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美洲賽道
Austin Formula One circuit
位置美國得克薩斯州
特拉維斯縣奧斯丁近郊
主要賽事世界一級方程式錦標賽
世界摩托車錦標賽
世界耐力錦標賽
美國勒芒系列賽
彎道20
比賽單圈記錄1:39.347 ﹙塞巴斯蒂安·維特爾，紅牛車隊，2012﹚

美洲賽道（Circuit of the Americas，又稱亞美尼卡賽道）是位於美國得克薩斯州奧斯丁近郊的一條賽道，全長5.516千米，2012年11月18日，賽道舉辦了其首場賽事——2012年美國大獎賽[1]。

美洲賽道還將於2013年舉辦世界摩托車錦標賽得克薩斯大獎賽[2]澳大利亞V8超級跑車系列賽[3]，世界耐力錦標賽[4]以及美國勒芒系列賽[5]。

美洲賽道的興建計劃最初於2010年中提出，這將是美國首個為舉辦F1而建設的賽道。賽道的整體布局由美國站賽事推廣者塔沃·黑爾蒙德(Tavo Hellmund)和世界摩托車錦標賽冠軍凱文·施瓦茲（Kevin Schwantz）操刀設計[6]，而設計過多條F1賽道的德國建築師赫爾曼·提爾克(Hermann Tilke)也提供了技術協助。賽道的圍場、劇場、廣場等輔助設施則由Miró Rivera Architects公司設計完成。該賽道於2011年1月開工建設，並於2012年世界一級方程式錦標賽美國站開賽前完工。

賽道

建設

 
建設中的高達77米的觀賽塔樓

在2010年7月27日舉行的新聞發布會上，塔沃·黑爾蒙德宣布美洲賽道將在德克薩斯州特拉維斯縣的東南部建造，緊鄰奧斯丁，占地890英畝（3.6平方公里）。這塊建設用地處於未開發狀態，原計劃建造一個名為Wandering Creek的住宅小區[7]。在這個發布會上，黑爾蒙德還透露德州的億萬富翁萊德·麥庫姆斯（Red McCombs）是賽道的最大投資者。麥庫姆斯希望將建造地取名為「速度之城」（Speed City）[8]，然而地主已經預先將冠名權以七百萬美元的價格出售給了多個組織[9]。2011年4月12日，賽道被正式定名為美洲賽道[10]。 這條賽道的可行性報告於2010年12月17日提交給國際汽聯。根據報告，HKS公司和提爾克建築工程公司負責設計賽道，奧斯丁商業公司負責建設賽道。工程於2010年12月31日開始[11]，預計於2012年6月完工[12]。受停工命令的影響，竣工時間推遲到8月[13]。由於此地塊未進行過開發，建設開始前，施工方首先清除了此地的淤泥和雜草，並進行了土壤取樣[14]。

2011年1月21日，特拉維斯縣撥款90萬美元開始土地開發，並因應聯邦緊急事務管理署（FEMA）的要求為防洪預留土地[15]。28日，FEMA通過了這片土地的防災審核。

2012年1月，特拉維斯宣布將擴建該縣兩條主幹道之一的Elroy路，以滿足觀眾前往賽道的交通需求，並改善此路路基鬆軟，路面多凸起變形的現狀。[16]。

2012年6月13日，國際汽聯任命的賽事指導查理·懷汀（Charlie Whiting）表示他對賽道建設工程的進展感到滿意，並將於正賽開始前60天，也即9月25日進行最終的賽道驗收[17]。而後，賽道於9月按期竣工並通過驗收[18]。

賽道的第一層瀝青鋪築於8月3日完成[19]。8月14日，最後一層瀝青開始鋪築[20]，並於9月21日完工[21]。2012年10月21日，美國車手馬里奧·安德烈蒂駕駛着助他奪得1978年F1世界冠軍的蓮花79賽車（Lotus 79）繞場一周，標誌着美洲賽道的正式啟用[22]。

格局

在2010年8月22日的電視賽車節目Wind Tunnel中，塔沃·黑爾蒙德首次透露新賽道的長度將為5.5公里，包含20個彎道，高度差為41米。9月1日正式公布的規劃表明賽道設計受到歐式傳統的啟發，即根據地形勾勒賽道形狀。美洲賽道從幾條歐洲F1賽道中借鑑了經驗，包括銀石賽道的Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel連續彎角，霍根海姆賽道的arena彎道，以及伊斯坦布爾公園賽道的8號彎[23]。其他的彎角也受到了諸如因特拉各斯賽道的塞納彎和紅牛環道的Sebring-Auspuffkurve彎啟發[6]。 The spectator capacity of the course is estimated to be one hundred thousand with the use of permanent and temporary seating facilities.[24] One of the features of the circuit is a deliberate widening of the circuit in the corners, to encourage drivers to follow multiple racing lines.[25] A similar feature was used at the Buddh International Circuit in India, where the circuit widens on the approach to certain corners.

