Austin set to copy famous F1 corners

Date published : 01 Sep 2010 - 12:44:25

The first plans for the new US Grand Prix circuit in Austin have emerged, with the layout set to take inspiration in its design from tracks including Silverstone and Istanbul Park. Race promoter Tavo Hellmund whose Full Throttle Productions firm in May secured the rights to host the revived American round on a 10-year deal has already promised an amazing track layout with fast corners when the brand-new facility joins on the Formula 1 calendar in 2012. And Hellmund has now disclosed details and a map of the track layout to the Austin American-Statesman newspaper, including the revelation that the track will pay homage to some of F1's most popular circuits. The track, which is being designed by F1's resident architect Hermann Tilke, is set to be 3.4-miles in length and have 20 corners, with a maximum elevation change of 133 feet and a top speed on the track of 200mph. Silverstone's sweeping Maggotts and Becketts complex is set to be mimicked in turns three-six, with the tight corners that make up Hockenheim's famous Stadium Section to be copied further round the lap. The newspaper also reports that the Austin circuit will attempt to create its own version of Istanbul Park's notoriously difficult triple-apex turn eight towards the end of the lap. "It will be similar to one gigantic turn," Hellmund said. However, Hellmund says his circuit will include its own signature' corner set to be an uphill run to a tight left-handed opening turn, one of which organisers hope will be four overtaking spots around the anti-clockwise layout. The promoter, who added that he didn't want to yet put a definitive date on when work on the track would start, predicted: "It should be nice. "I think drivers and fans should really like it." The venue is to be built on a 900-acre site in the south-eastern part of the city, near to Autin's international airport. In July Hellmund revealed wealthy Texan businessman Red McCombs as the project's main backer.