Austin MotoGP 2013 in jeopardy? - Page 2

Mental Anarchist · March 9th, 2012, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by povol

I dont disagree, but, Spain has 4 races, and it is smaller than the state of Texas, much less the entire US. What they call countries in Europe, we call states. I run hot and cold on Indy. On one hand, the track sucks. It has no elevation changes, the facility is monstrous , and i hate the way they herd you and restrict fans from what would be prime viewing areas. On the other hand, the chill you get from just walking in the place with all its history would have to rank right up there. The facilities are wonderful, and the city is second to no one when it comes to handling large events.They have that shit down to a science. Traffic is no problem, food is good at reasonable prices for a race track. The city offers plenty of rooms and restaurants close to the track at VERY reasonable rates, no gouging . Law enforcement is friendly and will allow you to kick up your heels within reason, they understand you are dropping big money into their local economy.The downtown block part for bikes only is a great time, and then you have the Indy Mile flat track race that runs in conjunction with the GP weekend. All in all a very fun weekend.

Maybe Indy will make more sense the closer we get to Nasbike rules!

Although I haven't been there I can understand the history and hosting abilities. My issue is with the 3 races thing. I have been very vocal about Spain having nearly a 1/4 of the races and my belief that to improve, MotoGP must race in more countries so signing multi year contracts to race multiple races in one country delays building history in a new country.

The US is about the same size geographically as Australia so can we have 3 races too? China and India can have 4 each because they are big and have 4x the potential customers? Gonna be a long season!

Willski · March 9th, 2012, 01:39 PM

Sux if it doesn't happen. This was on my radar for next year ! Went to Austin a while back. Bet it would be a great place for a party and a bit of bike racing

Texas · March 10th, 2012, 03:32 AM

Here's another good writeup on Schwantz & the letter to COTA re: MotoGP rights...

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/raci...n-rights-wbsk/

AMA?

Oy.

Texas · March 10th, 2012, 12:08 PM

The deeper we dig into this story, the worse it looks for the COTA boys:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120310/F1/120319997

AutoWeek's Steven Cole Smith knocks another one out of the park.

Looks like COTA was trying an end-around on an already great contract in an attempt to sidestep Hellmund. Sound familiar? It gets better. It seems Epstein even went so far as to lie directly to Schwantz, claiming that he had offered Hellmund $10M for the MotoGP rights. Schwantz directly refutes that claim.

Quote:

So, as for MotoGP in Austin: An Autoweek request for an update from Schwantz was answered by a copy of a letter that Schwantz's personal assistant says was sent to COTA president Steve Sexton on Feb. 17.

In the letter, Schwantz said he spoke to Carmelo Ezpeleta, who is essentially the Bernie Ecclestone of MotoGP. The letter said Ezpeleta told Schwantz that Sexton had contacted the MotoGP promoter about “obtaining rights to a MotoGP race at Circuit of the Americas.” Schwantz points out in writing that the rights have already been granted—to Hellmund, Schwantz and Full Throttle—and therefore, such inquiries should be made to them, not Ezpeleta.

Perhaps even more notable, though, is that Schwantz claims Sexton indicated to Ezpeleta that COTA has attempted to buy the rights from Hellmund and Schwantz, and that they declined the offer, in an attempt to “overcharge Circuit of the Americas in exchange for transferring these rights,” Schwantz said in the letter. Schwantz wrote that COTA executives have variously said that COTA offered Full Throttle from $4 million to $17 million for the rights, “but that Mr. Hellmund declined. Bobby Epstein,” the chief financier of the project, “repeated these claims himself, directly telling me that he offered $10 million to Mr. Hellmund for these rights. You, I and Mr. Ezpeleta all know that such offers have not been made to Mr. Hellmund,” Schwantz wrote in the letter.

Schwantz also wrote that the “actions and misrepresentations made by Circuit of the Americas appear to be an attempt to interfere with the contractual relationships that currently exist between us and Full Throttle,” and that “any further attempts to interfere with the contractual relationships between the parties will be referred to my legal counsel.”