 
Hairpin Turn 11 before completion.

The circuit will be one of only a handful on the 2012 calendar to be run counter-clockwise, the others being Marina Bay, the Korea International Circuit, Yas Marina, and Interlagos. Because of this, the circuit contains more left-hand turns than right-hand ones, placing greater physical demands on the drivers whose bodies, particularly their necks, are more adapted to the lateral g-forces of clockwise circuits.

From the start line, the cars will climb to the first corner—the highest point of the circuit—with the apex of the corner positioned on the crest of the hill. They will descend back down the hill to navigate a series of fast sweepers modeled on Silverstone's Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel complex and through a blind corner at Turn 10, taking them to the far end of the circuit and a hairpin at Turn 11. The cars will then follow a 0.62-英里（1.00-公里） straight back towards the pit and paddock area before entering the final sector of the lap and weaving through a series of corners modeled on Hockenheim's stadium section. This will be followed by a downhill, multi-apex corner with limited run-off before the final two corners of the circuit, a pair of left-hand bends that return the cars to the main straight.

 
CoTA on Opening Day - Picture Shot from Parking Lot A

Reception

The reception from drivers ahead of the inaugural race was highly positive. Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton both praised the circuit, suggesting that it would be considerably more difficult to learn than other recent additions to the Formula One calendar.[26] Jenson Button described the first sector as "spectacular", but remarked that he felt that starting second would be better than starting first as the placement of pole position put it on a steeper incline than the rest of the grid.[27] Kamui Kobayashi, on the other hand, was less complimentary, claiming that he did not feel intimidated by the steep climb to the first corner as it was no different to Eau Rouge at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and accusing the media of hyping it up without precedent.[27] Mark Webber was also unimpressed, stating that while he enjoyed driving the first sector of the circuit, the second and third sectors were similar to other circuits on the calendar.[28]

Major features on site

Grand Plaza

Bordered by the track on three sides, the Grand Plaza is a 20英畝（0.081平方公里） space designed by Miró Rivera Architects of Austin, Texas that includes a large reflecting pool, lawn, and varying landscape zones. A promenade along the north side of the Grand Plaza hosts concessions, retail, restroom facilities, and entrances to spectator seating. From the southeast end of the Grand Plaza, two pedestrian bridges cross over turns 16 and 3 to provide access for visitors to other areas of the circuit complex.[29]

Observation Tower

 
Tower at COTA

Circuit of the Americas features a 251英尺（77公尺） observation tower designed by Miró Rivera Architects as a landmark for the venue. The structure of the tower consists of an elevator hoist-way surrounded by a double-helix staircase, both of which lead to an observation platform 230英尺（70公尺） above ground level. The platform provides a 360-degree panorama of the circuit, as well as views to downtown Austin, Texas. The observation platform, which is accessible to the public for an admission fee, can accommodate up to 75 visitors and features glass railings and a partial glass floor.[30] In addition, a "veil" consisting of 18 bright red steel tubes runs nearly the full height of the tower, acting as a canopy for both the observation platform and the stage below. The design of the observation tower was inspired by the visual imagery of sports cars and movement, and the red color was selected to mimic the streaks of lights trailing racecars at night.[31]

Tower Amphitheater

On July 23, 2012 COTA announced a booking agreement with Live Nation to book major concerts at an open air amphitheater to be built at the base of the observation tower. "The Tower Amphitheater", also designed by Miró Rivera Architects, is scheduled to be ready in early 2013.[32] The amphitheater will accommodate up to 15,000 people with roughly 6,500 fixed seats and a large grass seating area for general admission.[33]

Main Grandstand

The primary permanent seating at Circuit of the Americas is located within the Main Grandstand, designed by Miró Rivera Architects.[34] Above-ground construction on the grandstand began in March 2012, and the "topping out" occurred in June 2012 with completion in time for the inaugural United States Grand Prix.

