After a lengthy debate this afternoon the Austin City Council has endorsed the US GP and approved plans to address the environmental impact of the event. The motion was passed by 5:2.
The result is good news for Circuit of the Americas and the race promoters after their plans had been subject to major criticism in the light of a grant of $25m per year for 10 years from the Major Events Trust Fund, which will cover F1’s sanctioning fee.
While the two councillors who opposed the event emphasised that the money could be better spent elsewhere, others pointed out how much F1 visitors would spend and how much attention the race would bring to Austin.
One councillor – who has no interest in racing and admitted he didn’t even own a car – said “When thousands of people from around the world speak up and say we want to come and spend money in your city, that’s something we’ve got to think about.”
Austin’s mayor Lee Leffingwell pointed out that the funding in effect gave the state a say in the environmental matters pertaining to the race that it otherwise would not have had. He said: “This control was all given to us in return for our sponsorship and taking absolutely no financial risk.”
The intention is to use the track as a centre of research for green technologies.
One intriguing aspect of today’s debate was a discussion of the June 17 date, which is opposed because it’s in Austin’s ‘ozone period.’
Track representatives said they were doing everything they could to get an alternative autumn date, although they stressed that creating the F1 calendar was a complex matter.
Adam Cooper F1 
I e-mailed some of the counselors, glad to see they noticed how much interest there is. As far as the calendar goes, no doubt the promoters will want a later date for additional prep time as well.
I’m from central Texas where Austin is located and I’d like to thank everyone who sent in e-mails to the city council asking them for their support. It did make a difference.
Looking forward to sharing a drink or two with all my non-US F1 friends.