Bottom line, then: Schwantz and presumably Hellmund are claiming that COTA is trying an end run to get MotoGP rights, rather than honor the existing contract, which Schwantz wrote was “the most promoter-friendly contract in MotoGP racing,” and which, at the April 2011 announcement, seemed to please everyone within the organization.

Texas · April 3rd, 2012, 07:02 AM

Moto legend Kevin Schwantz was on Wind Tunnel Sunday night:

http://www.speedtv.com//video/wind-tunnel/...0556001/1#_vtop

He talked about MotoGP rule changes for 2012, about how Austin/COTA need the MotoGP race, & how they need to contact Hellmund for those rights.

Jumkie · April 3rd, 2012, 08:22 AM

Texas, thanks for all the updates.

Willski · April 3rd, 2012, 12:38 PM

I need this race to happen. I wanna go to Austin again.

Curve, any room at the Inn mate ?

Texas · April 3rd, 2012, 09:41 PM

No problem Jumkie...I have a new aerial to post in a minute, but first this:

Travis County Commissioners are ready to see COTA's Traffic & Emergency Plans.

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/...s-2281637.html

Quote:

Saying Formula One race organizers do not have solid plans for road closures, traffic management, emergency services among items related to the November event, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously asked Tuesday that those plans be in place by June 1. County staffers are expected to immediately send a letter to Circuit of the Americas officials, saying that they need to submit a traffic plan, a roadway plan, information for a mass-gathering permit, a public safety plan and a development permit, and send weekly letters citing any issues with the organizers adhering to the county's schedule, County Judge Sam Biscoe said in the commissioners' meeting Tuesday. The county also expects drafts for some of those plans by April 30.

Texas · April 3rd, 2012, 09:42 PM

Here's the latest COTA aerial photo, shot today from a jet departing ABIA. Tweeted by @cwerlin.

Texas · April 5th, 2012, 09:03 AM

Paul Mitchell? Patron?

Jon Paul DeJoria will speak at a ceremony April 12 commemorating the capping of the COTA pit building.

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/ne...milestone.html

Also, here's some registration info for any experienced Marshalls wanting to help out:

http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/volunteer

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March 9th, 2012, 01:39 PM	#12
Willski Senior Member Joined: Feb 2008 From: Here Posts: 3,182 Likes: 445 I Ride: I've got a bicycle	Sux if it doesn't happen. This was on my radar for next year ! Went to Austin a while back. Bet it would be a great place for a party and a bit of bike racing

March 10th, 2012, 03:32 AM	#13
Texas Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 294	Here's another good writeup on Schwantz & the letter to COTA re: MotoGP rights... http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/raci...n-rights-wbsk/ AMA? Oy.

April 3rd, 2012, 07:02 AM	#15
Texas Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 294	Moto legend Kevin Schwantz was on Wind Tunnel Sunday night: http://www.speedtv.com//video/wind-tunnel/...0556001/1#_vtop He talked about MotoGP rule changes for 2012, about how Austin/COTA need the MotoGP race, & how they need to contact Hellmund for those rights.

April 3rd, 2012, 08:22 AM	#16
Jumkie Senior Member Joined: Oct 2006 From: Your Mom's House Posts: 24,726 Likes: 3981	Texas, thanks for all the updates.

April 3rd, 2012, 12:38 PM	#17
Willski Senior Member Joined: Feb 2008 From: Here Posts: 3,182 Likes: 445 I Ride: I've got a bicycle	I need this race to happen. I wanna go to Austin again. Curve, any room at the Inn mate ?

April 3rd, 2012, 09:42 PM	#19
Texas Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 294	Here's the latest COTA aerial photo, shot today from a jet departing ABIA. Tweeted by @cwerlin.

April 5th, 2012, 09:03 AM	#20
Texas Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 294	Paul Mitchell? Patron? Jon Paul DeJoria will speak at a ceremony April 12 commemorating the capping of the COTA pit building. http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/ne...milestone.html Also, here's some registration info for any experienced Marshalls wanting to help out: http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com/volunteer