 
Crowds at COTA on race day

The Main Grandstand is 65英尺（20公尺） tall, and has a capacity of approximately 9,000 spectators. The seating is divided into four levels: lower stands (~4,500 seats), loge boxes (~800 seats), upper stands (~2,900 seats), and suites (~800 capacity). The majority of seating is covered by a tensile fabric canopy. The primary structure is 500英尺（150公尺） long, while the lower risers extend an additional 500 feet. The grandstand also contains concessions, restrooms, offices, and two lounge spaces located at the second and third levels. The Velocity Lounge on the second level is approximately 6,500平方英尺（600平方公尺）, and contains the acrylic painting "Velocity" by Dallas-based artist Christopher Martin measuring 120英尺（37公尺） in length.[35]

Both the Main Grandstand and the concessions buildings in the Grand Plaza were conceived as a modular system consisting of several components that can be arranged according to need. The concessions, with banners and deep canopies, can be expanded with restrooms, permanent seating or suites. Inherent to this 「kit-of-parts」 construction system is flexibility allowing the site to grow and change.[36]

City endorsement and lawsuit

In order for the race to take place, the Austin city council was asked to be the sponsoring municipality for the event. Through being a sponsor, the city could apply for money from a state fund, the Major Events Trust Fund (METF), designed to attract major sporting events to Texas that would be used to pay the Formula One race sanctioning fee.[37] This matter was complicated by opponents of the project who filed a lawsuit against state comptroller Susan Combs, claiming that she had promised the funding to the circuit without having been legally authorized to do so,[38] though authorities have responded stating that all necessary guidelines had been followed. On July 1, 2011, a state district court judge declined to enter a temporary restraining order against Combs preventing payments from the METF. The attorney for the project's opponents has stated that he is unsure if they will continue pursuing the lawsuit.[39]

In June 2011, the Austin city council endorsed the United States Grand Prix by a vote of 5–2.[40] As a part of the endorsement, the sport will pay $15,000 in carbon offsets and $5 million to establish an on-site research project into environmentally friendly technologies.

Breach of contract and reinstatement

 
Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One's commercial rights holder.

In November 2011, Bernie Ecclestone expressed what he called "minor" doubt over the future of the United States Grand Prix in Austin after "disagreements inside the [management] company".[41] These issues were later confirmed when construction of the circuit came to a halt because of a dispute between the circuit owners, promoter Full Throttle Productions, and Formula One Management.[42] Promoter Tavo Hellmund admitted that his company had been in breach of its contract with Formula One Management since May 2011. The situation further escalated when state comptroller Susan Combs described the planned Grand Prix of America as a threat to the race in Texas, and said that the first $25 million payment from the state sports fund would only be made available after the first Grand Prix at the circuit, despite having previously promised to make the funds available in time for the inaugural event.[43] Bernie Ecclestone later issued an ultimatum to the owners and organizers: find a solution before the December 7 meeting of the FIA World Motorsport Council or else risk being removed from the 2012 calendar. Ecclestone emphasized that if the Circuit of the Americas were removed from the calendar, it would not be added again at a later date.

On December 7, 2011, the World Motorsport Council released the final calendar for the 2012 season, with the Circuit of the Americas retaining its November 18 date. Further details revealed that the race investors, McCombs and Epstein, had reached a new arrangement with Ecclestone, with work on the circuit scheduled to resume immediately.[44] As a part of the arrangement, organizers paid the sanctioning fee for the 2012 race one year in advance as a show of good faith.[45] At the time of the circuit's reinstatement, there were no reports supporting Tavo Hellmund's continued involvement under the new contract. On 4 March 2012, The Austin American-Statesman reported that Hellmund had launched legal proceedings against investors Bobby Epstein and Red McCombs, with Hellmund claiming that he was still a part of the management company and had not been paid since September.[46] Further details emerged, reporting that Hellmund was in the process of attempting to acquire Epstein's interest in the company, describing the condition of the circuit as of 4 March as "teetering".[47] Epstein responded to the lawsuit by stating that Hellmund had been found to have been in breach of contract by Formula One Management.[47]

In June 2012, the dispute between Hellmund and Epstein was reported to have been settled out of court.[48]

Dispute over planned MotoGP race

In April 2011, plans were unveiled by Tavo Hellmund of Full Throttle Productions and Kevin Schwantz of 3fourTexas for the circuit to host a round of the 2013 MotoGP World Championship, with the race to be known as the Texas Grand Prix.[10] The race was the brainchild of circuit co-designer Kevin Schwantz, who would serve as event promoter with his company, 3fourTexas. However, following the settlement of the lawsuit between Tavo Hellmund and Bobby Epstein, Schwantz announced that he would be suing Steve Sexton. Schwantz claimed that upon the resolution of the dispute between Hellmund and Epstein, Sexton moved to negotiate directly with MotoGP's commercial rights holder, Dorna Sports, ignoring what he claimed was an existing contract between Dorna and 3fourTexas to hold the race.[49] Circuit representatives denied that there was ever a contract between Schwantz and the Circuit of the Americas, and that his dispute was with Dorna Sports.[50] Dorna later claimed that although a contract for the race between Dorna and Schwantz had existed, the contract had been terminated in July 2012 as they believed Schwantz had failed to acquire the necessary rights from the circuit to hold the race.[51] Schwantz then accused Sexton and the Circuit of the Americas of "undermining" him, deliberately blocking his attempts to establish a race in order to have the contract terminated and allowing them to negotiate a more-favourable arrangement with Dorna.[52]

