion is Austin is about as “Non-Texas” as you can get in Texas, so it does make sense to me that it would be there.
Another one of the seven Ironman and F1 fanatics. Can’t wait for F1 to be back in US and a 10 year deal should hopefully grow the popularity locally. Went to all USGP at Indy and Montreal twice. It is quite a small niche that we have now the hard part is trying to find a g-friend with those same interests:)
I would fly/drive to Austin, Texas to watch an F1 race, but would not do that to watch a triathlon, running or cycling event. I would also fly there to check out SXSW.
So an ST-F1 GTG might be in order in a couple of years… I can see it now. AM run>>> coffee and muffins…shower then qualifying. Then PM dinner and vino.
Saw John Howard at the USGP the first year it was held.
So that would be like 3 of us at the race? 
So that would be like 3 of us at the race?
If I lived in the US I’d make a trip to Austin to hang for the F1.Austin rarely needs a reason to party but having F1 in town would be awesome.
My only F1 claim to fame was that I played nine holes of golf with Alain Prost and Stefan Johansson when they were in Oz for the F1 in 1988( or maybe it was 1987?Yeah, Nov '87).
Nice dudes!
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How are you liking the season so far? Do you think Michael is going to get it together before it’s too late and make a serious run for the championship? I am pulling for Alonso, but my son is a diehard Shummy fan.
Greg
I think he’s doing the best he can with that car. It’s obvious the Red Bull, McClaren, and Ferrari chassis are more developed and faster. If they scrap this year’s car mid season due to having no chance at the title and start next year’s car, he could be more in contention, if he chooses to do another year.
I like Vettel’s talent and enthusiasm, though he does seem hard on the equipment, and it’s great to see Webber doing well. Rubens is a great driver as well, but that car is not fast.
x2 on Webber doing well!It’s great to see him winning races.
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