New York race a threat to Texas grand prix?
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| With dirt moved but nothing really built in Austin could that race be in jeopardy? |
Contrary to a report about construction ramping up at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack in southeastern Travis County, permits to build on foundations at the track have not been granted, a county official said today.
County officials in July issued permits for crews to lay foundations for a main grandstand, pit buildings, and media and medical buildings. Work has certainly picked up in recent weeks at the track, which is expected to host Formula One races beginning next year and MotoGP and Australian V8 Supercars starting in 2013.
Anna Bowlin, division director of Development Services for Travis County, today said the county has been working with circuit organizers to issue the next round of permits, and she was confident they will be issued soon.
The fire marshal’s office will also have to sign off on any buildings at the site. The American-Statesman has an open-records request pending with that office.
Circuit organizers are also working with the county on a plan to widen Elroy Road north and east of the track, Bowlin said.
Circuit officials were not available for a comment. The Statesman
10/25/11 (GMM) The addition of a second American formula one race will not affect the state funding of the 2012 US grand prix.
That is the claim of Texas comptroller Susan Combs, amid speculation the New York street race set for 2013 could endanger the $25m annually set aside for Austin's separate event on a purpose-built circuit.
"The New Jersey race has no bearing on the Austin race," said a spokesperson for Combs, according to the local American Statesman newspaper.
The spokesperson clarified that the funding would only be endangered if two events were scheduled in Texas.
But lawyer Bill Aleshire, an opponent of the Austin race, does not agree.
He said in a letter that the Circuit of the Americas will be "disqualified" from the state funding now that New York is also headed to the F1 schedule.
"By our state law, the Texas tax kickback is available if Texas has the only F1 US grand prix," he wrote.
The Circuit of the Americas declined to comment.