In October 2012, Dorna Sports announced that they had come to agreeable terms with organisers of the Texas motorcycle Grand Prix, including the race on the 2013 calendar as the Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas, but made no mention of the dispute with Schwantz or any outcome of it.[2]


參考資料

  1. ^ Doolittle, Dave. Inaugural Austin F1 race date confirmed as Nov. 18, 2012. Austin American-Statesman. August 31, 2011 [August 31, 2011]. （原始內容存檔於August 31, 2011）. 
  2. ^ 2.0 2.1 MotoGP to race in Texas in 2013 at the Circuit of The Americas. MotoGP.com (Dorna Sports). 3 October 2012 [3 October 2012]. 
  3. ^ Official: V8 Supercars Coming to Austin in 2013. autoblog.com (AOL Autos). June 30, 2011 [June 30, 2011]. 
  4. ^ Dagys, John. LE MANS: 2013 WEC Schedule Release. SpeedTV.com. Speed Channel. 28 September 2012 [28 September 2013]. 
  5. ^ ALMS: Series to Race at COTA in 2013. speedtv.com (SPEED). June 1, 2012 [June 1, 2012]. 
  6. ^ 6.0 6.1 Maher, John. Turn for turn, Austin track's design, layout should look familiar to F1 drivers. Austin-American Statesman. 23 April 2012 [23 April 2012]. 
  7. ^ Novak, Shonda. Future F1 site revealed. Austin American-Statesman. July 27, 2010 [July 27, 2010]. （原始內容存檔於January 30, 2011）. 
  8. ^ Maher, John. Red McCombs named investor in Austin Formula One project. Austin American-Statesman. July 27, 2010 [July 27, 2010]. （原始內容存檔於January 30, 2011）. 
  9. ^ Dexheimer, Eric. How much would Austin F1 track be worth in naming rights?. Austin American-Statesman. August 23, 2010 [January 30, 2011]. （原始內容存檔於January 30, 2011）. 
  10. ^ 10.0 10.1 Texas lands MotoGP from 2013. motogp.com (Dorna Sports). April 12, 2011 [September 15, 2012]. 
  11. ^ Noble, Jonathan. Construction begins at new US GP venue. Autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). December 31, 2010 [January 1, 2011]. 
  12. ^ Hinkle, Josh. Formula 1 groundbreaking date released. KXAN. July 19, 2010 [August 14, 2010]. 
  13. ^ Autosport http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97091.  缺少或|title=為空 (幫助)
  14. ^ Work starts on Austin track. SuperSport.com. December 31, 2010 [January 30, 2011]. （原始內容存檔於January 30, 2011）. 
  15. ^ Dexheimer, Eric. F1 to start moving dirt soon. Austin American-Statesman. January 24, 2011 [January 30, 2011]. （原始內容存檔於January 30, 2011）. 
  16. ^ Wear, Ben. Elroy Road to be widened, but not before first F1 race. Austin-American Statesman. January 9, 2012 [January 11, 2012]. 
  17. ^ Charlie Whiting happy with Circuit de the Americas' progress. Autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). 13 June 2012 [13 June 2012]. 
  18. ^ Cooper, Adam. Whiting Says COTA Ready For Formula One. SPEED Channel. Fox Sports. 26 September 2012 [26 September 2012]. 
  19. ^ First lap of tarmac laid at COTA. GP Update. 3 August 2012 [15 August 2012]. 
  20. ^ COTA begins final paving process. GP Update. 14 August 2012 [15 August 2012]. 
  21. ^ COTA Completes Track Pavement With Success. CircuitOfTheAmericas.com (Circuit of the Americas). 21 September 2012 [22 September 2012]. 
  22. ^ Circuit of the Americas. The first lap.. Circuit of the Americas. [23 October 2012]. 
  23. ^ Austin circuit layout revealed. formula1.com (Formula One Administration). September 1, 2010 [September 1, 2010]. 
  24. ^ Halbuer, Andreas. F1 course designer Tilke ready to start work on Austin track. Austin American Statesman. July 27, 2010 [August 14, 2010]. 
  25. ^ Sutton, Mark. F1 Texan style. ESPN F1 (ESPN Emea Ltd.). June 20, 2011 [June 22, 2011]. 
  26. ^ Collantine, Keith. F1 drivers have positive first impression of COTA. F1 Fanatic (Keith Collantine). 16 November 2012 [16 November 2012]. 
