Austin track layout unveiled (for 2012 season)

Duke

Duke

Duke

Man of Honour
Joined
29 Jun 2003
Posts
34,579
Location
Wiltshire
Layout actually looks quite good. A few technical bits and a long straight with some gradient changes.

image1cdj.jpg


http://www.statesman.com/sports/formula1/promoter-unveils-f1-track-layout-890582.html

The 3.4-mile track has 20 turns, a maximum elevation change of 133 feet, a back straightaway that is three-quarters of a mile long and a width that will vary between 39 and 52 feet.

Hellmund said the F1 cars should be able to reach a top speed of 200 mph on the track.

He also estimated the cars might be roaring by the grandstand at 180 mph on their way to a tight, uphill corner at Turn 1, one of the highest points on the track. Hellmund said Turn 1 could be the circuit's signature corner and that it would also be one of the four designed spots to give drivers their best chance for passing, or overtaking as it's called in F1.
Click to expand...
 
Meh, he's set out worse designs than that. Just hope they can get it built.
 
Looks alright, if the track has some nice varied height changes it could work well. The problem with Tilke layouts is that generally they suck because they're so flat and wide!

An elevation change of 133ft sounds promising, if the technical parts of the track undulate it could be interesting to drive :)
 
PinkFloyd said:
Looks alright, if the track has some nice varied height changes it could work well. The problem with Tilke layouts is that generally they suck because they're so flat and wide!

An elevation change of 133ft sounds promising, if the technical parts of the track undulate it could be interesting to drive :)
Click to expand...

Yep the run off areas are not going away (due to FIA safety measures), but it would be good to have elevation changes and camber/off camber corners.
 
I don't get the whole fuss about excessive run offs, they clearly aren't 100% vital or we wouldn't have street circuits at all.
 
That first corner elevation looks awesome! Petty it wasn't the last corner as then the drivers could free wheel down it going WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE inside their helmet lol.

Blackvault
 
I agree! Looks like it might actually be able to host some decent racing... Your entry/exit to the long straight will be very important, and with a slow section before it, the cars will have a chance to get close and get in the tow. before the top hairpin!

*edit* - oh poo.. Its anti-clockwise.. I thought it was clockwise for some reason!
 
i see 2 passing places.

the first corner looks awsome though.

when ever they design a new track they should look at spa for ideas, its the best race circuit on the calander for a reason.
 
utajoker said:
i see 2 passing places.
Click to expand...

Not sure if you're saying that as a good thing or a bad thing. Seems alrite to me. Spa only reallly has 2 obvious places for F1 cars unless you count La Source which only really happens if someone makes a hash of the chicane before it!

Seems a fairly short lap so could be entertaining. Of-course I'm speculating, but on paper it should look nice with some interesting elevation changes and 2 decent straights!
 
Looks like an interesting circuit. T1 reminds me of the A1 ring, although I don't think the elevation was that pronounced there. Also the left/right/left/right section afterwards is very Suzuka-esque.

Anyone know if it's purpose built or is it all/part public roads?
 
PinkFloyd said:
Not sure if you're saying that as a good thing or a bad thing. Seems alrite to me. Spa only reallly has 2 obvious places for F1 cars unless you count La Source which only really happens if someone makes a hash of the chicane before it!

Seems a fairly short lap so could be entertaining. Of-course I'm speculating, but on paper it should look nice with some interesting elevation changes and 2 decent straights!
Click to expand...

2 obvious ones atleast, end of the 2 straights. hopefully there will be a couple more half chances that test how big a drivers nuts are.
 
Spunkey said:
T1 reminds me of the A1 ring, although I don't think the elevation was that pronounced there.
Click to expand...

Why is the A1 Ring not used for F1 these days? Always thought it was a nice track, some reasonable overtaking opportunities!
 
Will said:
Why is the A1 Ring not used for F1 these days? Always thought it was a nice track, some reasonable overtaking opportunities!
Click to expand...

Track is almost abandoned. There was no pit complex or grandstands - were demolished.

Red Bull wanted to use it for their own personal test track for a while, as Mateschitz owns it - those ideas seem to have died.

There may be some DTM events there as some rebuild work was happening. No idea on the current state of it now.
 
Im actually quite surprised by the design, and quite looking forward to seeing the first race there. The only part im not too happy about is the last 2 corners, they are just a bit plain and boring, they should have probably had a sweeping corner coming out of the multiplex down to the final corner or done something Hungry like with a long 180 onto the main straight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom