The Formula 1 track near Austin, TX has officially been named Circuit of the Americas and will host MotoGP in 2013 in addition to hosting a Formula 1 race in 2012.
The 20-turn, 3.34 mile road course will have a capacity for 120,000 fans and will cost approximately $250 million.
The Circuit of the Americas master plan features a variety of permanent structures designed for business, education, entertainment and race use. The paddock building on race weekends, for example, will also serve as a 500-person banquet hall for events such as private or corporate dinners and nonprofit fundraising galas.
The main grandstand plan includes luxury suites that can be used for business entertaining; and with a capacity of nearly 750 people and a commercial kitchen and cafe, the media and conference center will host business conferences, seminars and receptions. During race weekends, it will convert into an international media center, accommodating the world's traveling press.
The date for next year's F1 race hasn't been determined.
Still skeptical? Well, given the relationship between the States and F1 in recent years, you can't be blamed for it.
USF1 was a massive bust, failing to reach the grid for the 2010 season and the last F1 race in the States was marred by the tire debacle at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (And F1 has already come and gone from Texas) Plus, county planners have previously said that there could be massive traffic jams heading to and from the race.
But the project looks like it's on the right track (construction is underway) and at this point it'd be a surprise if there wasn't Formula 1 racing in Texas in 2012. But weren't we saying the same things about USF1's existence just a couple years ago?
Dita Von Teese Rachel Nichols Dido Joss Stone Majandra Delfino
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