  27. ^ 27.0 27.1 Noble, Jonathan; Elizale, Pablo. United States GP: Jenson Button says Austin perfect showcase for F1. Autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). 15 November 2012. 
  28. ^ Collantine, Keith. Drivers praise COTA but race prospects aren’t good. F1 Fanatic (Keith Collantine). 17 November 2012 [17 November 2012]. But fellow Australian Mark Webber was not quite as fulsome in praise, pointing out that after the first sector it became much like any other modern circuit: 「It’s a pretty good track, it’s quick, especially the first sector which is quite full on, although sectors two and three are more traditional and similar to other tracks.」 
  29. ^ Formula 1 Facilities Look Fast and Fresh. EYES IN Architecture. 17 November 2012 [19 November 2012]. 
  30. ^ Scarlet cascade for observation tower. World Architecture News. 16 November 2012 [19 November 2012]. 
  31. ^ Bernstein, Fred A. A Towering Landmark for Formula One Track. The New York Times "Wheels" Blog. 15 November 2012 [19 November 2012]. 
  32. ^ Doolittle, Dave. Live Nation to book national touring concerts at circuit amphitheater. Austin-American Statesman. 23 July 2012 [6 September 2012]. 
  33. ^ Formula 1 Facilities Look Fast and Fresh. EYES IN Architecture. 17 November 2012 [19 November 2012]. 
  34. ^ Maher, John. Austin firm pushes to finish F1 track work. Austin-American Statesman. 12 January 2012 [6 September 2012]. 
  35. ^ Morgan, Kendall. Dallas artist Christopher Martin adds epic accent to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. CultureMap Dallas. 8 November 2012 [19 November 2012]. 
  36. ^ Formula 1 Facilities Look Fast and Fresh. EYES IN Architecture. 17 November 2012 [19 November 2012]. 
  37. ^ Toohey, Marty. Austin council delays vote on whether to endorse F1. Statesman.com (American Statesman). June 23, 2011 [June 25, 2011]. 
  38. ^ Saward, Joe. A lawsuit in America… how predictable. Joe Saward blogs about the world of F1 (Joe Saward). June 23, 2011 [June 23, 2011]. 
  39. ^ Dexheimer, Eric. Judge Rules against Formula One subsidy opponents. Austin-American Statesman. July 1, 2011 [July 4, 2011]. 
  40. ^ Austin sports news and Longhorns. Statesman.com. 2011-06-29 [2012-08-16]. 
  41. ^ Noble, Jonathan. Formula 1 chiefs to discuss 2012 calendar amid concerns over some races. Autosport (Haymarket Publications). November 1, 2011 [November 1, 2011]. 
  42. ^ Circuit of the Americas halts construction in contract dispute. F1 Fanatic. 2011-11-15 [2012-08-16]. 
  43. ^ Texas finance chief confirms New Jersey race threatens Austin eventJames Allen on F1 – The official James Allen website on F1. Jamesallenonf1.com. [2012-08-16]. 
  44. ^ News. The Austin Grand Prix. [2012-08-16]. 
  45. ^ "Formula One to return to U.S. at U.S. Grand Prix in Texas" USA Today. Retrieved Dec. 10, 2011.
  46. ^ Maher, John. F1 promoter sues other race investors. The Austin Statesman. 3 March 2012 [6 March 2012]. 
  47. ^ 47.0 47.1 Noble, Jonathan. Tavo Hellmund in legal dispute with Austin Grand Prix. Autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). 4 March 2012 [6 March 2012]. 
  48. ^ Benz, Kevin. Austin's Grand Prix lawsuit settled: Race day drama averted. Culturemap Austin. 9 June 2012 [10 June 2012]. 
  49. ^ Maher, John. Former MotoGP champ sues over rights to events. Austin-American Statesman. 7 September 2012 [15 September 2012]. 
  50. ^ Maher, John. Circuit of the Americas claims Schwantz lawsuit baseless. Austin-American Statesman. 8 September 2012 [15 September 2012]. 
  51. ^ MotoGP rights holder Dorna says it terminated contract with Schwantz in July. Austin-American Statesman. 12 September 2012 [15 September 2012]. 
  52. ^ Maher, John. Schwantz fires back at COTA, Dorna. Austin-American Statesman. 13 September 2012 [15 September 2012]. 

外部連結

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